CIIAP. 1.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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also; as the site of the Temple, the dwellings ofDavid and Solomon, the Almighty’s chosen place,illustrious for prophets, saints, and miracles. There-fore it was that Omar left them a sort of religiousliberty, though the Christians had to hide theircrosses, ring no more bells, nor retain any exteriorsign of being dominant; but allow of building thatextensive mosque, that in some sort stands stillwhere the Temple once stood. The Christians couldnot be pleased ; but Omar’s moderation mitigatedthe fanaticism of his co-religionists.

After his death, his children imitated him; noris it improbable the caliph might have thought itpolitic to keep on good terms with the westernemperors, and thus prevent the Franks from sidingwith Constantinople against him. So Bagdad be-came the peaceful resort of the arts and sciences,and held that the progress of reason showed theelect of God. The manners of the chiefs of Islambecoming gentler from that enlightening of theirminds, and Haroun el Rascid, and caliphs of hisnoble stamp, were finally rendered far moretolerant than Omar himself. Jerusalem enjoyedquiet, while Rome was plundered by the Saracens,at which period it is on record that the capital ofPalestine could vaunt of twelve hostelries, and asmany libraries belonging to the Latin hospitium

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