The Persian Romance which forms the staple of this little volume is generally considered as be-
longing to the Sindibad cycle of tales. ~ It has for ages been. popular in the East, though to
the average English reader the very name of Prince Bakhtyar Nama is unknown.

The Persians, like all Eastern nations, remarks Sir John Malcolm, “ delight in Tales, Fables,
and Apothegms; the reason of which appears obvious: for where liberty is unknown, and where power in all its shapes is despotic, knowledge must be veiled to be useful.” The ancient Persians also had their Tales and Romances, the substance of many of which is probably -embodied in the celebrated S/15/: Néma, or Book of Kings, of Firdausi.