diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 03:02:51 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 03:02:51 -0800 |
| commit | 451d9b2059b10977473f1d123cdaa99f3de2a644 (patch) | |
| tree | 027ae6746b7388765681535badcb32361767a76c | |
| parent | 00aefe277810e3334691c2044d80107d7fd9d8f7 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-0.txt | 2313 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-0.zip | bin | 51521 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-h.zip | bin | 239386 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-h/62868-h.htm | 3374 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 111238 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-h/images/frontispiece.jpg | bin | 73064 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62868-h/images/line.jpg | bin | 1029 -> 0 bytes |
10 files changed, 17 insertions, 5687 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..84d8124 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #62868 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62868) diff --git a/old/62868-0.txt b/old/62868-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c9f459f..0000000 --- a/old/62868-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2313 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Oriental tales, for the entertainment of -youth, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth - Selected from the most eminent English writers - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: August 6, 2020 [EBook #62868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIENTAL TALES FOR ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH *** - - - - -Produced by Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: FRONTISPIECE - -“A certain Cham of Tartary going a progress with his nobles, was met by -a Dervise, who cried with a loud voice,”—“Whoever will give me a hundred -pieces of gold, I will give him a piece of advice.”——Page 13.] - - - - - ORIENTAL TALES, - FOR THE - _ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH_: - - SELECTED FROM THE - MOST EMINENT ENGLISH WRITERS. - - _LONDON_: - PRINTED AND SOLD BY R. HARRILD, - _No. 20, Great Eastcheap_. - 1814 - - - - -ORIENTAL TALES. - - - - -THE MERCHANT AND HIS SONS. - - -A certain merchant had two sons, the eldest of whom was of so bad a -disposition as to behave with great hatred and ill-nature towards the -younger, who was of a temper more mild and gentle. It happened that the -old gentleman, after having acquired a large estate by his trade, left it -by his will to his eldest son, together with all his ships and stock in -merchandize, desiring him to continue in the business, and support his -brother. - -The father was no sooner dead than the elder began to shew his ill-will -to his brother. He desired him to leave his house, and, without giving -him any thing for his support, turned him loose into the wide world. The -young man was much dejected with this treatment; but, considering that -in his father’s life-time he had acquired some knowledge of business, he -applied to a neighbouring merchant, offering to serve him in the way of -trade. - -The merchant received him into his house, and finding from long -experience that he was prudent, virtuous, and diligent in his business, -gave him his daughter and only child in marriage, and, when he died, -bequeathed to him his whole fortune. The young man, after the death of -his father-in-law, retired with his wife into a distant part of the -country, where he purchased a fine estate, with a splendid dwelling; and -there he lived with great credit and reputation. - -The elder brother, after the father’s death, for some time had great -success in trade. At length, however, a violent storm tore to pieces many -of his ships, which were coming home richly laden. About the same time -some persons failing, who had much of their money in his hands, he was -reduced to great want. To complete his misfortunes, the little which he -had left at home was consumed by a sudden fire, which burnt his house, -and every thing in it; so that he was brought into a state of beggary. - -In this forlorn condition, he had no other resource to keep himself from -starving than to wander up and down the country, imploring the assistance -of well-disposed persons. It happened one day, that having travelled many -miles, and obtained but little relief, he saw a gentleman walking in the -fields, not far from a fine seat. To this gentleman he addressed himself, -and having laid before him his misfortunes and his present necessitous -condition, he earnestly entreated him to grant him some assistance. The -gentleman, who happened to be no other than his own brother, did not -at first know him; but after some discourse with him, he perceived who -he was. At first, however, he did not make it appear that he had any -knowledge of him, but brought him home, and ordered his servants to take -care of him, and furnish him for that night with lodgings and victuals. - -In the mean time he resolved to discover himself to his brother next -morning, and offer him a constant habitation in his house, after he had -got the consent of his wife to the proposal. Accordingly, next morning, -he ordered the poor man to be sent for. When he was come into his -presence, he asked if he knew him. The poor man answered, he did not. I -am, said he, bursting into tears, your only brother! and immediately fell -on his neck, and embraced him with great tenderness. The elder, quite -astonished at this accident, fell to the ground, and began to make many -excuses, and to beg pardon for his former cruel behaviour. To whom the -other answered, “Brother, let us forget those things; I heartily forgive -you all that is past; you need not range up and down the world; you shall -be welcome to live with me.” He readily accepted the proposal, and they -lived together with great comfort and happiness till death. - - - - -STORY OF MENCIUS. - - -As Mencius, the philosopher, was travelling in pursuit of wisdom, -night overtook him at the foot of a gloomy mountain, remote from the -habitations of men. Here, as he was straying, (while rain and thunder -conspired to make solitude still more hideous) he perceived a hermit’s -cell, and approaching, asked for shelter. “Enter,” cries the hermit in a -severe tone; “men deserve not to be obliged; but it would be imitating -their ingratitude to treat them as they deserve. Come in: examples of -vice may sometimes strengthen us in the ways of virtue.” - -After a frugal meal, which consisted of roots and tea, Mencius could not -repress his curiosity to know why the hermit had retired from mankind, -whose actions taught the truest lessons of wisdom. “Mention not the -name of man,” cried the hermit with indignation; “here let me live -retired from a base ungrateful world; here, in the forest I shall find -no flatterers. The lion is an open enemy, and the dog a faithful friend; -but man, base man, can poison the bowl, and smile when he presents it.” -“You have then been used ill by mankind?” interrupted the philosopher -drily. “Yes,” replied the hermit; “on mankind I have exhausted my whole -fortune; and this staff, that cup, and those roots, are all that I have -in return.”—“Did you bestow your fortune among them, or did you only -lend it?” returned Mencius. “I bestowed it, undoubtedly,” replied the -other; “for where were the merit of being a money lender?”—“Did they -ever own that they received your benefits?” still adds the philosopher. -“A thousand times,” cries the hermit; “they every day loaded me with -professions of gratitude for favours received, and solicitations for -future ones.”—“If, then, (says Mencius smiling) you did not lend -your fortune in order to have it returned, it is injustice to accuse -them of ingratitude; they owned themselves obliged; you expected no -more; and they certainly earn a favour who stoop to acknowledge the -obligation.”—The hermit was struck with the reply; and, surveying -his guest with emotion, “I have heard of the great Mencius, and thou -certainly art the man. I am now fourscore years old, but still a child -in wisdom; take me back to the world, and educate me as one of the most -ignorant, and youngest, of thy disciples.” - - - - -THE STORY OF SCHACABAC. - - -Schacabac being reduced to great poverty, and having eat nothing for two -days together, made a visit to a noble Barmecide, in Persia, who was very -hospitable, but withal a great humourist.—The Barmecide was sitting at -his table, that seemed ready covered for an entertainment. Upon hearing -Schacabac’s complaint, he desired him to sit down and fall on. He then -gave him an empty plate, and asked him how he liked his rice-soup. -Schacabac, who was a man of wit, and resolved to comply with the -Barmecide in all his humours, told him it was admirable, and at the same -time, in imitation of the other, lifted up the empty spoon to his mouth -with great pleasure. The Barmecide then asked him if he ever saw whiter -bread? Schacabac, who saw neither bread nor meat, If I did not like it, -you may be sure, says he, I should not eat so heartily of it. You oblige -me mightily, replied the Barmecide, pray let me help you to this leg of -goose. Schacabac reached out his plate, and received nothing on it with -great chearfulness. As he was eating very heartily of this imaginary -goose, and crying up the sauce to the skies, the Barmecide desired him to -keep a corner of his stomach for a roasted lamb, fed with pistachio-nuts, -and after having called for it, as though it had really been served up, -Here is a dish, says he, that you will see at nobody’s table but my own. -Schacabac was wonderfully delighted with the taste of it, which is like -nothing, says he, I ever eat before. Several other nice dishes were -served up in idea, which both of them commended, and feasted on after the -same manner. This was followed by an invisible desert, no part of which -delighted Schacabac so much as a certain lozenge, which the Barmecide -told him was a sweet-meat of his own invention. Schacabac at length, -being courteously reproached by the Barmecide, that he had no stomach, -and that he eat nothing, and at the same time being tired with moving his -jaws up and down to no purpose, desired to be excused, for that really -he was so full that he could not eat a bit more. Come, then, says the -Barmecide, the cloth shall be removed, and you shall taste of my wines, -which I may say, without vanity, are the best in Persia. He then filled -both their glasses out of an empty decanter. Schacabac would have excused -himself from drinking so much at once, because he said he was a little -quarrelsome in his liquor; however, being prest to it, he pretended -to take it off, having before-hand praised the colour, and afterwards -the flavour. Being plied with two or three other imaginary bumpers of -different wines equally delicious, and a little vexed with this fantastic -treat, he pretended to grow fluttered, and gave the Barmecide a good -box on the ear; but immediately recovering himself, Sir, says he, I beg -ten thousand pardons, but I told you before, that it was my misfortune -to be quarrelsome in my drink. The Barmecide could not but smile at the -humour of his guest, and instead of being angry with him, I find, says -he, thou art a complaisant fellow, and deservest to be entertained in my -house. Since thou canst accommodate thyself to my humour, we will now -eat together in good earnest. Upon which calling for his supper, the -rice-soup, the goose, the pistachio-lamb, the several other nice dishes, -with the desert, the lozenges, and all the variety of Persian wines, were -served up successively one after another; and Schacabac was feasted, in -reality, with those very things which he had before been entertained -within imagination. - - - - -HAMET AND RASCHID. - - -When the plains of India were burnt up by a long continuance of drought, -Hamet and Raschid, two neighbouring shepherds, faint with thirst, stood -at the common boundary of their grounds, with their flocks and herds -panting round them, and in extremity of distress prayed for water. -On a sudden the air was becalmed, the birds ceased to chirp, and the -flocks to bleat. They turned their eyes every way, and saw a being of -mighty stature advancing through the valley, whom they knew upon his -nearer approach to be the Genius of Distribution. In one hand he held -the sheaves of plenty, and in the other, the sabre of destruction. -The shepherds stood trembling, and would have retired before him; but -he called to them with a voice gentle as the breeze that plays in the -evening among the spices of Sabæa: “Fly not from your benefactor, -children of the dust! I am come to offer you gifts, which only your own -folly can make vain. You here pray for water, and water I will bestow; -let me know with how much you will be satisfied: speak not rashly; -consider, that of whatever can be enjoyed by the body, excess is no less -dangerous than scarcity. When you remember the pain of thirst, do not -forget the danger of suffocation. Now, Hamet, tell me your request.” - -“O Being, kind and beneficent,” says Hamet, “let thine eye pardon my -confusion. I entreat a little brook, which in summer shall never be dry, -and in winter never overflow.” “It is granted,” replies the Genius; and -immediately he opened the ground with his sabre, and a fountain bubbling -up under their feet, scattered its rills over the meadows; the flowers -renewed their fragrance, the trees spread a greener foilage, and the -flocks and herds quenched their thirst. - -Then turning to Raschid, the Genius invited him likewise to offer his -petition. “I request,” says Raschid, “that thou wilt turn the Ganges -through my grounds, with all his waters, and all their inhabitants.” -Hamet was struck with the greatness of his neighbour’s sentiments, and -secretly repined in his heart, that he had not made the same petition -before him; when the Genius spoke, “Rash man, be not insatiable! -remember, to thee that is nothing which thou canst not use; and how are -thy wants greater than the wants of Hamet?” Raschid repeated his desire, -and pleased himself with the mean appearance that Hamet would make in the -presence of the proprietor of the Ganges. The Genius then retired towards -the river, and the two shepherds stood waiting the event. As Raschid was -looking with contempt upon his neighbour, on a sudden was heard the roar -of torrents, and they found by the mighty stream that the mounds of the -Ganges were broken. The flood rolled forward into the lands of Raschid, -his plantations were torn up, his flocks overwhelmed, he was swept away -before it, and a crocodile devoured him. - - - - -THE CHAM AND THE DERVISE. - - -A certain Cham of Tartary going a progress with his nobles, was met by -a Dervise, who cried with a loud voice, _whoever will give me a hundred -pieces of gold, I will give him a piece of advice_. The Cham ordered him -the sum: upon which the Dervise said, _begin nothing of which thou hast -not well considered the end_. - -The courtiers upon hearing this plain sentence, smiled, and said with -a sneer, “The dervise is well paid for his maxim.” But the king was so -well satisfied with the answer, that he ordered it to be written in -golden letters in several places of his palace, and engraved on all his -plate. Not long after, the king’s surgeon was bribed to kill him with a -poisoned lancet at the time he let him blood. One day, when the king’s -arm was bound, and the fatal lancet in the surgeon’s hand, he read on -the bason, _begin nothing of which thou hast not well considered the -end_. He immediately started, and let the lancet fall out of his hand. -The king observed his confusion, and enquired the reason: the surgeon -fell prostrate, confessed the whole affair, and was pardoned, and the -conspirators died. The Cham, turning to his courtiers who heard the -advice with contempt, told them, “that counsel could not be too much -valued, which had saved a king’s life.” - - - - -THE STORY OF OMAR. - - -Omar, the hermit of the mountain Aubukabis, which rises on the east of -Mecca, and overlooks the city, found one evening a man sitting pensive -and alone, within a few paces of his cell. Omar regarded him with -attention, and perceived that his looks were wild and haggard, and that -his body was feeble and emaciated: the man also seemed to gaze stedfastly -on Omar; but such was the abstraction of his mind, that his eye did not -immediately take cognizance of its object. In the moment of recollection -he started as from a dream, he covered his face in confusion, and bowed -himself to the ground.—“Son of affliction,” said Omar, “who art thou, -and what is thy distress?” “My name,” replied the stranger, “is Hassan, -and I am a native of this city: the Angel of adversity has laid his hand -upon me; and the wretch whom thine eye compassionates, thou canst not -deliver.” “To deliver thee,” said Omar, “belongs to Him only, from whom -we should receive with humility both good and evil; yet hide not thy life -from me; for the burthen which I cannot remove, I may at least enable -thee to sustain.” Hassan fixed his eyes upon the ground, and remained -some time silent; then fetching a deep sigh, he looked up at the hermit, -and thus complied with his request. - -It is now six years since our mighty lord the Calif Almalic, whose -memory be blessed, first came privately to worship in the temple of the -holy city. The blessings which he petitioned of the Prophet, as the -Prophet’s vicegerent, he was diligent to dispense; in the intervals of -his devotion, therefore, he went about the city, relieving distress, -and restraining oppression: the widow smiled under his protection, and -the weakness of age and infancy was sustained by his bounty. I, who -dreaded no evil but sickness, and expected no good beyond the reward of -my labour, was singing at my work, when Almalic entered my dwelling. -He looked round with a smile of complacency; perceiving that though -it was mean, it was neat, and that though I was poor, I appeared to -be content. As his habit was that of a pilgrim, I hastened to receive -him with such hospitality as was in my power; and my cheerfulness was -rather increased than restrained by his presence. After he had accepted -some coffee, he asked me many questions; and though by my answers I -always endeavoured to excite him to mirth, yet I perceived that he grew -thoughtful, and eyed me with a placid but fixed attention. I suspected -that he had some knowledge of me, and therefore inquired his country and -his name. “Hassan,” said he, “I have raised thy curiosity, and it shall -be satisfied: he who now talks with thee is Almalic, the sovereign of -the faithful, whose seat is the throne of Medina, and whose commission -is from above.” These words struck me dumb with astonishment, though I -had some doubt of their truth: but Almalic, throwing back his garment, -discovered the peculiarity of his vest, and put the royal signet upon his -finger. I then started up, and was about to prostrate myself before him, -but he prevented me: “Hassan,” said he, “forbear; thou art greater than -I, and from thee I have at once derived humility and wisdom.” I answered, -“Mock not thy servant, who is but as a worm before thee; life and death -are in thy hand, and happiness and misery are the daughters of thy -will.” “Hassan,” he replied, “I can no otherwise give life or happiness -than by not taking them away: thou art thyself beyond the reach of my -bounty, and possessed of felicity which I can neither communicate nor -obtain.—My influence over others fills my bosom with perpetual solicitude -and anxiety; and yet my influence over others extends only to their -vices, whether I would reward or punish. By the bow-string, I can repress -violence and fraud; and by the delegation of my power, I can transfer the -insatiable wishes of avarice and ambition from one object to another; -but with respect to virtue, I am impotent: if I could reward it, I would -reward it in thee. Thou art content, and hast therefore neither avarice -nor ambition: to exalt thee, would destroy the simplicity of thy life, -and diminish that happiness which I have no power either to increase -or continue.” He then rose up, and, commanding me not to disclose his -secret, departed. - -As soon as I recovered from the confusion and astonishment in which the -Calif left me, I began to regret that my behaviour had intercepted his -bounty; and accused of folly, that cheerfulness which was the concomitant -of poverty and labour. I now repined at the obscurity of my station, -which my former insensibility had perpetuated: I neglected my labour, -because I despised the reward; I spent the day in idleness, forming -romantic projects to recover the advantages which I had lost; and at -night, instead of losing myself in that sweet and refreshing sleep, from -which I used to rise with new health, cheerfulness, and vigour, I dreamt -of splendid habits and a numerous retinue, of gardens, palaces, eunuchs, -and women, and waked only to regret the illusions that had vanished. My -health was at length impaired by the inquietude of my mind; I sold all -my moveables for subsistence: and reserved only a mattrass, upon which I -sometimes lay from one night to another. - - - - -THE STORY OF OMAR. - -(CONCLUDED.) - - -In the first moon of the following year, the Calif came again to Mecca, -with the same secrecy, and for the same purposes. He was willing once -more to see the man, whom he considered as deriving felicity from -himself. But he found me, not singing at my work, ruddy with health, and -vivid with cheerfulness; but pale and dejected, sitting on the ground, -and chewing opium, which contributed to substitute the phantoms of -imagination for the realities of greatness. He entered with a kind of -joyful impatience in his countenance, which, the moment he beheld me, was -changed to a mixture of wonder and pity. I had often wished for another -opportunity to address the Calif; yet I was confounded at his presence, -and throwing myself at his feet, I laid my hand upon my head, and was -speechless. “Hassan,” said he, “what canst thou have lost, whose wealth -was the labour of thy own hand; and what can have made thee sad, the -spring of whose joy was in thy own bosom?