Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/25

xiv Eggeling, librarian to the Royal Asiatic Society, through whose courtesy I have been enabled to refer to books the want of which I much regretted while abroad.

In conclusion, I would express my sincere hope that those who read the following pages may enjoy in their perusal some portion of the pleasure I have experienced in their translation. And I beg that if any charm be found in these tales, it may be ascribed to the fascination of the Arabic language; and that all defects may be attributed, not to want of will, but to want of power in the Translator.

ALICE M. CLERK.

March, 1873.