Chapter XXX

AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, AND COMMERCE OF THE EUROPEAN
MOSLEMS; THEIR MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND AMUSEMENTS

Disappearance of the Memorials of Arab
Civilization--Agricultural System of the Spanish
Moors--Its Wonderful Perfection--Irrigating
Apparatus--The Tribunal of the Waters--The Work of
Ibn-al-Awam--Universal Cultivation of the Soil--Mineral
Resources of the Peninsula--Manufactures--The Great
Moslem Emporiums of the Mediterranean--Commerce--Its
Extensive Ramifications--Articles of Traffic--Commercial
Prosperity of Sicily--The Magnetic Needle--Gunpowder
and Artillery--War--Coinage--Characteristics of the
Khalifs--Demoralization of the People--The Bath--General
Prevalence of Superstition--Social Life of the
Moslems of Europe--Privileges of Women--Polygamy and
Morals--Slavery--Amusements--The Game of Chess--Other
Pastimes--Dances--Music--Equestrian Sports--The
Bull Fight--The Tilt of Reeds--The Course of the
Rings--Hawking--Peculiarities of Hispano-Arab
Civilization--The Crusades--Their Effect on
Christendom--Unrivalled Achievements of the Moors in
Europe--Conclusion 595

HISTORY

OF THE

MOORISH EMPIRE IN EUROPE