—What evil has befallen thee? -Speak, and if I can remove it, thou art happy.” I was now encouraged -to look up, and I replied, “Let my Lord forgive the presumption of his -servant, who rather than utter a falsehood, would be dumb for ever. I am -become wretched by the loss of that which I never possessed: thou hast -raised wishes which indeed I am not worthy thou shouldst satisfy: but why -should it be thought, that he who was happy in obscurity and indigence, -would not have been rendered more happy by eminence and wealth?” - -When I had finished this speech, Almalic stood some moments in suspense, -and I continued prostrate before him. “Hassan,” said he, “I perceive, not -with indignation but regret, that I mistook thy character; I now discover -avarice and ambition in thy heart, which lay torpid only because their -objects were too remote to rouse them. I cannot, therefore, invest thee -with authority, because I would not subject my people to oppression; and -because I would not be compelled to punish thee for crimes which I first -enabled thee to commit. - -“But as I have taken from thee that which I cannot restore, I will -at least gratify the wishes that I excited, lest thy heart accuse me -of injustice, and thou continue still a stranger to thyself. Arise, -therefore, and follow me.” I sprung from the ground as it were with -the wing of an eagle; I kissed the hem of his garment in an extasy of -gratitude and joy; and when I went from my house, my heart leaped as -if it had escaped from the den of a lion. I followed Almalic to the -caravansary in which he lodged; and after he had fulfilled his vows, he -took me with him to Medina. He gave me an apartment in the seraglio; I -was attended by his own servants; my provisions were sent from his own -table; and I received every week a sum from his treasury, which exceeded -the most romantic of my expectations. But I soon discovered, that no -dainty was so tasteful, as the food to which labour procured an appetite; -no slumbers so sweet as those which weariness invited; and no time so -well enjoyed, as that in which diligence is expecting its reward. I -remembered these enjoyments with regret; and while I was sighing in the -midst of superfluities, which though they encumbered life, yet I could -not give up, they were suddenly taken away. - -Almalic, in the midst of the glory of his kingdom, and in the full vigour -of his life, expired suddenly in the bath; such, thou knowest, was the -destiny which the Almighty had written upon his head. - -His son Aububeker, who succeeded to the throne, was incensed against -me, by some who regarded me at once with contempt and envy: he suddenly -withdrew my pension, and commanded that I should be expelled the -palace; a command which my enemies executed with so much rigour, that -within twelve hours I found myself in the streets of Medina, indigent -and friendless, exposed to hunger and derision, with all the habits of -luxury, and all the sensibility of pride. O! let not thy heart despise -me, thou whom experience hast not taught, that it is misery to lose that -which it is not happiness to possess. O! that for me, this lesson had not -been written on the tablets of Providence! I have travelled from Medina -to Mecca: but I cannot fly from myself. How different are the states in -which I have been placed! The remembrance of both is bitter; for the -pleasures of neither can return. Hassan, having thus ended his story, -smote his hands together, and looking upwards, burst into tears. - -Omar, having waited till this agony was past, went to him, and taking him -by the hand, “My son,” said he, “more is yet in thy power than Almalic -could give, or Aububeker take away. The lesson of thy life the Prophet -has in mercy appointed me to explain. - -“Thou wast once content with poverty and labour, only because they were -become habitual, and ease and affluence were placed beyond thy hope; for -when ease and affluence approached thee, thou wast content with poverty -and labour no more. That which then became the object, was also the bound -of thy hope; and he, whose utmost hope is disappointed, must inevitably -be wretched. If thy supreme desire had been the delights of Paradise, and -thou hadst believed that by the tenor of thy life these delights had been -secured, as more could not have been given thee, thou wouldst not have -regretted that less was not offered. The content which was once enjoyed -was but the lethargy of the soul; and the distress which is now suffered, -will but quicken it to action. Depart, therefore, and be thankful for all -things: put thy trust in Him, who alone can gratify the wish of reason, -and satisfy the soul with good: fix thy hope upon that portion, in -comparison of which the world is as the drop of the bucket, and the dust -of the balance. Return, my son, to thy labour; thy food shall be again -tasteful, and thy rest shall be sweet: to thy content also will be added -stability, when it depends not upon that which is possessed upon earth, -but upon that which is expected in Heaven.” - -Hassan, upon whose mind the Angel of instruction impressed the counsel of -Omar, hastened to prostrate himself in the temple of the Prophet. Peace -dawned upon his mind like the radiance of the morning: he returned to his -labour with cheerfulness; his devotion became fervent and habitual: and -the latter days of Hassan were happier than the first. - - - - -STORY OF A DERVISE. - - -A Dervise, travelling through Tartary, went into the king’s palace by -mistake, as thinking it to be a public inn, or caravansary. Having -looked about him for some time, he entered into a long gallery, where he -laid down his wallet, and spread his carpet, in order to repose himself -upon it, after the manner of the eastern nations. - -He had not been long in this posture before he was discovered by some -of the guards, who asked him what was his business in that place? The -dervise told them that he intended to take up his night’s lodging in that -caravansary. The guards told him, in a very angry manner, that the house -he was in was not a caravansary, but the king’s palace. It happened that -the king himself passed through the gallery during this debate; and, -smiling at the mistake of the dervise, asked him how he could possibly be -so dull as not to distinguish a palace from a caravansary. - -Sir, says the dervise, give me leave to ask your majesty a question or -two. Who were the persons that lodged in this house when it was first -built? The king replied, his ancestors. And who, says the dervise, was -the last person that lodged here? The king replied, his father. And who -is it, says the dervise, that lodges here at present? The king told him -that it was himself. And who, says the dervise, will be here after you? -The king answered, the young prince his son. “Ah, Sir,” said the dervise, -“a house that changes its inhabitants so often, and receives such a -perpetual succession of guests, is not a palace, but a caravansary.” - - - - -OMAR’S PLAN OF LIFE. - - -Omar, the son of Hassan, had passed seventy-five years in honour and -prosperity. The favour of three successive califs had filled his house -with gold and silver; and whenever he appeared, the benedictions of the -people proclaimed his passage. - -Terrestrial happiness is of short continuance. The brightness of the -flame is wasting its fuel; the fragrant flower is passing away in its own -odours. The vigour of Omar began to fail, the curls of beauty fell from -his head, strength departed from his hands, and agility from his feet. -He gave back to the calif the keys of trust, and the seals of secrecy; -and sought no other pleasure for the remains of life than the converse of -the wise, and the gratitude of the good. - -The powers of his mind were yet unimpaired. His chamber was filled by -visitants, eager to catch the dictates of experience, and officious to -pay the tribute of admiration. Caled, the son of the viceroy of Egypt, -entered every day early, and retired late. He was beautiful and eloquent; -Omar admired his wit and loved his docility. Tell me, said Caled, thou -to whose voice nations have listened, and whose wisdom is known to the -extremities of Asia, tell me how I may resemble Omar the prudent. The -arts by which you have gained power and preserved it, are to you no -longer necessary or useful; impart to me the secret of your conduct, and -teach me the plan upon which your wisdom has built your fortune. - -Young man, said Omar, it is of little use to form plans of life. When -I took my first survey of the world, in my twentieth year, having -considered the various conditions of mankind, in the hour of solicitude, -I said thus to myself, leaning against a cedar which spread its branches -over my head: Seventy years are allowed to man; I have yet fifty -remaining: ten years I will allot to the attainment of knowledge, and ten -I will pass in foreign countries; I shall be learned, and therefore shall -be honoured; every city will shout at my arrival, and every student will -solicit my friendship. Twenty years thus passed will store my mind with -images which I shall be busy through the rest of my life in combining and -comparing. I shall revel in inexhaustible accumulations of intellectual -riches; I shall find new pleasures for every moment, and shall never more -be weary of myself. I will, however, not deviate too far from the beaten -track of life, but will try what can be found in female delicacy. I will -marry a wife beautiful as the Houries, and wise as Zobeide; with her I -will live twenty years within the suburbs of Bagdat, in every pleasure -that wealth can purchase, and fancy can invent. I will then retire to a -rural dwelling, pass my last days in obscurity and contemplation, and lie -silently down on the bed of death. Through my life it shall be my settled -resolution, that I will never depend upon the smile of princes; that I -will never stand exposed to the artifices of courts: I will never pant -for public honours, nor disturb my quiet with affairs of state. Such was -my scheme of life, which I impressed indelibly upon my memory. - -The first part of my ensuing time was to be spent in search of knowledge; -and I know not how I was diverted from my design. I had no visible -impediments without, nor any ungovernable passions within. I regarded -knowledge as the highest honour and the most engaging pleasure; yet day -stole upon day, and month glided after month, till I found that seven -years of the first ten had vanished, and left nothing behind them. I now -postponed my purpose of travelling; for why should I go abroad while so -much remained to be learned at home? I immured myself for four years, and -studied the laws of the empire. The fame of my skill reached the judges; -I was found able to speak upon doubtful questions, and was commanded to -stand at the footstool of the calif. I was heard with attention, I was -consulted with confidence, and the love of praise fastened on my heart. - -I still wished to see distant countries, listened with rapture to the -relations of travellers, and resolved some time to ask my dismission, -that I might feast my soul with novelty; but my presence was always -necessary, and the stream of business hurried me along. Sometimes I was -afraid lest I should be charged with ingratitude; but I still proposed to -travel, and therefore would not confine myself by marriage. - -In my fiftieth year I began to suspect that the time of travelling was -past, and thought it best to lay hold on the felicity yet in my power, -and indulge myself in domestic pleasures. But at fifty no man easily -finds a woman beautiful as the Houries, and wise as Zobeide. I inquired -and rejected, consulted and deliberated, till the sixty-second year made -me ashamed of gazing upon girls. I had now nothing left but retirement, -and for retirement I never found a time, till disease forced me from -public employment. - -Such was my scheme, and such has been its consequence. With an insatiable -thirst for knowledge, I trifled away the years of improvement; with a -restless desire of seeing different countries, I have always resided in -the same city; with the highest expectation of connubial felicity, I -have lived unmarried; and with unalterable resolutions of contemplative -retirement, I am going to die within the walls of Bagdat. - - - - -THE BASKET MAKER. - - -In the midst of that vast ocean, commonly called the South-Sea, lie the -islands of Solomon. In the centre of these lies one not only distant from -the rest, which are immensely scattered round it, but also larger beyond -proportion. An ancestor of the prince, who now reigns absolute in this -central island, has, through a long descent of ages, entailed the name of -Solomon’s Islands on the whole, by the effect of that wisdom wherewith he -polished the manners of his people. - -A descendant of one of the great men of this happy island, becoming a -gentleman to so improved a degree as to despise the good qualities -which had originally ennobled his family, thought of nothing but how to -support and distinguish his dignity by the pride of an ignorant mind, -and a disposition abandoned to pleasure. He had a house on the sea-side, -where he spent great part of his time in hunting and fishing; but found -himself at a loss in pursuit of those important diversions, by means of -a long slip of marsh land, overgrown with high reeds, that lay between -his house and the sea. Resolving, at length, that it became not a man -of his quality to submit to a restraint in his pleasures, for the ease -and convenience of an obstinate mechanic; and having often endeavoured, -in vain, to buy out the owner, who was an honest poor basket-maker, and -whose livelihood depended on working up the flags of those reeds, in a -manner peculiar to himself, the gentleman took advantage of a very high -wind, and commanded his servants to burn down the barrier. - -The basket-maker, who saw himself undone, complained of the oppression in -terms more suited to his sense of the injury, than the respect due to -the rank of the offender; and the reward this imprudence procured him, -was the additional injustice of blows and reproaches, and all kinds of -insult and indignity. - -There was but one way to a remedy, and he took it: for going to the -capital, with the marks of his hard usage upon him, he threw himself -at the feet of the king, and procured a citation for his oppressor’s -appearance; who, confessing the charge, proceeded to justify his -behaviour by the poor man’s unmindfulness of the submission due from the -vulgar to gentlemen of rank and distinction. - -“But pray,” replied the king, “what distinction of rank had the -grand-father of your father, when, being a cleaver of wood in the palace -of my ancestors, he was raised from among those vulgar you speak of with -such contempt, in reward for an instance he gave of his courage and -loyalty in defence of his master? Yet his distinction was nobler than -yours: it was the distinction of soul, not of birth; the superiority of -worth, not of fortune! I am sorry I have a gentleman in my kingdom who -is base enough to be ignorant that ease and distinction of fortune were -bestowed on him but to this end, that, being at rest from all cares of -providing for himself, he might apply his heart, head, and hand, for the -public advantage of others.” - -Here the king, discontinuing his speech, fixed an eye of indignation on a -sullen resentment of mien which he observed in the haughty offender, who -muttered out his dislike of the encouragement this way of thinking must -give to the commonality, who, he said, were to be considered as persons -of no consequence, in comparison of men who were born to be honoured. -“Where reflection is wanting,” replied the king, with a smile of disdain, -“men must find their defects in the pain of their sufferings. Yanhuma,” -added he, turning to a captain of his gallies, “strip the injured and the -injurer; and, conveying them to one of the most barbarous and remote of -the islands, set them ashore in the night, and leave them both to their -fortune.” - -The place in which they were landed was a marsh; under cover of those -flags the gentleman was in hopes of concealing himself, and giving the -slip to his companion, whom he thought it a disgrace to be found with: -but the lights in the galley having giving an alarm to the savages, a -considerable body of them came down, and discovered in the morning the -two strangers in their hiding-place. Setting up a dismal yell, they -surrounded them; and advancing nearer and nearer with a kind of clubs, -seemed determined to dispatch them, without sense of hospitality or mercy. - -Here the gentleman began to discover that the superiority of his blood -was imaginary; for between the consciousness of shame and cold, under -the nakedness he had never been used to; a fear of the event from the -fierceness of the savages approach; and the want of an idea whereby to -soften or divert their asperity, he fell behind the poor sharer of his -calamity, and with an unsinewed, apprehensive, unmanly sneakingness of -mien, gave up the post of honour, and made a leader of the very man whom -he had thought it a disgrace to consider as a companion. - -The basket-maker on the contrary, to whom the poverty of his condition -had made nakedness habitual, to whom a life of pain and mortification -represented death as not dreadful, and whose remembrance of his skill in -arts, of which these savages were ignorant, gave him hopes of becoming -safe, from demonstrating that he could be useful, moved with bolder and -more open freedom; and having plucked a handful of the flags, sat down -without emotion, and making signs that he would shew them something -worthy of their attention, fell to work with smiles and noddings; while -the savages drew near, and gazed with expectation of the consequence. - -It was not long before he had wreathed a kind of coronet of pretty -workmanship; and rising with respect and fearfulness, approached the -savage who appeared the chief, and placed it gently on his head; whose -figure, under this new ornament, so charmed and struck his followers, -that they all threw down their clubs, and formed a dance of welcome and -congratulation round the author of so prized a favour. - -There was not one but shewed the marks of his impatience to be as -fine as the captain: so the poor basket-maker had his hands full of -employment: and the savages, observing one quite idle, while the other -was so busy in their service, took up arms in behalf of natural justice, -and began to lay on arguments in favour of their purpose. - -The basket-maker’s pity now effaced the remembrance of his sufferings; so -he arose and rescued his oppressor, by making signs that he was ignorant -of the art; but might, if they thought fit, be usefully employed in -waiting on the work, and fetching flags to his supply, as fast as he -should want them. - -This proposition luckily fell in with a desire the savages expressed to -keep themselves at leisure, that they might crowd round, and mark the -progress of a work they took such pleasure in. They left the gentleman -therefore to his duty in the basket-maker’s service; and considered -him, from that time forward, as one who was, and ought to be treated as -inferior to their benefactor. - -Men, women, and children, from all corners of the island, came in droves -for coronets; and, setting the gentleman to work to gather boughs and -poles, made a fine hut to lodge the basket-maker; and brought down daily -from the country such provisions as they lived upon themselves, taking -care to offer the imagined servant nothing till his master had done -eating. - -Three months reflection, in this mortified condition, gave a new and just -turn to our gentleman’s improved ideas; insomuch that, lying weeping -and awake one night, he thus confessed his sentiments in favour of the -basket-maker. “I have been to blame, and wanted judgment to distinguish -between accident and excellence. When I should have measured nature, -I but looked to vanity. The preference which fortune gives, is empty -and imaginary; and I perceive, too late, that only things of use are -naturally honourable. I am ashamed, when I compare my malice, to remember -your humanity; but if the gods should please to call me to a repossession -of my rank and happiness, I would divide all with you, in atonement for -my justly punished arrogance.” - -He promised, and performed his promise: for the king, soon after, sent -the captain who had landed them with presents to the savages, and ordered -him to bring both back again. And it continues to this day a custom in -that island, to degrade all gentlemen who cannot give a better reason for -their pride, than they were born to do nothing: and the word for this due -punishment is, send him to the basket-maker. - - - - -THE STORY OF ALMET. - - -Almet, the dervise, who watched the sacred lamp in the sepulchre of the -Prophet, as he one day rose up from the devotions of the morning, which -he had performed at the gate of the temple, with his body turned towards -the east, and his forehead on the earth, saw before him a man in splendid -apparel, attended by a long retinue, who gazed stedfastly at him, with a -look of mournful complacence, and seemed desirous to speak, but unwilling -to offend. - -The Dervise, after a short silence, advanced, and saluting him with the -calm dignity which independence confers upon humility, requested that he -would reveal his purpose. - -“Almet,” said the stranger, “thou seest before thee a man whom the hand -of prosperity has overwhelmed with wretchedness. Whatever I once desired -as the means of happiness, I now possess; but I am not yet happy, and -therefore I despair. I regret the lapse of time, because it glides away -without enjoyment; and as I expect nothing in the future but the vanities -of the past, I do not wish that the future should arrive. Yet I tremble -lest it should be cut off; and my heart sinks when I anticipate the -moment in which eternity shall close over the vacuity of my life, like -the sea upon the path of a ship, and leave no traces of my existence more -durable than the furrow which remains after the waves have united. If -in the treasures of thy wisdom there is any precept to obtain felicity, -vouchsafe it to me: for this purpose am I come; a purpose which yet I -feared to reveal, lest, like all the former, it should be disappointed.” - -Almet listened, with looks of astonishment and pity, to this complaint of -a being, in whom reason was known to be a pledge of immortality; but the -serenity of his countenance soon returned; and stretching out his hand -towards heaven, “Stranger,” said he, “the knowledge which I have received -from the Prophet, I will communicate to thee. - -“As I was sitting one evening at the porch of the temple, pensive and -alone, mine eye wandered among the multitude that was scattered before -me; and while I remarked the weariness and solicitude which was visible -in every countenance, I was suddenly struck with a sense of their -condition. ‘Wretched mortals,’ said I, ‘to what purpose are you busy? -Do the linens of Egypt, and the silks of Persia, bestow felicity on -those who wear them, equal to the wretchedness of yonder slaves, whom I -see leading the camels that bring them? Is the fineness of the texture, -or the splendour of the tints, regarded with delight by those to whom -custom has rendered them familiar? or can the power of habit render -others insensible of pain, who live only to traverse the desart; a -scene of dreadful uniformity, where a barren level is bounded only by -the horizon; where no change of prospect, or variety of images, relieves -the traveller from a sense of toil and danger, of whirlwinds which in -a moment may bury him in the sand, and of thirst, which the wealthy -have given half their possessions to allay? Do those on whom hereditary -diamonds sparkle with unregarded lustre, gain from the possession what is -lost by the wretch who seeks them in the mine; who lives excluded from -the common bounties of nature; to whom even the vicissitude of day and -night is not known; who sighs in perpetual darkness, and whose life is -one alternative of insensibility and labour? If those are not happy who -possess, in proportion as those are wretched who bestow, how vain a dream -is the life of man! and if there is, indeed, such difference in the value -of existence, how shall we acquit of partiality the hand by which this -difference has been made?” - -While my thoughts thus multiplied, and my heart burned within me, I -became sensible of a sudden influence from above. The streets and the -crowds of Mecca disappeared; I found myself sitting on the declivity of -a mountain, and perceived at my right hand an angel, whom I knew to be -Azoran, the minister of reproof. When I saw him I was afraid. I cast -mine eye upon the ground, and was about to deprecate his anger, when he -commanded me to be silent. “Almet,” said he, “thou has devoted thy life -to meditation, that thy counsel might deliver ignorance from the mazes of -error, and deter presumption from the precipice of guilt; but the book -of nature thou hast read without understanding: it is again open before -thee: look up, consider it, and be wise.” - -I looked up, and beheld an inclosure, beautiful as the gardens of -Paradise, but of a small extent. Through the middle there was a green -walk; at the end a wild desart; and beyond, impenetrable darkness. The -walk was shaded with trees of every kind, that were covered at once with -blossoms and fruit; innumerable birds were singing in the branches; the -grass was intermingled with flowers, which impregnated the breeze with -fragrance, and painted the path with beauty; on one side flowed a gentle, -transparent stream, which was just heard to murmur over the golden sands -that sparkled at the bottom; and on the other were walks and bowers, -fountains, grottoes, and cascades, which diversified the scene with -endless variety, but did not conceal the bounds. - - - - -THE STORY OF ALMET, CONCLUDED. - - -While I was gazing in a transport of delight and wonder on this -enchanting spot, I perceived a man stealing along the walk with a -thoughtful and deliberate pace; his eyes were fixed upon the earth, and -his arms crossed on his bosom; he sometimes started, as if a sudden pang -had seized him; his countenance expressed solicitude and terror; he -looked round with a sigh, and having gazed a moment on the desart that -lay before him, he seemed as if he wished to stop, but was impelled -forwards by some invisible power; his features however soon settled again -in a calm melancholy; his eye was again fixed on the ground; and he -went on as before, with apparent reluctance, but without emotion. I was -struck with his appearance; and turning hastily to the angel, was about -to enquire what could produce such infelicity in a being surrounded with -every object that could gratify every sense; but he prevented my request: -“The book of nature,” said he, “is before thee; look up, consider it, and -be wise.” I looked, and beheld a valley between two mountains that were -craggy and barren; on the path there was no verdure, and the mountains -afforded no shade; the sun burned in the zenith, and every spring was -dried up; but the valley terminated in a country that was pleasant and -fertile, shaded with woods, and adorned with buildings. At a second -view, I discovered a man in this valley, meagre indeed and naked, but -his countenance was cheerful, and his deportment active; he kept his eye -fixed upon the country before him, and looked as if he would have run, -but that he was restrained, as the other had been impelled, by some -secret influence: sometimes, indeed, I perceived a sudden impression of -pain, and sometimes he stepped short, as if his foot was pierced by the -asperities of the way; but the sprightliness of his countenance instantly -returned, and he pressed forward without appearance of repining or -complaint. - -I turned again towards the angel, impatient to enquire from what secret -source happiness was derived, in a situation so different from that in -which it might have been expected: but he again prevented my requested: -“Almet,” said he, “remember what thou hast seen, and let this memorial be -written upon the tablets of thy heart. Remember, Almet, that the world -in which thou art placed, is but the road to another; and that happiness -depends not upon the path, but the end; the value of this period of thy -existence is fixed by hope and fear. The wretch who wished to linger in -the garden, who looked round upon its limits with terror, was destitute -of hope, and was perpetually tormented by the dread of losing that which -yet he did not enjoy; the song of the birds had been repeated till it -was not heard, and the flowers had so often recurred, that their beauty -was not seen; the river glided by unnoticed; and he feared to lift his -eye to the prospect, lest he should behold the waste that circumscribed -it. But he that toiled through the valley was happy, because he looked -forward with hope. Thus to the sojourner upon earth it is of little -moment whether the path he treads be strewed with flowers or with thorns, -if he perceives himself to approach these regions, in comparison of which -the thorns and the flowers of this wilderness lose their distinction, and -are both alike impotent to give pleasure or pain. - -“What then has Eternal Wisdom unequally distributed? That which can make -every station happy, and without which every station must be wretched, is -acquired by virtue, and virtue is possible to all. Remember, Almet, the -vision which thou hast seen; and let my words be written on the tablet of -thy heart, that thou mayest direct the wanderer to happiness, and justify -God to men.” - -While the voice of Azoran was yet sounding in my ear, the prospect -vanished from before me, and I found myself again sitting at the porch of -the temple. The sun was gone down, the multitude was retired to rest, and -the solemn quiet of midnight concurred with the resolution of my doubts -to complete the tranquillity of my mind. - -Such, my son, was the vision which the Prophet vouchsafed me, not for my -sake only, but for thine. Thou hast sought felicity in temporal things; -and, therefore, thou art disappointed. Let not instruction be lost upon -thee, as the seal of Mahomet in the well of Aris: but go thy way, let -thy flock clothe the naked, and thy table feed the hungry; deliver the -poor from oppression, and let thy conversation be Above. Thus shalt -thou “rejoice in Hope,” and look forward to the end of life as the -consummation of thy felicity. - -Almet, in whose breast devotion kindled as he spake, returned into the -temple, and the stranger departed in peace. - - - - -THE STORY OF GELALEDDIN OF BASSORA. - - -In the time when Bassora was considered as the school of Asia, and -flourished by the reputation of its professors, and the confluence of its -students, among the students that listened round the chair of Albumazar -was Gelaleddin, a native of Taurus, in Persia, a young man, amiable in -his manners, and beautiful in his form, of boundless curiosity, incessant -diligence, and irresistible genius, of quick apprehension and tenacious -memory, accurate without narrowness, and eager for novelty without -inconstancy. - -No sooner did Gelaleddin appear at Bassora, than his virtues and -abilities raised him to distinction. He passed from class to class rather -admired than envied by those whom the rapidity of his progress left -behind; he was consulted by his fellow-students as an oraculous guide, -and admitted as a competent auditor to the conference of the sages. - -After a few years, having passed through all the exercises of probation, -Gelaleddin was invited to a professor’s seat, and intreated to increase -the splendour of Bassora. Gelaleddin affected to deliberate on the -proposal, with which, before he considered it, he resolved to comply; -and next morning retired to a garden planted for the recreation of the -students, and entering a solitary walk, began to meditate upon his future -life. - -“If I am thus eminent,” said he, “in the regions of literature, I shall -be yet more conspicuous in any other place: If I should now devote myself -to study and retirement, I must pass my life in silence, unacquainted -with the delights of wealth, the influence of power, the pomp of -greatness, and the charms of elegance, with all that man envies and -desires, with all that keeps the world in motion, by the hope of gaining -or the fear of losing it. I will, therefore, depart to Tauris, where -the Persian monarch resides in all the splendour of absolute dominion: -my reputation will fly before me, my arrival will be congratulated by -my kinsmen and friends; I shall see the eyes of those who predicted my -greatness sparkling with exultation, and the faces of those that once -despised me clouded with envy, or counterfeiting kindness by artificial -smiles. I will show my wisdom by my discourse, and my moderation by my -silence; I will instruct the modest with easy gentleness, and repress -the ostentatious by seasonable superciliousness. My apartments will be -crowded by the inquisite and the vain, by those that honour and those -that rival me; my name will soon reach the court; I shall stand before -the throne of the emperor; the judges of the law will confess my wisdom, -and the nobles will contend to heap gifts upon me. If I shall find -that my merit, like that of others, excites malignity, or feel myself -tottering on the seat of elevation, I may at last retire to academical -obscurity, and become, in my lowest state, a professor of Bassora.” - -Having thus settled his determination, he declared to his friends his -design of visiting Tauris, and saw with more pleasure than he ventured to -express, the regret with which he was dismissed. He could not bear to -delay the honours to which he was destined, and therefore hastened away, -and in a short time entered the capital of Persia. He was immediately -immersed in the crowd, and passed unobserved to his father’s house. He -entered, and was received, though not unkindly, yet without any excess -of fondness, or exclamations of rapture. His father had, in his absence, -suffered many losses, and Gelaleddin was considered as an additional -burthen to a fallen family. - -When he recovered from his surprise, he began to display his -acquisitions, and practised all the arts of narration and disquisition; -but the poor have no leisure to be pleased with eloquence; they heard -his arguments without reflection, and his pleasantries without a smile. -He then applied himself singly to his brothers and sisters, but found -them all chained down by invariable attention to their own fortunes, -and insensible of any other excellence than that which could bring some -remedy for indigence. - -It was now known in the neighbourhood that Gelaleddin was returned, and -he sat for some days in expectation that the learned would visit him for -consultation, or the great for entertainment. But who would be pleased -or instructed in the mansions of poverty? He then frequented places of -public resort, and endeavoured to attract notice by the copiousness of -his talk. The sprightly were silenced, and went away to censure in some -other place his arrogance and his pedantry; and the dull listened quietly -for a while, and then wondered why any man should take pains to obtain so -much knowledge which would never do him good. - -He next solicited the viziers for employment, not doubting but his -service would be eagerly accepted. He was told by one, that there was no -vacancy in his office; by another, that his merit was above any patronage -but that of the emperor; by a third, that he would not forget him; and -by the chief vizier, that he did not think, literature of any great use -in public business. He was sometimes admitted to their tables, where he -exerted his wit and diffused his knowledge; but he observed, that where, -by endeavour or accident, he had remarkably excelled, he was seldom -invited a second time. - -He now returned to Bassora, wearied and disgusted, but confident of -resuming his former rank, and revelling again in satiety of praise. But -he who had been neglected at Tauris, was not much regarded at Bassora; he -was considered as a fugitive, who returned only because he could live in -no other place; his companions found that they had formerly over-rated -his abilities, and he lived long without notice or esteem. - - - - -STORY OF ORTOGRUL OF BASRA. - - -As Ortogrul of Basra was one day wandering along the streets of Bagdat, -musing on the varieties of merchandize which the shops offered to his -view, and observing the different occupations which busied the multitudes -on every side, he was awakened from the tranquility of meditation by a -crowd that obstructed his passage. He raised his eyes, and saw the chief -vizier, who having returned from the divan, was entering his palace. - -Ortogrul mingled with the attendants, and being supposed to have some -petition for the vizier, was permitted to enter. He surveyed the -spaciousness of the apartments, admired the walks hung with golden -tapestry, and the floors covered with silken carpets, and despised the -simple neatness of his own little habitation. - -Surely, said he to himself, this palace is that seat of happiness where -pleasure succeeds to pleasure, and discontent and sorrow can have no -admission. Whatever nature has provided for the delight of sense, is -here spread forth to be enjoyed. What can mortals hope or imagine which -the master of this palace has not obtained. The dishes of luxury cover -his table, the voice of harmony lulls him in his bowers; he breathes -the fragrance of the groves of Java, and sleeps upon the down of the -cygnets of the Ganges. He speaks, and his mandate is obeyed; he wishes, -and his wish is gratified; all whom he sees obey him; and all whom he -hears flatter him. How different, Ortogrul, is thy condition, who art -doomed to the perpetual torments of unsatisfied desire, and who hast no -amusement in thy power that can withhold thee from thy own reflections! -They tell thee that thou art wise, but what does wisdom avail with -poverty? None will flatter the poor, and the wise have very little power -of flattering themselves. That man is surely the most wretched of the -sons of wretchedness who lives with his own faults and follies always -before him, and who has none to reconcile him to himself by praise and -veneration. I have long sought content, and have not found it; I will -from this moment endeavour to be rich. - -Full of his new resolution, he shut himself in his chamber for six -months, to deliberate how he should grow rich; he sometimes proposed to -offer himself as a counsellor to one of the kings of India, and sometimes -resolved to dig for diamonds in the mines of Golconda. One day, after -some hours passed in violent fluctuation of opinion, sleep insensibly -seized him in his chair; he dreamed that he was ranging a desart country, -in search of some one that might teach him to grow rich! and as he -stood on the top of a hill shaded with cypress, in doubt whither to -direct his steps, his father appeared on a sudden standing before him. -“Ortogrul,” said the old man, “I know thy perplexity; listen to thy -father, turn thine eye on the opposite mountain.” Ortogrul looked, and -saw a torrent tumbling down the rocks, roaring with the noise of thunder, -and scattering its foam on the impending woods. “Now,” said his father, -“behold the valley that lies between the hills.” Ortogrul looked, and -espied a little well, out of which issued a small rivulet. “Tell me now,” -said his father, “dost thou wish for sudden affluence, that may pour -upon thee like the mountain torrent, or for a slow and gradual increase, -resembling the rill gliding from the well?” “Let me be quickly rich,” -said Ortogrul; “let the golden stream be quick and violent.” “Look round -thee,” said his father, “once again.” Ortogrul looked, and perceived the -channel of the torrent dry and dusty; but following the rivulet from the -well, he traced it to a wide lake, which the supply, slow and constant, -kept always full. He waked, and determined to grow rich by silent profit, -and persevering industry. - -Having sold his patrimony, he engaged in merchandize, and in twenty years -purchased lands, on which he raised a house, equal in sumptuousness to -that of the vizier, to which he invited all the ministers of pleasure, -expecting to enjoy all the felicity which he imagined riches able to -afford. Leisure soon made him weary of himself, and he longed to be -persuaded that he was great and happy. He was courteous and liberal; he -gave all that approached him hopes of pleasing him, and all who should -please him hopes of being rewarded. Every art of praise was tried, and -every source of adulatory fiction was exhausted. Ortogrul heard his -flatters without delight, because he found himself unable to believe -them. His own heart told him its frailties, his own understanding -reproached him with his faults. “How long,” said he, with a deep sigh, -“have I been labouring in vain to amass wealth, which at last is -useless. Let no man hereafter wish to be rich, who is already too wise -to be flattered.” - - - - -THE STORY OF ALNASCHAR. - - -It is a precept oftentimes inculcated, that we should not entertain an -hope of any thing in life which lies at a great distance from us. The -shortness and uncertainty of our time here, makes such a kind of hope -unreasonable and absurd. The grave lies unseen between us and the object -which we reach after: where one man lives to enjoy the good he has in -view, ten thousand are cut off in the pursuit of it. - -Men of warm imaginations and towering thoughts are apt to overlook the -goods of fortune which are