THE history of Persia is very like its land- scape,
high fertile crops isolated by surround- ing hills, where the mainroads of Asia run across the passes. These threads and this diversity are both well given in Professor Arberry's collection' to which he contributes an essay admirable in its imaginative vision. A history broken into so many facets lends itself to treatment by different authors : from the ancient Aryan world to Byzantium, from the Arab dynasties and those spilling eastward to India, to general interests of letters, sciences, carpets and gardens—the widespread variety, so fruitful in the civilisa- tion of the world, is handled by an excellent team, in love with their subject. Particularly at this moment of tension, it is good to remember that the Persians " in victory and defeat, but especially in defeat, have taught the world to live with dignity and pleasure, whether the dignity be emperor's or beggar's, whether the pleasure be of earth
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