a physician, was born at Bagdad in the 357th year of the Hegira, A.D. 1161. Having been educated with the greatest care by his father, who was himself a man of learning, and resided in a capital which abounded with the best opportunities of instruction, he early distinguished himself not only by proficiency in rhetoric, history, and poetry, but also in the more severe studies of Mohammedan theology. To the acquirement of medical knowledge he applied with especial diligence; and it was chiefly with this view that, in his 28th year, he left Bagdad, in order to visit other countries. At Moful, in Mesopotamia, whither he first directed his course, he found the attention of the students entirely confined to the chemistry of that day, with which he was already sufficiently acquainted. Having spent a year at Moful, he removed to Damascus in Syria, where the grammarian Al Kindi then enjoyed the highest reputation; and with whom he is said to have engaged in a controversy on some subjects of grammar and philology, which terminated in favour of Abdollatiph.

At this time, Egypt had yielded to the arms of Saladin, who was marching against Palestine for the purpose of wresting that country from the hands of the Christians; yet towards Egypt Abdollatiph was irresistibly impelled by that literary curiosity which so strongly marked his character. To the successful prosecution of this journey, the consent and patronage of the sultan were indispensably necessary: but when the Arabian physician arrived at the camp near Acca, (the ancient Ptolemais, now Acre) to solicit his powerful protection, he found the Saracens bewailing a defeat which they had recently experienced; a defeat so honourable to the skill and valour of our English Richard, that nothing less than the late matchless defence of this fortress, by a handful of British footmen and marines, could have detracted from its importance, or eclipsed its glory. Hence the lofty spirit of the sultan was plunged into a morbid melancholy, which excluded the traveller from his presence; but the favours which he received convinced the munificence of Saladin, and he persisted in his design of exploring the wonders of Egypt. One strong inducement which influenced him on this occasion, was the instruction which he hoped to derive from the society of the celebrated Maimonides; and by Al Kadi Al Fadel, who had earnestly but unavailingly solicited him to return to Damascus, he was furnished with such recommendations as procured for him the most flattering reception at Cairo. His talents and his virtues confirmed and increased the kindness with which he was welcomed on his first arrival; and the Egyptians of the highest rank continued to vie with each other in cultivating his friendship.

From this intercourse, however, with the great and the learned, Abdollatiph withdrew, in order to present himself before the sultan; who, having concluded a truce with the Franks, then resided in the Holy City. Here he was received by Saladin with every expression of esteem for his character and attainments. To a dignified patience, and condescending freedom, this prince is said to have added a munificent liberality in the patronage of science and of art; and of this fact, indeed, we have a laudable instance in the pension which he granted to Abdellatip, and which amounted to 30 dinars per month. After the death of the sultan, this sum was raised by his sons to 100 dinars, till the ambition of their uncle forced them from the throne of Egypt and of Syria; and thus was our traveller compelled to resort again to Damascus, after a short abode at Jerusalem: where his lectures, and his treaties, were equally the objects of general admiration.

In the capital of Syria, his pursuits were of the same nature, and attended with similar success. His practice as a physician was extensive. To the students in the college of Al Aziz, he freely communicated the ample stores of his cultivated mind; and in the works which he composed on the principles of medicine, he displayed that depth of research and that felicity of illustration, which are the rare effects of genius combined with diligence, judgment, and erudition.

Such is the testimony given to the exertions of our author; and it is added that they were rewarded at Damascus not with fame alone, but also with riches. Yet neither the applause of the wise nor the patronage of the wealthy had power to detain him, when other scenes or other society promised to gratify his curiosity, or to increase his knowledge. On this account, probably, he left Damascus, and, after having visited Aleppo, resided several years in Greece. With the same view he travelled through Syria, Armenia, and Asia Minor, still adding to the number of his works; many of which he dedicated to the princes whose courts he visited, or whose subjects he laboured to instruct.

After having thus enriched his own mind, and contributed so effectually to the improvement of others, sentiments of devotion induced him to undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca. In the mean time, however, he seems to have experienced the full force of that desire, which in the native of Switzerland has often been known to supersede every other,—the desire of once more beholding the place which gave him birth. He wished also to present the fruits of his travels, and of his studies, to the caliph Al Moftaner Billah. He therefore eagerly journeyed towards Bagdad, which, after so long an absence, he no doubt beheld with emotions of tender exultation;—but all his hopes were disappointed: Scarcely had he reached his native city, when he was suddenly taken ill, and died in his 63rd year, A.D. 1223. Of 150 treatises which he composed on various subjects of medicine, natural philosophy, and polite literature, only one, entitled Historiae Aegypti Compendium, has survived the ravages of time. This manuscript, the only one which has been discovered, was brought to Europe by the celebrated orientalist Poecocke, and is now preserved in the Bodleian library. Dr White of Oxford published an edition of the original Arabic, with an elegant Latin version in 4to, in 1800. (Month. Rev.)