near them, for something that glitters in the -sight at a distance; to neglect solid and substantial happiness, for what -is showy and superficial; and to contemn that good that lies within their -reach, for that which they are not capable of attaining. Hope calculates -its schemes for a long and durable life; presses forward to imaginary -points of bliss; and grasps at impossibilities; and consequently very -often insnares men into beggary, ruin, and dishonour. - -What I have here said, may serve as a moral to an Arabian fable, which -I find translated into French by Monsieur Galland. The fable has in it -such a wild, but natural symplicity, that I question not but my reader -will be as much pleased with it as I have been, and that he will consider -himself, if he reflects on the several amusements of hope which have -sometimes passed in his mind, as a near relation to the Persian Glass-man. - -Alnaschar, says the fable, was a very idle fellow, that never would -set his hand to any business during his father’s life. When his father -died, he left him to the value of an hundred drachmas in Persian money. -Alnaschar, in order to make the best of it, laid it out in glasses, -bottles, and the finest earthenware. These he piled up in a large open -basket, and having made choice of a very little shop, placed the basket -at his feet, and leaned his back upon the wall, in expectation of -customers. As he sat in this posture, with his eyes upon the basket, he -fell into a most amusing train of thought, and was overheard by one of -his neighbours, as he talked to himself in the following manner: - -“This basket,” says he, “cost me, at the wholesale merchant’s, an hundred -drachmas, which is all I have in the world. I shall quickly make two -hundred of it, by selling it in retail. These two hundred drachmas will -in a very little while rise to four hundred, which of course will amount -in time to four thousand. Four thousand drachmas cannot fail of making -eight thousand. As soon as by this means I am master of ten thousand, I -will lay aside my trade of a glass-man, and turn jeweller. I shall then -deal in diamonds, pearls, and all sorts of rich stones. When I have got -together as much wealth as I can well desire, I will make a purchase of -the finest house I can find, with lands, slaves, eunuchs, and horses. I -shall then begin to enjoy myself, and make a noise in the world. I will -not, however, stop there, but still continue my traffic, until I have -got together an hundred thousand drachmas. When I have thus made myself -master of an hundred thousand drachmas, I shall naturally set myself on -the footing of a prince, and will demand the grand vizier’s daughter in -marriage, after having represented to that minister the information which -I have received of the beauty, wit, discretion, and other high qualities -which his daughter possesses. I will let him know at the same time, that -it is my intention to make him a present of a thousand pieces of gold, -on our marriage night. As soon as I have married the grand vizier’s -daughter, I will buy her twelve black eunuchs, the youngest and best -that can be bought for money. I must afterwards make my father-in-law a -visit, with a great train of equipage. And when I am placed at his right -hand, which he will do of course, if it be only to honour his daughter, -I will give him the thousand pieces of gold which I promised him, and -afterwards, to his great surprise, will present him with another purse -of the same value, with some short speech, as, ‘Sir, you see I am a man -of my word; I always give more than I promise.’ - -“When I have brought the princess to my house, I shall take a particular -care to breed her in a due respect to me, before I give the reins to love -and dalliance. To this end I shall confine her to her own apartment, make -her a short visit, and talk but little to her. Her women will represent -to me that she is inconsolable by reason of my unkindness, and beg me, -with tears, to caress her, and let her sit down by me; but I shall still -remain inexorable, and will turn my back upon her all the first night. -Her mother will then come and bring her daughter to me, as I am seated -upon my sofa. The daughter, with tears in her eyes, will fling herself -at my feet, and beg of me to receive her into my favour. Then will I, to -imprint in her a thorough veneration for my person, draw up my legs and -spurn her from me with my foot, in such a manner that she shall fall -down several paces from the sofa.” - -Alnaschar was entirely swallowed up in this chimerical vision, and could -not forbear acting with his foot what he had in his thoughts; so that -unluckily striking his basket of brittle ware, which was the foundation -of all his grandeur, he kicked his glasses to a great distance from him -into the street, and broke them into ten thousand pieces. - - - - -THE STORY OF CARAZAN. - - -Carazan, the merchant of Bagdat, was eminent throughout all the East -for his avarice and his wealth: his origin was obscure, as that of the -spark, which by the collision of steel and adamant, is struck out of -darkness; and the patient labour of persevering diligence alone had made -him rich. It was remembered, that when he was indigent, he was thought to -be generous; and he was still acknowledged to be inexorably just. But -whether in his dealings with men he discovered a perfidy which tempted -him to put his trust in gold, or whether in proportion as he accumulated -wealth he discovered his own importance to increase, Carazan prized it -more as he used it less; he gradually lost the inclination to do good, as -he acquired the power; and as the hand of time scattered snow upon his -head, the freezing influence extended to his bosom. - -But though the door of Carazan was never opened by hospitality, nor his -hand by compassion, yet fear led him constantly to the mosque at the -stated hours of prayer; he performed all the rites of devotion with the -most scrupulous punctuality, and had thrice paid his vows at the temple -of the Prophet. That devotion which arises from the love of God, and -necessarily includes the love of man, as it connects gratitude with -beneficence, and exalts that which was moral to divine, confers new -dignity upon goodness, and is the object not only of affection but of -reverence. On the contrary, the devotion of the selfish, whether it be -thought to avert the punishment which every one wishes to be inflicted, -or to insure it by the complication of hypocrisy with guilt, never -fails to excite indignation and abhorrence. Carazan, therefore, when he -had locked his door, and turning round with a look of circumspective -suspicion proceeded to the mosque, was followed by every eye with silent -malignity: the poor suspended their supplication when he passed by; and -though he was known by every man, no one saluted him. - -Such had long been the life of Carazan, and such was the character -which he had acquired, when notice was given by proclamation, that he -was removed to a magnificent building in the centre of the city, that -his table should be spread for the public, and that the stranger should -be welcome to his bed, the multitude soon rushed like a torrent to his -door, where they beheld him distributing bread to the hungry, and apparel -to the naked, his eye softened with compassion, and his cheek glowing -with delight. Every one gazed with astonishment at the prodigy; and the -murmur of innumerable voices increasing like the sound of approaching -thunder, Carazan beckoned with his hand; attention suspended the tumult -in a moment, and he thus gratified the curiosity which had procured him -audience. - -To him who touches the mountains and they smoke, the Almighty and the -Most Merciful, be everlasting honour! he has ordained sleep to be the -minister of instruction, and his visions have reproved me in the night. -As I was sitting alone in my Haram, with my lamp burning before me, -computing the product of my merchandize, and exulting in the increase of -my wealth, I fell into a deep sleep, and the hand of him who dwells in -the third heaven was upon me. I beheld the angel of death coming forward -like a whirlwind, and he smote me before I could deprecate the blow. At -the same moment I felt myself lifted from the ground, and transported -with astonishing rapidity through the regions of the air.—The earth was -contracted to an atom beneath; and the stars glowed round me with a -lustre that obscured the sun. The gate of Paradise was new in sight; and -I was intercepted by a sudden brightness which no human eye could behold: -the irrevocable sentence was now to be pronounced; my day of probation -was past: and from the evil of my life nothing could be taken away, nor -could any thing be added to the good. When I reflected that my lot for -eternity was cast, which not all the powers of nature could reverse, my -confidence totally forsook me; and while I stood trembling and silent, -covered with confusion, and chilled with horror, I was thus addressed by -the radiance that flamed before me:— - -“Carazan, thy worship has not been accepted, because it was not prompted -by love of God: neither can thy righteousness be rewarded, because it was -not produced by love of man: for thy own sake only hast thou rendered -to every man his due; and thou hast approached the Almighty only for -thyself. Thou hast not looked up with gratitude, nor around thee with -kindness. Around thee, thou hast indeed beheld vice and folly; but if -vice and folly could justify thy parsimony, would they not condemn the -bounty of heaven? If not upon the foolish and the vicious, where shall -the sun diffuse his light, or the clouds distil the dew? Where shall the -lips of the spring breathe fragrance, or the hand of autumn diffuse -plenty? Remember, Carazan, that thou hast shut compassion from thine -heart, and grasped thy treasures with a hand of iron: thou hast lived for -thyself; and, therefore, henceforth for ever thou shalt subsist alone. -From the light of heaven, and from the society of all beings shalt thou -be driven; solitude shall protract the lingering hours of eternity, and -darkness aggravate the horrors of despair.” At this moment I was driven -by some secret and irresistible power through the glowing system of -creation, and passed innumerable worlds in a moment. As I approached -the verge of nature, I perceived the shadows of total and boundless -vacuity deepen before me, a dreadful region of eternal silence, solitude, -and darkness! Unutterable horror seized me at the prospect, and this -exclamation burst from me with all the vehemence of desire: “O! that I -had been doomed for ever to the common receptacle of impenitence and -guilt! there society would have alleviated the torment of despair, and -the rage of fire could not have excluded the comfort of light. Or, if I -had been condemned to reside in a comet, that would return but once in -a thousand years to their regions of light and life; the hope of these -periods, however distant, would cheer men in the dread interval of cold -and darkness, and the vicissitude would divide eternity into time.” While -this thought passed over my mind, I lost sight of the remotest star, and -the last glimmering of light was quenched in utter darkness. The agonies -of despair every moment increased, as every moment augmented my distance -from the last habitable world. I reflected with intolerable anguish, that -when ten thousand thousand years had carried me beyond the reach of all -but that power who fills infinitude, I should still look forward into an -immense abyss of darkness, through which I should still drive without -succour and without society, farther and farther still, for ever and for -ever. I then stretched out my hand towards the regions of existence, with -an emotion that awaked me. Thus have I been taught to estimate society, -like every other blessing, by its loss. My heart is warmed to liberality; -and I am zealous to communicate the happiness which I feel, to those from -whom it is derived; for the society of one wretch, whom in the pride -of prosperity I would have spurned from my door, would, in the dreadful -solitude to which I was condemned, have been more highly prized than the -gold of Afric, or the gems of Golconda. - -At this reflection upon his dream, Carazan became suddenly silent, and -looked upward in ecstacy of gratitude and devotion. The multitude were -struck at once with the precept and example; and the Caliph, to whom the -event was related, that he might be liberal beyond the power of gold, -commanded it to be recorded for the benefit of posterity. - - - - -THE STORY OF ALMAMOULIN. - - -In the reign of Jenghiz Khan, conqueror of the East, in the city of -Samarcand, lived Nouradin the merchant, renowned throughout all the -regions of India for the extent of his commerce, and the integrity of -his dealings. His warehouses were filled with all the commodities of -the remotest nations; every rarity of nature, every curiosity of art, -whatever was useful, hastened to his hand. The streets were crowded with -his carriages; the sea was covered with his ships; the streams of Oxus -were wearied with conveyance, and every breeze of the sky wafted wealth -to Nouradin. - -At length Nouradin felt himself seized with a slow malady; he called to -him Almamoulin, his only son; and, dismissing his attendants, “My son,” -says he, “behold here the weakness and fragility of man; look backward -a few days, thy father was great and happy. Now, Almamoulin, look upon -me withering and prostrate; look upon me, and attend. My purpose was, -after ten months more spent in commerce, to have withdrawn my wealth to -a safer country; to have given seven years to delight and festivity, and -the remaining part of my days to solitude and repentence; but the hand of -death is upon me; I am now leaving the produce of my toil, which it must -be thy business to enjoy with wisdom.”—The thought of leaving his wealth, -filled Nouradin with such grief, that he fell into convulsions, became -delirious, and expired. - -Almamoulin, who loved his father, was touched a while with honest -sorrow, and sat two hours in profound meditation, without perusing the -paper which he held in his hand. He then retired to his own chamber, -as overborn with affliction, and there read the inventory of his new -possessions, which swelled his heart with such transports, that he no -longer lamented his father’s death. - -He was now sufficiently composed to order a funeral of modest -magnificence, suitable at once to the rank of Nouradin’s profession, and -the reputation of his wealth. The two next nights he spent in visiting -the tower and the caverns, and found the treasures greater to his eye -than to his imagination. - -Almamoulin had been bred to the practice of exact frugality, and had -often looked with envy on the finery and expences of other young men: he -therefore believed, that happiness was now in his power, since he could -obtain all of which he had hitherto been accustomed to regret the want. - -He immediately procured a splendid equipage, dressed his servants in rich -embroidery, and covered his horses with golden caparisons. He showered -down silver on the populace, and suffered their acclamations to swell him -with insolence. The nobles saw him with anger, the wise men of the state -combined against him, the leaders of armies threatened his destruction. -Almamoulin was informed of his danger: he put on the robe of mourning in -the presence of his enemies, and appeased them with gold, and gems, and -supplication. - -He then sought to strengthen himself, by an alliance with the princes of -Tartary, and offered the price of kingdoms for a wife of noble birth. His -suit was generally rejected, and his presents refused; but a princess of -Astracan once condescended to admit him to her presence. She received him -sitting on a throne, attired in the robe of royalty, and shining with the -jewels of Golconda; command sparkled in her eyes, and dignity towered on -her forehead. Almamoulin approached and trembled. She saw his confusion, -and disdained him: How, says she, dares the wretch hope my obedience, -who thus shrinks at my glance? Retire, and enjoy thy riches in sordid -ostentation; thou wast born to be wealthy, but never canst be great. - -He then contracted his desires to more private and domestic pleasures. -He built palaces, he laid out gardens, he changed the face of the land, -he transplanted forests, he levelled mountains, opened prospects into -distant regions, poured fountains from the tops of turrets, and rolled -rivers through new channels. - -These amusements pleased him for a time; but languor and weariness soon -invaded him. - -He therefore returned to Samarcand, and set open his doors to those whom -idleness sends out in search of pleasure. His tables were always covered -with delicacies; wines of every vintage sparkled in his bowels, and -his lamps scattered perfumes. The sound of the flute, and the voice of -the singer, chased away sadness; every hour was crowded with pleasure; -and the day ended and began with feasts and dances, and revelry and -merriment. Almamoulin cried out, “I have at last found the use of riches: -I am surrounded by companions, who view my greatness without envy; and I -enjoy at once the raptures of popularity, and the safety of an obscure -station.—What trouble can he feel, whom all are studious to please, that -they may be repaid with pleasure? What danger can he dread, to whom every -man is a friend?” - -Such were the thoughts of Almamoulin, as he looked down from a gallery -upon the gay assembly, regaling at his expence; but in the midst of this -soliloquy, an officer of justice entered the house, and in the form of -legal citation, summoned Almamoulin to appear before the emperor. The -guests stood awhile aghast, then stole imperceptibly away, and he was -led off without a single voice to witness his integrity. He now found -one of his most frequent visitors accusing him of treason, in hopes of -sharing his confiscation; yet, unpatronized, and unsupported, he cleared -himself by the openness of innocence, and the consistence of truth; he -was dismissed with honour, and his accuser perished in prison. - -Almamoulin now perceived with how little reason he had hoped for justice -or fidelity from those who live only to gratify their senses; and being -now weary with vain experiments upon life, and fruitless researches -after felicity, he had recourse to a sage, who, after spending his -youth in travel and observation, had retired from all human cares, to -a small habitation, on the banks of Oxus, where he conversed only with -such as solicited his counsel. “Brother,” said the philosopher, “thou -hast suffered thy reason to be deluded by idle hopes, and fallacious -appearances. Having long looked with desire upon riches, thou hast -taught thyself to think them more valuable than nature designed them, -and to expect from them what, as experience has now taught thee, they -cannot give. That they do not confer wisdom, thou mayest be convinced -by considering at how dear a price they tempted thee, upon thy first -entrance into the world, to purchase the empty sound of vulgar -acclamation. That they cannot bestow fortitude or magnanimity, that -man may be certain, who stood trembling at Astracan before a being not -naturally superior to himself. That they will not supply unexhausted -pleasure, the recollection of forsaken palaces, and neglected gardens, -will easily inform thee. That they rarely purchase friends, thou didst -soon discover, when thou wert left to stand thy trial uncountenanced and -alone. Yet think not riches useless; there are purposes to which a wise -man may be delighted to apply them: they may, by a rational distribution -to those who want them, ease the pains of helpless disease, still the -throbs of restless anxiety, relieve innocence from oppression, and raise -imbecility to chearfulness and vigour. This they will enable thee to -perform, and this will afford the only happiness ordained for our present -state, the confidence of divine favour, and the hope of future reward.” - - - - -THE STORY OF BOZALDAB. - - -Bozaldab, Calif of Egypt, had dwelt securely for many years in the silken -pavilions of pleasure, and had every morning anointed his head with -the oil of gladness, when his only son Aboram, for whom he had crowded -his treasuries with gold, extended his dominions with conquests, and -secured them with impregnable fortresses, was suddenly wounded, as he was -hunting, with an arrow from an unknown hand, and expired in the field. - -Bozaldab, in the distraction of grief and despair, refused to return -to his palace, and retired to the gloomiest grotto in the neighbouring -mountain: he there rolled himself on the dust, tore away the hairs -of his hoary beard, and dashed the cup of consolation that Patience -offered him to the ground. He suffered not his minstrels to approach his -presence; but listened to the melancholy birds of midnight, that flit -through the solitary vaults and echoing chambers of the Pyramids. “Can -that God be benevolent,” he cried, “who thus wounds the soul, as from an -ambush, with unexpected sorrows, and crushes his creatures in a moment -with irremediable calamity? Ye lying Imans, prate to us no more of the -justness and the kindness of an all-directing and all-loving Providence! -He, whom ye pretend reigns in heaven, is so far from protecting the sons -of men, that he perpetually delights to blast the sweetest flowerets in -the garden of Hope; and like a malignant giant to beat down the strongest -towers of happiness with the iron mace of his anger. If this Being -possessed the goodness and the power with which flattering priests have -invested him, he would doubtless be inclined and enabled to banish those -evils which render the world a dungeon of distress, a vale of vanity and -woe.