[Footnote 46: Abulfeda (p. 184, 189) describes the splendor
and liberality of Almamon. Milton has alluded to this
Oriental custom: -
Or where the gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on
her kings Barbaric pearls and gold.
I have used the modern word lottery to express the word of
the Roman emperors, which entitled to some prize the person
who caught them, as they were thrown among the crowd.]