The Arabian Nights Entertainments, vol 1

The Arabian Nights
Entertainments vol. 1, by Anon.

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vol. 1, by Anon. (#1 in our series by Anon.)
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Title: The Arabian Nights Entertainments vol. 1
Author: Anon.

Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5664] [Yes, we are more than one
year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on August 5, 2002]
Edition: 10
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The "Aldine" Edition of
The Arabian Nights Entertainments Illustrated by S. L. Wood
FROM THE TEXT OF DR. JONATHAN SCOTT
In Four Volumes Volume 1 Only 500 copies of the Small Paper Edition
are printed for America, of which this is No. 217 London Pickering and
Chatto 1890

The Publishers' Preface.

This, the "Aldine Edition" of "The Arabian Nights Entertainments,"
forms the first four volumes of a proposed series of reprints of the
Standard works of fiction which have appeared in the English language.

It is our intention to publish the series in an artistic way, well
illustrating a text typographically as perfect as possible. The texts in all
cases will be carefully chosen from approved editions.
The series is intended for those who appreciate well printed and
illustrated books, or who are in want of a handy and handsome edition
of such works to place upon their bookshelves.
The exact origin of the Tales, which appear in the Arabic as "The
Thousand and One Nights," is unknown. The Caliph Haroon al
Rusheed, who, figures in so lifelike a manner in many of the stories,
was a contemporary of the Emperor Charlemagne, and there is internal
evidence that the collection was made in the Arabic language about the
end of the tenth century.
They undoubtedly convey a picturesque impression of the manners,
sentiments, and customs of Eastern Mediaeval Life.
The stories were translated from the Arabic by M. Galland and first
found their way into English in 1704, when they were retranslated from
M. Galland's French text and at once became exceedingly popular.
This process of double translation had great disadvantages; it induced
Dr. Jonathan Scott, Oriental Professor, to publish in 1811, a new
edition, revised and corrected from the Arabic.
It is upon this text that the present edition is formed.
It will be found free from that grossness which is unavoidable in a
strictly literal translation of the original into English; and which has
rendered the splendid translations of Sir R. Burton and Mr. J. Payne
quite unsuitable as the basis of a popular edition, though at the same
time stamping the works as the two most perfect editions for the
student.
The scholarly translation of Lane, by the too strict an adherence to
Oriental forms of expression, and somewhat pedantic rendering of the
spelling of proper names, is found to be tedious to a very large number

of readers attracted by the rich imagination, romance, and humour of
these tales.

The Arabian Nights Entertainments.

The chronicles of the Sassanians, ancient kings of Persia, who extended
their empire into the Indies, over all the adjacent islands, and a great
way beyond the Ganges, as far as China, acquaint us, that there was
formerly a king of that potent family, who was regarded as the most
excellent prince of his time. He was as much beloved by his subjects
for his wisdom and prudence, as he was dreaded by his neighbours, on
account of his velour, and well-disciplined troops. He had two sons; the
elder Shier-ear, the worthy heir of his father, and endowed with all his
virtues; the younger Shaw-zummaun, a prince of equal merit.
After a long and glorious reign, this king died; and Shier-ear mounted
his throne. Shaw-zummaun, being excluded from all share in the
government by the laws of