On his deathbed, Gabriel comes with messages of condolence and inquiry from the Lord, and offers him life and health, should he desire it. Again he comes, accompanied by Azrael the angel of death, whom Fatima, taking to be an Arab, refuses to admit. Gabriel tells the Prophet that Azrael was to obey his every order, and either take his spirit or retire at once, as he preferred. Mohammed, in consternation, applies for counsel to Gabriel, who pictures to him the glories of Paradise, "the black-eyed houries adorned from head to foot, waiting in expectation of his glorious approach." Mohammed, re-assured by these exciting prospects, gives command to Azrael, and dies.

Till the hour of his burial, a thick darkness overspread Medina, so that one could not see his hand or his neighbour's face.¹ When Abbas lifted up the winding sheet, the lips of the deceased were seen to move and to repeat the same prayer for his people, as that which issued from his lips when newly born. The angels offered to convey his body to Paradise, but Mohammed preferred not to be separated from his fellows whom he had come to save; a fact which is thus improved:—

We have already trespassed too far, but one other extract we must add:—