political destruction in their original homes, Arabia, Egypt, and North
Africa; and these must suffice them as a Dar el Islam till better days
shall come. If the author can do anything to help them to preserve that
independence they may count upon him freely within the limits of his
strength, and he trusts to prove to them yet his sincerity in some
worthier way than by the publication of these first essays.

CAIRO, _January 15th, 1882_.




CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
CENSUS OF THE MOHAMMEDAN WORLD. THE HAJ 1

CHAPTER II.
THE MODERN QUESTION OF THE CALIPHATE 48

CHAPTER III.
THE TRUE METROPOLIS--MECCA 90

CHAPTER IV.
A MOHAMMEDAN REFORMATION 132

CHAPTER V.
ENGLAND'S INTEREST IN ISLAM 174