—I will continue in it no longer!” - -At that moment he furiously raised his hand, which Despair had armed with -a dagger, to strike deep into his bosom; when suddenly thick flashes of -lightning shot through the cavern, and a being of more than human beauty -and magnitude, arrayed in azure robes, crowned with amaranth, and waving -a branch of palm in his right hand, arrested the arm of the trembling and -astonished Calif, and said with a majestic smile, “Follow me to the top -of this mountain.” - -“Look from hence,” said the awful conductor; “I am Caloc, the Angel of -Peace; Look from hence into the valley.” - -Bozaldab opened his eyes and beheld a barren, a sultry, and solitary -island, in the midst of which sat a pale, meagre, and ghastly figure: -it was a merchant just perishing with famine, and lamenting that he -could find neither wild berries, nor a single spring in this forlorn -and uninhabited desert; and begging the protection of heaven against -the tigers that would now certainly destroy him, since he had consumed -the last fuel he had collected to make nightly fires to affright them. -He then cast a casket of jewels on the sand, as trifles of no use; and -crept, feeble and trembling, to an eminence, where he was accustomed to -sit to watch the setting sun, and to give signal to any ship that might -haply approach the island. - -“Inhabitant of heaven,” cried Bozaldab, “suffer not this wretch to perish -by the fury of wild beasts!” - -“Peace,” said the angel, “and observe.” - -He looked again, and behold a vessel arrived at the desolate isle. What -words can paint the rapture of the starving merchant, when the captain -offered to transport him to his native country, if he would reward -him with half the jewels of his casket? No sooner had this pityless -commander received the stipulated sum, than he held a consultation with -his crew, and they agreed to seize the remaining jewels, and leave the -unhappy exile in the same helpless and lamentable condition in which they -discovered him. He wept and trembled, intreated and implored in vain. - - - - -THE STORY OF BOZALDAB. - -(CONCLUDED.) - - -“Will Heaven permit such injustice to be practised?” exclaimed Bozaldab. -“Look again,” said the angel, “and behold the very ship in which, -short-sighted as thou art, thou wishedst the merchant might embark, -dashed in pieces on a rock: dost thou not hear the cries of the sinking -sailors? Presume not to direct the Governor of the Universe in his -disposal of events. The man whom thou hast pitied shall be taken from -this dreary solitude, but not by the method thou wouldst prescribe. His -vice was avarice, by which he became not only abominable, but wretched; -he fancied some mighty charm in wealth, which, like the wand of Abdiel, -would gratify every wish and obviate every fear. This wealth he has now -been taught not only to despise but abhor: he cast his jewels upon the -sand, and confessed them to be useless; he offered part of them to the -mariners, and perceived them to be pernicious: he has now learnt, that -they are useful or vain, good or evil, only by the situation and temper -of the possessor. Happy is he whom distress has taught wisdom! But turn -thine eyes to another and more interesting scene.” - -The Calif instantly beheld a magnificent palace, adorned with the statues -of his ancestors wrought in jasper; the ivory doors of which, turning -on hinges of the gold of Golconda, discovered a throne of diamonds, -surrounded with the Rajas of fifty nations, and with ambassadors in -various habits, and of different complexions; on which sat Aboram, the -much-lamented son of Bozaldab, and by his side a princess fairer than a -Houri. - -“Gracious Alla!—it is my son,” cried the Calif—“O let me hold him to -my heart!” “Thou canst not grasp an unsubstantial vision,” replied the -angel: “I have now shewn thee what would have been the destiny of thy -son, had he continued longer on the earth.” “And why,” returned Bozaldab, -“was he not permitted to continue? Why was not I suffered to be a witness -of so much felicity and power?” “Consider the sequel,” replied he that -dwells in the fifth heaven. Bozaldab looked earnestly, and saw the -countenance of his son, on which he had been used to behold the placid -simplicity and the vivid blushes of health, now distorted with rage, and -now fixed in the insensibility of drunkenness: it was again animated with -disdain, it became pale with apprehension, and appeared to be withered by -intemperance; his hands were stained with blood, and he trembled by turns -with fury and terror. The palace so lately shining with oriental pomp, -changed suddenly into the cell of a dungeon, where his son lay stretched -out on the cold pavement, gagged and bound, with his eyes put out. Soon -after he perceived the favourite Sultana, who before was seated by his -side, enter with a bowl of poison, which she compelled Aboram to drink, -and afterwards married the successor to his throne. - -“Happy,” said Caloc, “is he whom Providence has by the angel of death -snatched from guilt! from whom that power is withheld, which, if he had -possessed, would have accumulated upon himself yet greater misery than it -could bring upon others.” - -“It is enough,” cried Bozaldab; “I adore the inscrutable schemes of -omniscience!—From what dreadful evil has my son been rescued by a -death, which I rashly bewailed as unfortunate and premature; a death -of innocence and peace, which has blessed his memory upon earth, and -transmitted his spirit to the skies!” - -“Cast away the dagger,” replied the heavenly messenger, “which thou wast -preparing to plunge into thine own heart. Exchange complaint for silence, -and doubt for adoration. Can a mortal look down, without giddiness and -stupifaction, in the vast abyss of Eternal Wisdom? Can a mind that sees -not infinitely, perfectly comprehend any thing among an infinity of -objects mutually relative? Can the channels, which thou commandest to be -cut to receive the annual inundations of the Nile, contain the waters -of the ocean? Remember, that perfect happiness cannot be conferred on -a creature; for perfect happiness is an attribute as incommunicable as -perfect power and eternity.” - -The Angel, while he was speaking thus, stretched out his pinions to fly -back to the Empyreum; and the flutter of his wings was like the rushing -of a cataract. - - - - -THE STORY OF OBIDAH. - - -Obidah, the son of Abensina, left the caravansera early in the morning, -and pursued his journey through the plains of Indostan. He was fresh and -vigourous with rest; he was animated with hope; he was incited by desire; -he walked swiftly forward over the vallies, and saw the hills gradually -rising before him. As he passed along, his ears were delighted with the -morning song of the bird of Paradise; he was fanned by the last flutters -of the sinking breeze, and sprinkled with dew by groves of spices: he -sometimes contemplated the towering height of the oak, monarch of the -hills; and sometimes caught the gentle fragrance of the primrose, eldest -daughter of the spring: all his senses were gratified, and all care was -banished from his heart. - -Thus he went on till the sun approached his meridian, and the increasing -heat preyed upon his strength; he then looked round about him for some -more commodious path. He saw, on his right hand, a grove that seemed -to wave its shades as a sign of invitation; he entered it, and found -the coolness and verdure irresistibly pleasant. He did not however, -forget whither he was travelling, but found a narrow way, bordered with -flowers, which appeared to have the same direction with the main road, -and was pleased that, by this happy experiment, he had found means to -unite pleasure with business, and gain the rewards of diligence without -suffering its fatigues. He therefore still continued to walk for a time, -without the least remission of his ardour, except that he was sometimes -tempted to stop by the music of the birds, whom the heat had assembled -in the shade, and sometimes amused himself with plucking the flowers -that covered the banks on either side, or the fruits that hung upon -the branches. At last the green path began to decline from its first -tendency, and to wind among hills and thickets, cooled with fountains, -and murmuring with waterfalls. Here Obidah paused for a time, and began -to consider whether it were longer safe to forsake the known and common -track; but remembering that the heat was now in its greatest violence, -and that the plain was dusty and uneven, he resolved to pursue the new -path, which he supposed only to make a few meanders, in compliance with -the varieties of the ground, and to end at last in the common road. - -Having thus calmed his solicitude, he renewed his pace, though he -suspected that he was not gaining ground. This uneasiness of his mind -inclined him to lay hold on every new object, and give way to every -sensation that might sooth and divert him. He listened to every echo, -he mounted every hill for a fresh prospect, he turned aside to every -cascade, and pleased himself with tracing the course of a gentle river -that rolled among the trees, and watered a large region with innumerable -circumvolutions. In these amusements the hours passed away unaccounted, -his deviations had perplexed his memory, and he knew not towards what -point to travel. He stood pensive and confused, afraid to go forward lest -he should go wrong, yet conscious that the time of loitering was now -past. While he was thus tortured with uncertainty, the sky was overspread -with clouds, the day vanished from before him, and a sudden tempest -gathered round his head. He was now roused by his danger to a quick and -painful remembrance of his folly; he now saw how happiness is lost when -ease is consulted; he lamented the unmanly impatience that prompted him -to seek shelter in the grove, and despised the petty curiosity that led -him on from trifle to trifle. While he was thus reflecting, the air grew -blacker, and a clap of thunder broke his meditation. - -He now resolved to do what remained yet in his power, to tread back the -ground which he had passed, and try to find some issue where the wood -might open into the plain. He prostrated himself on the ground, and -commended his life to the Lord of Nature. He rose with confidence and -tranquillity, and pressed on with his sabre in hand, for the beasts of -the desart were in motion, and on every hand were mingled howls of rage -and fear, and savage expiration; all the horrors of darkness and solitude -surrounded him; the winds roared in the woods, and the torrents tumbled -from the hills. - - Work’d into sudden rage by wint’ry show’rs, - Down the steep hill the roaring torrent pours; - The mountain shepherd hears the distant noise. - -Thus forlorn and distressed, he wandered through the wild, without -knowing whither he was going, or whether he was every moment drawing -nearer to safety or to destruction. At length not fear but labour began -to overcome him; his breath grew short, and his knees trembled, and he -was on the point of lying down in resignation to his fate, when he beheld -through the branches the glimmer of a taper. He advanced towards the -light, and finding that it proceeded from the cottage of a hermit, he -called humbly at the door, and obtained admission. The old man set before -him such provisions as he had collected for himself, on which Obidah fed -with eagerness and gratitude. - -When the repast was over, “Tell me,” said the hermit, “by what chance -thou hast been brought hither; I have been now twenty years an inhabitant -of the wilderness, in which I never saw a man before.” Obidah then -related the occurrences of his journey, without any concealment or -palliation. - -“Son,” said the hermit, “let the errors and follies, the dangers and -escapes, of this day, sink deep into thy heart. Remember, my son, that -human life is the journey of a day: we rise in the morning of youth, -full of vigour, and full of expectation; we set forward with spirit and -hope, with gaiety and with diligence, and travel on awhile in the strait -road of piety towards the mansions of rest. In a short time we remit our -fervour, and endeavour to find some mitigation of our duty, and some -more easy means of obtaining the same end. We then relax our vigour, and -resolve no longer to be terrified with crimes at a distance, but rely -upon our own constancy, and venture to approach what we resolve never -to touch. We thus enter the bowers of ease, and repose in the shades of -security. Here the heart softens, and vigilance subsides; we are then -willing to inquire whether another advance cannot be made, and whether we -may not at least turn our eyes upon the gardens of pleasure. We approach -them with scruple and hesitation; we enter them, but enter timorous and -trembling, and always hope to pass through them without losing the road -of virtue, which we, for awhile, keep in our sight, and to which we -propose to return. But temptation succeeds temptation, and one compliance -prepares us for another; we in time lose the happiness of innocence, and -solace our disquiet with sensual gratifications. By degrees we let fall -the remembrance of our original intention, and quit the only adequate -object of rational desire. We entangle ourselves in business, immerge -ourselves in luxury, and rove through the labyrinths of inconstancy, till -the darkness of old age begins to invade us, and disease and anxiety -obstruct our way. We then look back upon our lives with horror, with -sorrow, with repentance; and wish, but too often vainly wish, that we had -not forsaken the ways of virtue. Happy are they, my son, who shall learn -from thy example not to despair, but shall remember, that though the day -is past, and their strength is wasted, there yet remains one effort to -be made; that reformation is never hopeless, nor sincere endeavours ever -unassisted; that the wanderer may at length return after all his errors, -and that he who implores strength and courage from above, shall find -danger and difficulty give way before him. Go now, my son, to thy repose, -commit thyself to the care of Omnipotence, and when the morning calls -again to toil, begin anew thy journey and thy life.” - - - - -INGRATITUDE PUNISHED. - - -A Dervise, venerable by his age, fell ill in the house of a woman who -had been long a widow, and lived in extreme poverty in the suburbs of -Balsora. He was so touched with the care and zeal with which she had -assisted him, that at his departure he said to her, “I have remarked that -you have wherewith to subsist alone, but that you have not subsistence -enough to share it with your only son, the young Abdallah. If you will -trust him to my care, I will endeavour to acknowledge, in his person, -the obligations I have to you for your care of me.” The good woman -received this proposal with joy; and the Dervise departed with the young -man, advertising her, that they must perform a journey which would last -nearly two years. As they travelled he kept him in affluence, gave him -excellent instructions, cured him of a dangerous disease with which he -was attacked; in fine, he took the same care of him as if he had been his -own son. Abdallah a hundred times testified his gratitude to him for all -his bounties; but the old man always answered, “My son, it is by actions -that gratitude is proved; we shall see in a proper time and place, -whether you are so grateful as you pretend.” - -One day, as they continued their travels, they found themselves in a -solitary place, and the Dervise said to Abdallah, “My son, we are now at -the end of our journey; I shall employ my prayers to obtain from Heaven, -that the earth may open and make an entrance wide enough to permit -thee to descend into a place where thou wilt find one of the greatest -treasures that the earth incloses into her bowels. Hast thou courage to -descend into this subterraneous vault?” continued he. Abdallah swore -to him, he might depend upon his obedience and zeal. Then the Dervise -lighted a small fire, into which he cast a perfume; he read and prayed -for some moments, after which the earth opened, and the Dervise said to -him—“Thou mayest now enter, my dear Abdallah, remember that it is in -thy power to do me a great service; and that this is, perhaps, the only -opportunity thou canst ever have of testifying to me that thou art not -ungrateful: Do not let thyself be dazzled by all the riches thou wilt -find there; think only of seizing upon an iron candlestick with twelve -branches, which thou wilt find close to a door; that is absolutely -necessary to me; come up immediately, and bring it to me.” Abdallah -promised every thing, and descended boldly into the vault. But forgetting -what had been expressly recommended to him, whilst he was filling his -vest and bosom with gold and jewels, which this subterraneous vault -inclosed in prodigious heaps, the opening by which he entered closed of -itself. He had, however, presence of mind enough to seize on the iron -candlestick, which the Dervise had so strongly recommended to him; and -though the situation he was in was very terrible, he did not abandon -himself to despair; and thinking only in what manner he should get out -of a place which might become his grave, he apprehended that the vault -had closed only because he had not followed the order of the Dervise; -he recalled to his memory the care and goodness he had loaded him with; -reproached himself with his ingratitude, and finished his meditation by -humbling himself before God. At length, after much pains and inquietude, -he was fortunate enough to find a narrow passage which led him out -of this obscure cave; though it was not till he had followed it a -considerable way, that he perceived a small opening covered with briars -and thorns, through which he returned to the light of the sun. He looked -on all sides, to see if he could perceive the Dervise, but in vain; he -designed to deliver him the iron candlestick he so much wished for, and -formed a design of quitting him, being rich enough with what he had taken -out of the cavern, to live in affluence without his assistance. - -Not perceiving the Dervise, nor remembering any of the places through -which he had passed, he went on as fortune had directed him, and was -extremely astonished to find himself opposite to his mother’s house, -which he imagined he was at a great distance from him. She immediately -enquired after the holy Dervise. Abdallah told her frankly what had -happened to him, and the danger he had run to satisfy his unreasonable -desires; he afterwards shewed her the riches with which he was loaded. -His mother concluded, upon the sight of them, that the Dervise only -designed to make trial of his courage and obedience, and that they ought -to make use of the happiness which fortune had presented to them; adding, -that doubtless such was the intention of the holy Dervise. Whilst they -contemplated upon these treasures with avidity; whilst they were dazzled -with the lustre of them, and formed a thousand projects in consequence of -them, they all vanished away before their eyes. It was then that Abdallah -sincerely reproached himself for his ingratitude and disobedience; and, -perceiving that the iron candlestick had resisted the enchantment, or -rather the just punishment which those deserve who do not execute what -they promise, he said, prostrating himself, “What happened to me is just; -I have lost what I had no design to restore, and the candlestick which I -intended to deliver to the Dervise, remains with me: It is a proof that -it rightly belongs to him, and that the rest was unjustly acquired.” As -he finished these words, he placed the candlestick in the midst of their -little house. - -When the night was come, without reflecting upon it, he placed the light -in the candlestick. Immediately they saw a Dervise appear, who turned -round for an hour, and disappeared, after having thrown them an asper. -The candlestick had twelve branches. Abdallah, who was meditating all -the day upon what he had seen the night before, was willing to know what -would happen the next night, if he put a light in each of them; he did -so, and twelve Dervises appeared that instant; they turned round also for -an hour, and each threw an asper as they disappeared. He repeated every -day the same ceremony, which had always the same success; but he could -never make it succeed more than once in twenty-four hours. This trifling -sum was enough to make his mother and himself subsist tolerably: there -was a time when they would have desired no more to be happy; but it was -not considerable enough to change their fortune: it is always dangerous -for the imagination to be fixed upon the idea of riches. The sight of -what he believed he should possess; the projects he had formed for the -employment of it; all these things had left such profound traces