The first of a series of Arabic readings, given by Mr. J. R. Jewett, of the Semitic department, took place in Sever 11 last night. The subject was a historial novel called "Antar, a Bedouin Romance," written during the reign of Haroun all Raschid, and, as it is 4,000 pages long, only selected translations could be given. This poem depicts the wild life of the desert, such as the Iliad affords us of the life of the ancient Greeks. Antar was a real character, and his fame as a warrior and poet was long preserved by tradition. Singlehanded he put hundreds to flight, and with a few followers dispersed the armies of Chosroes, King of Persia. The field of Arabic poetry is comparatively unknown even to the most cultivated, and this attempt to bring it within the reach of the public is most welcome. Mr. Jewett is a recent graduate, who has just returned from a stay of three years in Egypt and Syria, where he has been studying the Semitic languages. He has been appointed instructor to supply the place of Professor Toy, and his great knowledge of the language enables him to preserve the charm and spirit of the original unimpaired.
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