in the -mind of Abdallah, that nothing could efface them. Therefore, seeing the -small advantage he drew from the candlestick, he resolved to carry it -back to the Dervise, in hopes that he might obtain of him the treasure -he had seen, or at least find again the riches which had vanished from -their sight, by restoring to him a thing for which he testified so -earnest a desire. He was so fortunate as to remember his name, and that -of the city where he inhabited. He departed, therefore, immediately for -Magrebi, carrying with him his candlestick, which he lighted every night, -and by that means furnished himself with what was necessary on the road, -without being obliged to implore the assistance and compassion of the -faithful. When he arrived at Magrebi, his first care was to enquire in -what house, or in what convent, Abounadar lodged; he was so well known -that every body told him his habitation. He repaired thither directly, -and found fifty porters who kept the gate of his house, having each a -staff with a head of gold in their hands: the court of this palace was -filled with slaves and domestics; in fine, the residence of a prince -could not expose to view greater magnificence. Abdallah, struck with -astonishment and admiration, feared to proceed. Certainly, thought he, -I either explained myself wrong, or those to whom I addressed myself -designed to make a jest of me, because I was a stranger: this is not -the habitation of a Dervise, it is that of a king. He was in this -embarrassment when a man approached him, and said to him, “Abdallah, -thou art welcome; my master, Abounadar, has long expected thee.” He -then conducted him to an agreeable and magnificent pavilion, where the -Dervise was seated. Abdallah, struck with the riches which he beheld -on all sides, would have prostrated himself at his feet, but Abounadar -prevented him, and interrupted him when he would have made a merit of -the candlestick, which he presented to him. “Thou art but an ungrateful -wretch,” said he to him: “Dost thou imagine that thou canst impose upon -me? I am not ignorant of any one of thy thoughts; and if thou hadst known -the value of this candlestick, thou would never have brought it to me: I -will make thee sensible of its true use.” Immediately he placed a light -in each of its branches; and when the twelve Dervises had turned round -for some time, Abounadar gave each of them a blow with a cane, and in -a moment they were converted into twelve sequins, diamonds, and other -precious stones. “This,” said he, “is the proper use to be made of this -marvellous candlestick. As to me, I never desired it, but to place it -in my cabinet, as a talisman composed by a sage whom I revere, and am -pleased to expose sometimes to those who come to visit me: and to prove -to thee,” added he, “that curiosity was the only occasion of my search -for it; here are keys of my magazines, open them, and thou shalt judge -of my riches: thou shalt tell me whether the most insatiable miser would -not be satisfied with them.” Abdallah obeyed him, and examined twelve -magazines of great extent, so full of all manner of riches, that he could -not distinguish what merited his admiration most; they all deserved it, -and produced new desires. The regret of having restored the candlestick, -and that of not having found out the use of it, pierced the heart of -Abdallah. Abounadar seemed not to perceive it; on the contrary, he loaded -him with caresses, kept him some days in the house, and commanded him to -be treated as himself. When he was at the eve of the day which he had -fixed for his departure, he said to him, “Abdallah, my son, I believe -by what has happened to thee, thou art corrected of the frightful vice -of ingratitude; however, I owe thee a mark of my affection, for having -undertaken so long a journey, with a view of bringing me the thing I had -desired: thou may’st depart, I shall detain thee no longer. Thou shalt -find to-morrow, at the gate of my palace, one of my horses to carry thee; -I make thee a present of it, as well as of a slave, who shall conduct -thee to thy house; and two camels loaded with gold and jewels, which thou -shalt choose thyself out of my treasures.” Abdallah said to him all that -a heart sensible to avarice could express when its passion was satisfied, -and went to lie down till the morning arrived, which was fixed for his -departure. - -During the night he was still agitated, without being able to think of -any thing but the candlestick and what it produced. “I had it,” said he, -“so long in my power; Abounadar, without me, had never been the possessor -of it: what risks did I not run in the subterraneous vault? Why does he -now possess this treasure of treasures? Because I had the probity, or -rather the folly, to bring it back to him; he profits by my labour, and -the danger I have incurred in so long a journey. And what does he give -me in return? Two camels loaded with gold and jewels; in one moment the -candlestick will furnish him with ten times as much. It is Abounadar who -is ungrateful: what wrong shall I do him in taking this candlestick? -None, certainly, for he is rich: and what do I possess?” These ideas -determined him, at length, to make all possible attempts to seize upon -the candlestick. The thing was not difficult, Abounadar having trusted -him with the keys of the magazines. He knew where the candlestick was -placed; he seized upon it, hid it in the bottom of one of the sacks, -which he filled with pieces of gold and other riches which he was allowed -to take, and loaded it, as well as the rest, upon his camels. He had no -other eagerness now than for his departure; and after having hastily bid -adieu to the generous Abounadar, he delivered him his keys, and departed -with his horse, and slave, and two camels. - -When he was some days journey from Balsora, he sold his slave, resolving -not to have a witness of his former poverty, nor of the source of his -present riches. He bought another, and arrived without any obstacle at -his mother’s, whom he would scarcely look upon, so much was he taken up -with his treasure. His first care was to place the loads of his camels, -and the candlestick, in the most private part of the house; and, in his -impatience to feed his eyes, with his great opulence, he placed lights -immediately in the candlestick: the twelve Dervises appearing, he gave -each of them a blow with a cane with all his strength, lest he should -be failing in the laws of the talisman: but he had not remarked, that -Abounadar, when he struck them, had the cane in his left hand. Abdallah, -by a natural motion, made use of his right; and the Dervises, instead -of becoming heaps of riches, immediately drew from beneath their robes -each a formidable club, with which they struck him almost dead, and -disappeared, carrying with them all his treasures, the camels, the horse, -the slave, and the candlestick. - -Thus was Abdallah punished by poverty, and almost by death, for his -unreasonable ambition, which perhaps might have been pardonable, if it -had not been accompanied by an ingratitude as wicked as it was audacious, -since he had not so much as the resource of being able to conceal his -perfidies from the too piercing eyes of his benefactor. - -FINIS. - -Harrild, Printer, Eastcheap. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Oriental tales, for the entertainment -of youth, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIENTAL TALES FOR ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH *** - -***** This file should be named 62868-0.txt or 62868-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/8/6/62868/ - -Produced by Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/62868-0.zip b/old/62868-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1cba9e6..0000000 --- a/old/62868-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62868-h.zip b/old/62868-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3033dfc..0000000 --- a/old/62868-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62868-h/62868-h.htm b/old/62868-h/62868-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 7a7ec36..0000000 --- a/old/62868-h/62868-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3374 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Oriental Tales, by Various. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - -<style type="text/css"> - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -h2.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} - -hr { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -div.chapter { - page-break-before: always; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.caption { - text-align: center; - font-size: 120%; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.larger { - font-size: 150%; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.poetry-container { - text-align: center; - margin: 1em; -} - -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} - -.poetry .stanza { - margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; -} - -.poetry .verse { - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent0 { - text-indent: -3em; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; - line-height: 1.8em; -} - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Oriental tales, for the entertainment of -youth, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth - Selected from the most eminent English writers - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: August 6, 2020 [EBook #62868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIENTAL TALES FOR ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH *** - - - - -Produced by Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 475px;"> - -<p class="caption">FRONTISPIECE</p> - -<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="475" height="600" alt="" /> - -<p>“A certain Cham of Tartary going a progress with -his nobles, was met by a Dervise, who cried with a loud -voice,”—“Whoever will give me a hundred pieces of -gold, I will give him a piece of advice.”——<a href="#Page_13">Page 13.</a>]</p> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="larger">ORIENTAL TALES,</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">FOR THE</span><br /> -<i>ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH</i>:<br /> -<span class="smaller">SELECTED FROM THE</span><br /> -MOST EMINENT ENGLISH WRITERS.</p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller"><i>LONDON</i>:</span><br /> -PRINTED AND SOLD BY R. HARRILD,<br /> -<span class="smaller"><i>No. 20, Great Eastcheap</i>.</span><br /> -1814</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> - -<h1>ORIENTAL TALES.</h1> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/line.jpg" width="100" height="15" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE MERCHANT AND HIS SONS.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A certain merchant had two sons, the -eldest of whom was of so bad a disposition as to -behave with great hatred and ill-nature towards -the younger, who was of a temper more mild and -gentle. It happened that the old gentleman, after -having acquired a large estate by his trade, -left it by his will to his eldest son, together with -all his ships and stock in merchandize, desiring -him to continue in the business, and support his -brother.</p> - -<p>The father was no sooner dead than the elder<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> -began to shew his ill-will to his brother. He -desired him to leave his house, and, without giving -him any thing for his support, turned him -loose into the wide world. The young man was -much dejected with this treatment; but, considering -that in his father’s life-time he had acquired -some knowledge of business, he applied -to a neighbouring merchant, offering to serve -him in the way of trade.</p> - -<p>The merchant received him into his house, and -finding from long experience that he was prudent, -virtuous, and diligent in his business, gave -him his daughter and only child in marriage, -and, when he died, bequeathed to him his whole -fortune. The young man, after the death of -his father-in-law, retired with his wife into a -distant part of the country, where he purchased -a fine estate, with a splendid dwelling; and -there he lived with great credit and reputation.</p> - -<p>The elder brother, after the father’s death, for -some time had great success in trade. At length, -however, a violent storm tore to pieces many of -his ships, which were coming home richly laden. -About the same time some persons failing, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> -had much of their money in his hands, he was -reduced to great want. To complete his misfortunes, -the little which he had left at home was -consumed by a sudden fire, which burnt his -house, and every thing in it; so that he was -brought into a state of beggary.</p> - -<p>In this forlorn condition, he had no other resource -to keep himself from starving than to -wander up and down the country, imploring the -assistance of well-disposed persons. It happened -one day, that having travelled many miles, -and obtained but little relief, he saw a gentleman -walking in the fields, not far from a fine seat. -To this gentleman he addressed himself, and -having laid before him his misfortunes and his -present necessitous condition, he earnestly entreated -him to grant him some assistance. The -gentleman, who happened to be no other than -his own brother, did not at first know him; but -after some discourse with him, he perceived who -he was. At first, however, he did not make it -appear that he had any knowledge of him, but -brought him home, and ordered his servants to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -take care of him, and furnish him for that night -with lodgings and victuals.</p> - -<p>In the mean time he resolved to discover himself -to his brother next morning, and offer him a -constant habitation in his house, after he had -got the consent of his wife to the proposal. Accordingly, -next morning, he ordered the poor -man to be sent for. When he was come into -his presence, he asked if he knew him. -The poor man answered, he did not. I am, -said he, bursting into tears, your only brother! -and immediately fell on his neck, and embraced -him with great tenderness. The elder, quite -astonished at this accident, fell to the ground, -and began to make many excuses, and to beg -pardon for his former cruel behaviour. To -whom the other answered, “Brother, let us forget -those things; I heartily forgive you all that -is past; you need not range up and down the -world; you shall be welcome to live with me.” -He readily accepted the proposal, and they lived -together with great comfort and happiness till -death.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">STORY OF MENCIUS.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>As Mencius, the philosopher, was travelling -in pursuit of wisdom, night overtook him at the -foot of a gloomy mountain, remote from the habitations -of men. Here, as he was straying, -(while rain and thunder conspired to make solitude -still more hideous) he perceived a hermit’s -cell, and approaching, asked for shelter. “Enter,” -cries the hermit in a severe tone; “men -deserve not to be obliged; but it would be imitating -their ingratitude to treat them as they deserve. -Come in: examples of vice may sometimes -strengthen us in the ways of virtue.”</p> - -<p>After a frugal meal, which consisted of roots -and tea, Mencius could not repress his curiosity -to know why the hermit had retired from mankind, -whose actions taught the truest lessons of -wisdom. “Mention not the name of man,” -cried the hermit with indignation; “here let me -live retired from a base ungrateful world; here, -in the forest I shall find no flatterers. The lion -is an open enemy, and the dog a faithful friend; -but man, base man, can poison the bowl, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -smile when he presents it.” “You have then -been used ill by mankind?” interrupted the philosopher -drily. “Yes,” replied the hermit; -“on mankind I have exhausted my whole fortune; -and this staff, that cup, and those roots, -are all that I have in return.”—“Did you bestow -your fortune among them, or did you only -lend it?” returned Mencius. “I bestowed it, -undoubtedly,” replied the other; “for where -were the merit of being a money lender?”—“Did -they ever own that they received your benefits?” -still adds the philosopher. “A thousand -times,” cries the hermit; “they every day loaded -me with professions of gratitude for favours -received, and solicitations for future ones.”—“If, -then, (says Mencius smiling) you did not -lend your fortune in order to have it returned, -it is injustice to accuse them of ingratitude; -they owned themselves obliged; you expected -no more; and they certainly earn a favour who -stoop to acknowledge the obligation.”—The hermit -was struck with the reply; and, surveying -his guest with emotion, “I have heard of the -great Mencius, and thou certainly art the man.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -I am now fourscore years old, but still a child in -wisdom; take me back to the world, and educate -me as one of the most ignorant, and youngest, -of thy disciples.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF SCHACABAC.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Schacabac being reduced to great poverty, and -having eat nothing for two days together, made -a visit to a noble Barmecide, in Persia, who was -very hospitable, but withal a great humourist.—The -Barmecide was sitting at his table, that -seemed ready covered for an entertainment. -Upon hearing Schacabac’s complaint, he desired -him to sit down and fall on. He then gave him -an empty plate, and asked him how he liked his -rice-soup. Schacabac, who was a man of wit, -and resolved to comply with the Barmecide in -all his humours, told him it was admirable, and -at the same time, in imitation of the other, lifted -up the empty spoon to his mouth with great -pleasure. The Barmecide then asked him if he -ever saw whiter bread? Schacabac, who saw<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> -neither bread nor meat, If I did not like it, you -may be sure, says he, I should not eat so heartily -of it. You oblige me mightily, replied the -Barmecide, pray let me help you to this leg of -goose. Schacabac reached out his plate, and received -nothing on it with great chearfulness. -As he was eating very heartily of this imaginary -goose, and crying up the sauce to the skies, the -Barmecide desired him to keep a corner of his -stomach for a roasted lamb, fed with pistachio-nuts, -and after having called for it, as though it -had really been served up, Here is a dish, says -he, that you will see at nobody’s table but my -own. Schacabac was wonderfully delighted -with the taste of it, which is like nothing, says -he, I ever eat before. Several other nice dishes -were served up in idea, which both of them -commended, and feasted on after the same manner. -This was followed by an invisible desert, -no part of which delighted Schacabac so much -as a certain lozenge, which the Barmecide told -him was a sweet-meat of his own invention. -Schacabac at length, being courteously reproached -by the Barmecide, that he had no stomach<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span>, -and that he eat nothing, and at the same time -being tired with moving his jaws up and down -to no purpose, desired to be excused, for that -really he was so full that he could not eat a bit -more. Come, then, says the Barmecide, the -cloth shall be removed, and you shall taste of my -wines, which I may say, without vanity, are the -best in Persia. He then filled both their glasses -out of an empty decanter. Schacabac would -have excused himself from drinking so much at -once, because he said he was a little quarrelsome -in his liquor; however, being prest to it, he pretended -to take it off, having before-hand praised -the colour, and afterwards the flavour. Being -plied with two or three other imaginary bumpers -of different wines equally delicious, and a -little vexed with this fantastic treat, he pretended -to grow fluttered, and gave the Barmecide a -good box on the ear; but immediately recovering -himself, Sir, says he, I beg ten thousand pardons, -but I told you before, that it was my misfortune -to be quarrelsome in my drink. The -Barmecide could not but smile at the humour of -his guest, and instead of being angry with him,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -I find, says he, thou art a complaisant fellow, and -deservest to be entertained in my house. Since -thou canst accommodate thyself to my humour, -we will now eat together in good earnest. Upon -which calling for his supper, the rice-soup, the -goose, the pistachio-lamb, the several other nice -dishes, with the desert, the lozenges, and all the -variety of Persian wines, were served up successively -one after another; and Schacabac was -feasted, in reality, with those very things which -he had before been entertained within imagination.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">HAMET AND RASCHID.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>When the plains of India were burnt up by -a long continuance of drought, Hamet and Raschid, -two neighbouring shepherds, faint with -thirst, stood at the common boundary of their -grounds, with their flocks and herds panting -round them, and in extremity of distress prayed -for water. On a sudden the air was becalmed, -the birds ceased to chirp, and the flocks to bleat.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span> -They turned their eyes every way, and saw a being -of mighty stature advancing through the valley, -whom they knew upon his nearer approach -to be the Genius of Distribution. In one hand -he held the sheaves of plenty, and in the other, -the sabre of destruction. The shepherds stood -trembling, and would have retired before him; -but he called to them with a voice gentle as the -breeze that plays in the evening among the spices -of Sabæa: “Fly not from your benefactor, children -of the dust! I am come to offer you gifts, -which only your own folly can make vain. You -here pray for water, and water I will bestow; -let me know with how much you will be satisfied: -speak not rashly; consider, that of whatever -can be enjoyed by the body, excess is no -less dangerous than scarcity. When you remember -the pain of thirst, do not forget the danger -of suffocation. Now, Hamet, tell me your -request.”</p> - -<p>“O Being, kind and beneficent,” says Hamet, -“let thine eye pardon my confusion. I entreat -a little brook, which in summer shall never be -dry, and in winter never overflow.” “It is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -granted,” replies the Genius; and immediately -he opened the ground with his sabre, and a fountain -bubbling up under their feet, scattered its -rills over the meadows; the flowers renewed -their fragrance, the trees spread a greener foilage, -and the flocks and herds quenched their -thirst.</p> - -<p>Then turning to Raschid, the Genius invited -him likewise to offer his petition. “I request,” -says Raschid, “that thou wilt turn the Ganges -through my grounds, with all his waters, and all -their inhabitants.” Hamet was struck with the -greatness of his neighbour’s sentiments, and secretly -repined in his heart, that he had not made -the same petition before him; when the Genius -spoke, “Rash man, be not insatiable! remember, -to thee that is nothing which thou canst not -use; and how are thy wants greater than the -wants of Hamet?” Raschid repeated his desire, -and pleased himself with the mean appearance -that Hamet would make in the presence of the -proprietor of the Ganges. The Genius then retired -towards the river, and the two shepherds -stood waiting the event. As Raschid was looking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span> -with contempt upon his neighbour, on a -sudden was heard the roar of torrents, and they -found by the mighty stream that the mounds of -the Ganges were broken. The flood rolled forward -into the lands of Raschid, his plantations -were torn up, his flocks overwhelmed, he was -swept away before it, and a crocodile devoured -him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE CHAM AND THE DERVISE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A certain Cham of Tartary going a progress -with his nobles, was met by a Dervise, who -cried with a loud voice, <i>whoever will give me a -hundred pieces of gold, I will give him a piece of -advice</i>. The Cham ordered him the sum: upon -which the Dervise said, <i>begin nothing of which -thou hast not well considered the end</i>.</p> - -<p>The courtiers upon hearing this plain sentence, -smiled, and said with a sneer, “The dervise -is well paid for his maxim.” But the king -was so well satisfied with the answer, that he ordered -it to be written in golden letters in several<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -places of his palace, and engraved on all his -plate. Not long after, the king’s surgeon was -bribed to kill him with a poisoned lancet at the -time he let him blood. One day, when the -king’s arm was bound, and the fatal lancet in -the surgeon’s hand, he read on the bason, <i>begin -nothing of which thou hast not well considered the -end</i>. He immediately started, and let the lancet -fall out of his hand. The king observed his -confusion, and enquired the reason: the surgeon -fell prostrate, confessed the whole affair, and -was pardoned, and the conspirators died. The -Cham, turning to his courtiers who heard the -advice with contempt, told them, “that counsel -could not be too much valued, which had saved -a king’s life.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF OMAR.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Omar, the hermit of the mountain Aubukabis, -which rises on the east of Mecca, and overlooks -the city, found one evening a man sitting -pensive and alone, within a few paces of his cell.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -Omar regarded him with attention, and perceived -that his looks were wild and haggard, and -that his body was feeble and emaciated: the -man also seemed to gaze stedfastly on Omar; -but such was the abstraction of his mind, that -his eye did not immediately take cognizance of -its object. In the moment of recollection he -started as from a dream, he covered his face in -confusion, and bowed himself to the ground.—“Son -of affliction,” said Omar, “who art thou, -and what is thy distress?” “My name,” replied -the stranger, “is Hassan, and I am a native of -this city: the Angel of adversity has laid his -hand upon me; and the wretch whom thine eye -compassionates, thou canst not deliver.” “To -deliver thee,” said Omar, “belongs to Him only, -from whom we should receive with humility both -good and evil; yet hide not thy life from me; -for the burthen which I cannot remove, I may at -least enable thee to sustain.” Hassan fixed his -eyes upon the ground, and remained some time -silent; then fetching a deep sigh, he looked up -at the hermit, and thus complied with his request.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span></p> - -<p>It is now six years since our mighty lord the -Calif Almalic, whose memory be blessed, first -came privately to worship in the temple of the -holy city. The blessings which he petitioned of -the Prophet, as the Prophet’s vicegerent, he was -diligent to dispense; in the intervals of his devotion, -therefore, he went about the city, relieving -distress, and restraining oppression: the widow -smiled under his protection, and the weakness -of age and infancy was sustained by his -bounty. I, who dreaded no evil but sickness, -and expected no good beyond the reward of my -labour, was singing at my work, when Almalic -entered my dwelling. He looked round with a -smile of complacency; perceiving that though it -was mean, it was neat, and that though I was -poor, I appeared to be content. As his habit -was that of a pilgrim, I hastened to receive him -with such hospitality as was in my power; and -my cheerfulness was rather increased than restrained -by his presence. After he had accepted -some coffee, he asked me many questions; -and though by my answers I always endeavoured -to excite him to mirth, yet I perceived that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -he grew thoughtful, and eyed me with a placid -but fixed attention. I suspected that he had -some knowledge of me, and therefore inquired -his country and his name. “Hassan,” said he, -“I have raised thy curiosity, and it shall be satisfied: -he who now talks with thee is Almalic, -the sovereign of the faithful, whose seat is the -throne of Medina, and whose commission is from -above.” These words struck me dumb with -astonishment, though I had some doubt of their -truth: but Almalic, throwing back his garment, -discovered the peculiarity of his vest, and put -the royal signet upon his finger. I then started -up, and was about to prostrate myself before him, -but he prevented me: “Hassan,” said he, “forbear; -thou art greater than I, and from thee I -have at once derived humility and wisdom.” I -answered, “Mock not thy servant, who is but as -a worm before thee; life and death are in thy -hand, and happiness and misery are the daughters -of thy will.” “Hassan,” he replied, “I -can no otherwise give life or happiness than by -not taking them away: thou art thyself beyond -the reach of my bounty, and possessed of felicity<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -which I can neither communicate nor obtain.—My -influence over others fills my bosom with -perpetual solicitude and anxiety; and yet my -influence over others extends only to their vices, -whether I would reward or punish. By the bow-string, -I can repress violence and fraud; and by -the delegation of my power, I can transfer the -insatiable wishes of avarice and ambition from -one object to another; but with respect to virtue, -I am impotent: if I could reward it, I would -reward it in thee. Thou art content, and hast -therefore neither avarice nor ambition: to exalt -thee, would destroy the simplicity of thy life, and -diminish that happiness which I have no power -either to increase or continue.” He then rose -up, and, commanding me not to disclose his secret, -departed.</p> - -<p>As soon as I recovered from the confusion and -astonishment in which the Calif left me, I began -to regret that my behaviour had intercepted his -bounty; and accused of folly, that cheerfulness -which was the concomitant of poverty and labour. -I now repined at the obscurity of my station, -which my former insensibility had perpetuated:<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -I neglected my labour, because I despised -the reward; I spent the day in idleness, forming -romantic projects to recover the advantages -which I had lost; and at night, instead of losing -myself in that sweet and refreshing sleep, from -which I used to rise with new health, cheerfulness, -and vigour, I dreamt of splendid habits -and a numerous retinue, of gardens, palaces, -eunuchs, and women, and waked only to regret -the illusions that had vanished. My health was -at length impaired by the inquietude of my mind; -I sold all my moveables for subsistence: and reserved -only a mattrass, upon which I sometimes -lay from one night to another.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF OMAR.<br /> -<span class="smaller">(CONCLUDED.)</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the first moon of the following year, the -Calif came again to Mecca, with the same secrecy, -and for the same purposes. He was willing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -once more to see the man, whom he considered -as deriving felicity from himself. But he found -me, not singing at my work, ruddy with health, -and vivid with cheerfulness; but pale and dejected, -sitting on the ground, and chewing -opium, which contributed to substitute the phantoms -of imagination for the realities of greatness. -He entered with a kind of joyful impatience in -his countenance, which, the moment he beheld -me, was changed to a mixture of wonder and -pity. I had often wished for another opportunity -to address the Calif; yet I was confounded -at his presence, and throwing myself at his feet, -I laid my hand upon my head, and was speechless. -“Hassan,” said he, “what canst thou have -lost, whose wealth was the labour of thy own -hand; and what can have made thee sad, the -spring of whose joy was in thy own bosom?—What -evil has befallen thee? Speak, and if I can -remove it, thou art happy.” I was now encouraged -to look up, and I replied, “Let my Lord -forgive the presumption of his servant, who rather -than utter a falsehood, would be dumb for -ever. I am become wretched by the loss of that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> -which I never possessed: thou hast raised wishes -which indeed I am not worthy thou shouldst satisfy: -but why should it be thought, that he who -was happy in obscurity and indigence, would -not have been rendered more happy by eminence -and wealth?”</p> - -<p>When I had finished this speech, Almalic stood -some moments in suspense, and I continued -prostrate before him. “Hassan,” said he, “I -perceive, not with indignation but regret, that I -mistook thy character; I now discover avarice -and ambition in thy heart, which lay torpid only -because their objects were too remote to rouse -them. I cannot, therefore, invest thee with authority, -because I would not subject my people -to oppression; and because I would not be compelled -to punish thee for crimes which I first enabled -thee to commit.</p> - -<p>“But as I have taken from thee that which I -cannot restore, I will at least gratify the wishes -that I excited, lest thy heart accuse me of injustice, -and thou continue still a stranger to thyself. -Arise, therefore, and follow me.” I sprung from -the ground as it were with the wing of an eagle;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span> -I kissed the hem of his garment in an extasy of -gratitude and joy; and when I went from my -house, my heart leaped as if it had escaped from -the den of a lion. I followed Almalic to the caravansary -in which he lodged; and after he had -fulfilled his vows, he took me with him to Medina. -He gave me an apartment in the seraglio; -I was attended by his own servants; my provisions -were sent from his own table; and I received -every week a sum from his treasury, which -exceeded the most romantic of my expectations. -But I soon discovered, that no dainty was so -tasteful, as the food to which labour procured an -appetite; no slumbers so sweet as those which -weariness invited; and no time so well enjoyed, -as that in which diligence is expecting its reward. -I remembered these enjoyments with regret; -and while I was sighing in the midst of -superfluities, which though they encumbered -life, yet I could not give up, they were suddenly -taken away.</p> - -<p>Almalic, in the midst of the glory of his kingdom, -and in the full vigour of his life, expired -suddenly in the bath; such, thou knowest, was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span> -the destiny which the Almighty had written upon -his head.</p> - -<p>His son Aububeker, who succeeded to the -throne, was incensed against me, by some who -regarded me at once with contempt and envy: -he suddenly withdrew my pension, and commanded -that I should be expelled the palace; a -command which my enemies executed with so -much rigour, that within twelve hours I found -myself in the streets of Medina, indigent and -friendless, exposed to hunger and derision, with -all the habits of luxury, and all the sensibility of -pride. O! let not thy heart despise me, thou -whom experience hast not taught, that it is misery -to lose that which it is not happiness to possess. -O! that for me, this lesson had not been -written on the tablets of Providence! I have travelled -from Medina to Mecca: but I cannot fly -from myself. How different are the states in -which I have been placed! The remembrance of -both is bitter; for the pleasures of neither can -return. Hassan, having thus ended his story, -smote his hands together, and looking upwards, -burst into tears.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span></p> - -<p>Omar, having waited till this agony was past, -went to him, and taking him by the hand, “My -son,” said he, “more is yet in thy power than -Almalic could give, or Aububeker take away. -The lesson of thy life the Prophet has in mercy -appointed me to explain.</p> - -<p>“Thou wast once content with poverty and -labour, only because they were become habitual, -and ease and affluence were placed beyond thy -hope; for when ease and affluence approached -thee, thou wast content with poverty and labour -no more. That which then became the object, -was also the bound of thy hope; and he, whose -utmost hope is disappointed, must inevitably be -wretched. If thy supreme desire had been the -delights of Paradise, and thou hadst believed that -by the tenor of thy life these delights had been -secured, as more could not have been given thee, -thou wouldst not have regretted that less was not -offered. The content which was once enjoyed -was but the lethargy of the soul; and the distress -which is now suffered, will but quicken it to action. -Depart, therefore, and be thankful for all -things: put thy trust in Him, who alone can<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -gratify the wish of reason, and satisfy the soul -with good: fix thy hope upon that portion, in -comparison of which the world is as the drop of -the bucket, and the dust of the balance. Return, -my son, to thy labour; thy food shall be again -tasteful, and thy rest shall be sweet: to thy content -also will be added stability, when it depends -not upon that which is possessed upon earth, -but upon that which is expected in Heaven.”</p> - -<p>Hassan, upon whose mind the Angel of instruction -impressed the counsel of Omar, hastened -to prostrate himself in the temple of the Prophet. -Peace dawned upon his mind like the radiance -of the morning: he returned to his labour -with cheerfulness; his devotion became fervent -and habitual: and the latter days of Hassan were -happier than the first.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">STORY OF A DERVISE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A Dervise, travelling through Tartary, went -into the king’s palace by mistake, as thinking it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -to be a public inn, or caravansary. Having -looked about him for some time, he entered into -a long gallery, where he laid down his wallet, -and spread his carpet, in order to repose himself -upon it, after the manner of the eastern nations.</p> - -<p>He had not been long in this posture before he -was discovered by some of the guards, who asked -him what was his business in that place? The -dervise told them that he intended to take up his -night’s lodging in that caravansary. The guards -told him, in a very angry manner, that the house -he was in was not a caravansary, but the king’s -palace. It happened that the king himself passed -through the gallery during this debate; and, -smiling at the mistake of the dervise, asked him -how he could possibly be so dull as not to distinguish -a palace from a caravansary.</p> - -<p>Sir, says the dervise, give me leave to ask your -majesty a question or two. Who were the persons -that lodged in this house when it was first -built? The king replied, his ancestors. And -who, says the dervise, was the last person that -lodged here? The king replied, his father. And -who is it, says the dervise, that lodges here at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> -present? The king told him that it was himself. -And who, says the dervise, will be here after -you? The king answered, the young prince his -son. “Ah, Sir,” said the dervise, “a house that -changes its inhabitants so often, and receives such -a perpetual succession of guests, is not a palace, -but a caravansary.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">OMAR’S PLAN OF LIFE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Omar, the son of Hassan, had passed seventy-five -years in honour and prosperity. The favour -of three successive califs had filled his house -with gold and silver; and whenever he appeared, -the benedictions of the people proclaimed his -passage.</p> - -<p>Terrestrial happiness is of short continuance. -The brightness of the flame is wasting its fuel; -the fragrant flower is passing away in its own -odours. The vigour of Omar began to fail, the -curls of beauty fell from his head, strength departed -from his hands, and agility from his feet.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> -He gave back to the calif the keys of trust, and -the seals of secrecy; and sought no other pleasure -for the remains of life than the converse of -the wise, and the gratitude of the good.</p> - -<p>The powers of his mind were yet unimpaired. -His chamber was filled by visitants, eager to catch -the dictates of experience, and officious to pay -the tribute of admiration. Caled, the son of the -viceroy of Egypt, entered every day early, and -retired late. He was beautiful and eloquent; -Omar admired his wit and loved his docility. -Tell me, said Caled, thou to whose voice nations -have listened, and whose wisdom is known to the -extremities of Asia, tell me how I may resemble -Omar the prudent. The arts by which you have -gained power and preserved it, are to you no -longer necessary or useful; impart to me the secret -of your conduct, and teach me the plan upon -which your wisdom has built your fortune.</p> - -<p>Young man, said Omar, it is of little use to -form plans of life. When I took my first survey -of the world, in my twentieth year, having considered -the various conditions of mankind, in the -hour of solicitude, I said thus to myself, leaning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span> -against a cedar which spread its branches over -my head: Seventy years are allowed to man; I -have yet fifty remaining: ten years I will allot -to the attainment of knowledge, and ten I will -pass in foreign countries; I shall be learned, and -therefore shall be honoured; every city will shout -at my arrival, and every student will solicit my -friendship. Twenty years thus passed will store -my mind with images which I shall be busy -through the rest of my life in combining and -comparing. I shall revel in inexhaustible accumulations -of intellectual riches; I shall find new -pleasures for every moment, and shall never -more be weary of myself. I will, however, not -deviate too far from the beaten track of life, but -will try what can be found in female delicacy. I -will marry a wife beautiful as the Houries, and -wise as Zobeide; with her I will live twenty -years within the suburbs of Bagdat, in every -pleasure that wealth can purchase, and fancy can -invent. I will then retire to a rural dwelling, -pass my last days in obscurity and contemplation, -and lie silently down on the bed of death. -Through my life it shall be my settled resolution,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> -that I will never depend upon the smile of princes; -that I will never stand exposed to the artifices -of courts: I will never pant for public honours, -nor disturb my quiet with affairs of state. -Such was my scheme of life, which I impressed -indelibly upon my memory.</p> - -<p>The first part of my ensuing time was to be -spent in search of knowledge; and I know not -how I was diverted from my design. I had no -visible impediments without, nor any ungovernable -passions within. I regarded knowledge as -the highest honour and the most engaging pleasure; -yet day stole upon day, and month glided -after month, till I found that seven years of the -first ten had vanished, and left nothing behind -them. I now postponed my purpose of travelling; -for why should I go abroad while so much -remained to be learned at home? I immured -myself for four years, and studied the laws of the -empire. The fame of my skill reached the -judges; I was found able to speak upon doubtful -questions, and was commanded to stand at -the footstool of the calif. I was heard with attention,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -I was consulted with confidence, and the -love of praise fastened on my heart.</p> - -<p>I still wished to see distant countries, listened -with rapture to the relations of travellers, and -resolved some time to ask my dismission, that I -might feast my soul with novelty; but my presence -was always necessary, and the stream of -business hurried me along. Sometimes I was -afraid lest I should be charged with ingratitude; -but I still proposed to travel, and therefore would -not confine myself by marriage.</p> - -<p>In my fiftieth year I began to suspect that the -time of travelling was past, and thought it best -to lay hold on the felicity yet in my power, and -indulge myself in domestic pleasures. But at -fifty no man easily finds a woman beautiful as -the Houries, and wise as Zobeide. I inquired -and rejected, consulted and deliberated, till the -sixty-second year made me ashamed of gazing -upon girls. I had now nothing left but retirement, -and for retirement I never found a time, -till disease forced me from public employment.</p> - -<p>Such was my scheme, and such has been its -consequence. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> -I trifled away the years of improvement; -with a restless desire of seeing different countries, -I have always resided in the same city; -with the highest expectation of connubial felicity, -I have lived unmarried; and with unalterable -resolutions of contemplative retirement, -I am going to die within the walls of Bagdat.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE BASKET MAKER.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the midst of that vast ocean, commonly -called the South-Sea, lie the islands of Solomon. -In the centre of these lies one not only distant -from the rest, which are immensely scattered -round it, but also larger beyond proportion. -An ancestor of the prince, who now reigns absolute -in this central island, has, through a long -descent of ages, entailed the name of Solomon’s -Islands on the whole, by the effect of that wisdom -wherewith he polished the manners of his -people.</p> - -<p>A descendant of one of the great men of this -happy island, becoming a gentleman to so improved<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> -a degree as to despise the good qualities -which had originally ennobled his family, -thought of nothing but how to support and distinguish -his dignity by the pride of an ignorant -mind, and a disposition abandoned to pleasure. -He had a house on the sea-side, where he spent -great part of his time in hunting and fishing; -but found himself at a loss in pursuit of those -important diversions, by means of a long slip of -marsh land, overgrown with high reeds, that -lay between his house and the sea. Resolving, -at length, that it became not a man of his quality -to submit to a restraint in his pleasures, for -the ease and convenience of an obstinate mechanic; -and having often endeavoured, in vain, -to buy out the owner, who was an honest poor -basket-maker, and whose livelihood depended on -working up the flags of those reeds, in a manner -peculiar to himself, the gentleman took advantage -of a very high wind, and commanded his -servants to burn down the barrier.</p> - -<p>The basket-maker, who saw himself undone, -complained of the oppression in terms more -suited to his sense of the injury, than the respect<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -due to the rank of the offender; and the reward -this imprudence procured him, was the additional -injustice of blows and reproaches, and all -kinds of insult and indignity.</p> - -<p>There was but one way to a remedy, and he -took it: for going to the capital, with the marks -of his hard usage upon him, he threw himself at -the feet of the king, and procured a citation for -his oppressor’s appearance; who, confessing the -charge, proceeded to justify his behaviour by -the poor man’s unmindfulness of the submission -due from the vulgar to gentlemen of rank and -distinction.</p> - -<p>“But pray,” replied the king, “what distinction -of rank had the grand-father of your -father, when, being a cleaver of wood in the -palace of my ancestors, he was raised from -among those vulgar you speak of with such contempt, -in reward for an instance he gave of his -courage and loyalty in defence of his master? -Yet his distinction was nobler than yours: it -was the distinction of soul, not of birth; the -superiority of worth, not of fortune! I am -sorry I have a gentleman in my kingdom who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span> -is base enough to be ignorant that ease and distinction -of fortune were bestowed on him but to -this end, that, being at rest from all cares of providing -for himself, he might apply his heart, -head, and hand, for the public advantage of -others.”</p> - -<p>Here the king, discontinuing his speech, fixed -an eye of indignation on a sullen resentment of -mien which he observed in the haughty offender, -who muttered out his dislike of the encouragement -this way of thinking must give to the -commonality, who, he said, were to be considered -as persons of no consequence, in comparison -of men who were born to be honoured. -“Where reflection is wanting,” replied the -king, with a smile of disdain, “men must find -their defects in the pain of their sufferings. -Yanhuma,” added he, turning to a captain of -his gallies, “strip the injured and the injurer; -and, conveying them to one of the most barbarous -and remote of the islands, set them -ashore in the night, and leave them both to their -fortune.”</p> - -<p>The place in which they were landed was a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -marsh; under cover of those flags the gentleman -was in hopes of concealing himself, and giving -the slip to his companion, whom he thought it a -disgrace to be found with: but the lights in the -galley having giving an alarm to the savages, a -considerable body of them came down, and discovered -in the morning the two strangers in their -hiding-place. Setting up a dismal yell, they -surrounded them; and advancing nearer and -nearer with a kind of clubs, seemed determined -to dispatch them, without sense of hospitality -or mercy.</p> - -<p>Here the gentleman began to discover that -the superiority of his blood was imaginary; for -between the consciousness of shame and cold, -under the nakedness he had never been used to; -a fear of the event from the fierceness of the -savages approach; and the want of an idea -whereby to soften or divert their asperity, he -fell behind the poor sharer of his calamity, and -with an unsinewed, apprehensive, unmanly -sneakingness of mien, gave up the post of honour, -and made a leader of the very man whom -he had thought it a disgrace to consider as a -companion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span></p> - -<p>The basket-maker on the contrary, to whom -the poverty of his condition had made nakedness -habitual, to whom a life of pain and mortification -represented death as not dreadful, and -whose remembrance of his skill in arts, of which -these savages were ignorant, gave him hopes of -becoming safe, from demonstrating that he could -be useful, moved with bolder and more open -freedom; and having plucked a handful of the -flags, sat down without emotion, and making -signs that he would shew them something worthy -of their attention, fell to work with smiles -and noddings; while the savages drew near, and -gazed with expectation of the consequence.</p> - -<p>It was not long before he had wreathed a -kind of coronet of pretty workmanship; and -rising with respect and fearfulness, approached -the savage who appeared the chief, and placed -it gently on his head; whose figure, under this -new ornament, so charmed and struck his followers, -that they all threw down their clubs, and -formed a dance of welcome and congratulation -round the author of so prized a favour.</p> - -<p>There was not one but shewed the marks of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> -his impatience to be as fine as the captain: so -the poor basket-maker had his hands full of employment: -and the savages, observing one quite -idle, while the other was so busy in their service, -took up arms in behalf of natural justice, -and began to lay on arguments in favour of their -purpose.</p> - -<p>The basket-maker’s pity now effaced the remembrance -of his sufferings; so he arose and -rescued his oppressor, by making signs that he was -ignorant of the art; but might, if they thought -fit, be usefully employed in waiting on the -work, and fetching flags to his supply, as fast -as he should want them.</p> - -<p>This proposition luckily fell in with a desire -the savages expressed to keep themselves at leisure, -that they might crowd round, and mark -the progress of a work they took such pleasure -in. They left the gentleman therefore to his -duty in the basket-maker’s service; and considered -him, from that time forward, as one who -was, and ought to be treated as inferior to their -benefactor.</p> - -<p>Men, women, and children, from all corners<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -of the island, came in droves for coronets; and, -setting the gentleman to work to gather boughs -and poles, made a fine hut to lodge the basket-maker; -and brought down daily from the country -such provisions as they lived upon themselves, -taking care to offer the imagined servant -nothing till his master had done eating.</p> - -<p>Three months reflection, in this mortified -condition, gave a new and just turn to our gentleman’s -improved ideas; insomuch that, lying -weeping and awake one night, he thus confessed -his sentiments in favour of the basket-maker. -“I have been to blame, and wanted judgment to -distinguish between accident and excellence. -When I should have measured nature, I but -looked to vanity. The preference which fortune -gives, is empty and imaginary; and I perceive, -too late, that only things of use are naturally -honourable. I am ashamed, when I compare -my malice, to remember your humanity; -but if the gods should please to call me to a repossession -of my rank and happiness, I would -divide all with you, in atonement for my justly -punished arrogance.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span></p> - -<p>He promised, and performed his promise: -for the king, soon after, sent the captain who -had landed them with presents to the savages, -and ordered him to bring both back again. -And it continues to this day a custom in that -island, to degrade all gentlemen who cannot -give a better reason for their pride, than they -were born to do nothing: and the word for -this due punishment is, send him to the basket-maker.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALMET.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Almet, the dervise, who watched the sacred -lamp in the sepulchre of the Prophet, as he one -day rose up from the devotions of the morning, -which he had performed at the gate of the temple, -with his body turned towards the east, and -his forehead on the earth, saw before him a man -in splendid apparel, attended by a long retinue, -who gazed stedfastly at him, with a look of -mournful complacence, and seemed desirous to -speak, but unwilling to offend.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span></p> - -<p>The Dervise, after a short silence, advanced, -and saluting him with the calm dignity which -independence confers upon humility, requested -that he would reveal his purpose.</p> - -<p>“Almet,” said the stranger, “thou seest before -thee a man whom the hand of prosperity -has overwhelmed with wretchedness. Whatever -I once desired as the means of happiness, I now -possess; but I am not yet happy, and therefore -I despair. I regret the lapse of time, because it -glides away without enjoyment; and as I expect -nothing in the future but the vanities of the past, -I do not wish that the future should arrive. -Yet I tremble lest it should be cut off; and my -heart sinks when I anticipate the moment in -which eternity shall close over the vacuity of my -life, like the sea upon the path of a ship, and -leave no traces of my existence more durable -than the furrow which remains after the waves -have united. If in the treasures of thy wisdom -there is any precept to obtain felicity, vouchsafe -it to me: for this purpose am I come; a purpose -which yet I feared to reveal, lest, like all -the former, it should be disappointed.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span></p> - -<p>Almet listened, with looks of astonishment -and pity, to this complaint of a being, in whom -reason was known to be a pledge of immortality; -but the serenity of his countenance soon returned; -and stretching out his hand towards -heaven, “Stranger,” said he, “the knowledge -which I have received from the Prophet, I will -communicate to thee.</p> - -<p>“As I was sitting one evening at the porch -of the temple, pensive and alone, mine eye wandered -among the multitude that was scattered -before me; and while I remarked the weariness -and solicitude which was visible in every countenance, -I was suddenly struck with a sense of -their condition. ‘Wretched mortals,’ said I, -‘to what purpose are you busy? Do the linens -of Egypt, and the silks of Persia, bestow felicity -on those who wear them, equal to the wretchedness -of yonder slaves, whom I see leading the -camels that bring them? Is the fineness of the -texture, or the splendour of the tints, regarded -with delight by those to whom custom has rendered -them familiar? or can the power of habit -render others insensible of pain, who live only<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -to traverse the desart; a scene of dreadful uniformity, -where a barren level is bounded only -by the horizon; where no change of prospect, -or variety of images, relieves the traveller from a -sense of toil and danger, of whirlwinds which -in a moment may bury him in the sand, and of -thirst, which the wealthy have given half their -possessions to allay? Do those on whom hereditary -diamonds sparkle with unregarded lustre, -gain from the possession what is lost by the -wretch who seeks them in the mine; who lives -excluded from the common bounties of nature; -to whom even the vicissitude of day and night -is not known; who sighs in perpetual darkness, -and whose life is one alternative of insensibility -and labour? If those are not happy who possess, -in proportion as those are wretched who -bestow, how vain a dream is the life of man! -and if there is, indeed, such difference in the -value of existence, how shall we acquit of partiality -the hand by which this difference has -been made?”</p> - -<p>While my thoughts thus multiplied, and my -heart burned within me, I became sensible of a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> -sudden influence from above. The streets and -the crowds of Mecca disappeared; I found myself -sitting on the declivity of a mountain, and -perceived at my right hand an angel, whom I -knew to be Azoran, the minister of reproof. -When I saw him I was afraid. I cast mine eye -upon the ground, and was about to deprecate -his anger, when he commanded me to be silent. -“Almet,” said he, “thou has devoted thy life -to meditation, that thy counsel might deliver -ignorance from the mazes of error, and deter -presumption from the precipice of guilt; but -the book of nature thou hast read without understanding: -it is again open before thee: -look up, consider it, and be wise.”</p> - -<p>I looked up, and beheld an inclosure, beautiful -as the gardens of Paradise, but of a small -extent. Through the middle there was a green -walk; at the end a wild desart; and beyond, -impenetrable darkness. The walk was shaded -with trees of every kind, that were covered at -once with blossoms and fruit; innumerable -birds were singing in the branches; the grass -was intermingled with flowers, which impregnated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> -the breeze with fragrance, and painted -the path with beauty; on one side flowed a -gentle, transparent stream, which was just heard -to murmur over the golden sands that sparkled -at the bottom; and on the other were walks and -bowers, fountains, grottoes, and cascades, which -diversified the scene with endless variety, but -did not conceal the bounds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALMET,<br /> -<span class="smaller">CONCLUDED.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>While I was gazing in a transport of delight -and wonder on this enchanting spot, I perceived -a man stealing along the walk with a thoughtful -and deliberate pace; his eyes were fixed upon -the earth, and his arms crossed on his bosom; he -sometimes started, as if a sudden pang had -seized him; his countenance expressed solicitude -and terror; he looked round with a sigh, and -having gazed a moment on the desart that lay -before him, he seemed as if he wished to stop,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> -but was impelled forwards by some invisible -power; his features however soon settled again -in a calm melancholy; his eye was again fixed -on the ground; and he went on as before, with -apparent reluctance, but without emotion. I -was struck with his appearance; and turning -hastily to the angel, was about to enquire what -could produce such infelicity in a being surrounded -with every object that could gratify -every sense; but he prevented my request: -“The book of nature,” said he, “is before thee; -look up, consider it, and be wise.” I looked, -and beheld a valley between two mountains that -were craggy and barren; on the path there was -no verdure, and the mountains afforded no -shade; the sun burned in the zenith, and every -spring was dried up; but the valley terminated -in a country that was pleasant and fertile, shaded -with woods, and adorned with buildings. At a -second view, I discovered a man in this valley, -meagre indeed and naked, but his countenance -was cheerful, and his deportment active; he -kept his eye fixed upon the country before him, -and looked as if he would have run, but that he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> -was restrained, as the other had been impelled, -by some secret influence: sometimes, indeed, I -perceived a sudden impression of pain, and -sometimes he stepped short, as if his foot was -pierced by the asperities of the way; but the -sprightliness of his countenance instantly returned, -and he pressed forward without appearance -of repining or complaint.</p> - -<p>I turned again towards the angel, impatient -to enquire from what secret source happiness -was derived, in a situation so different from that -in which it might have been expected: but he -again prevented my requested: “Almet,” said -he, “remember what thou hast seen, and let -this memorial be written upon the tablets of thy -heart. Remember, Almet, that the world in -which thou art placed, is but the road to another; -and that happiness depends not upon the -path, but the end; the value of this period of -thy existence is fixed by hope and fear. The -wretch who wished to linger in the garden, -who looked round upon its limits with terror, -was destitute of hope, and was perpetually tormented -by the dread of losing that which yet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -he did not enjoy; the song of the birds had been -repeated till it was not heard, and the flowers -had so often recurred, that their beauty was not -seen; the river glided by unnoticed; and he -feared to lift his eye to the prospect, lest he -should behold the waste that circumscribed it. -But he that toiled through the valley was happy, -because he looked forward with hope. Thus to -the sojourner upon earth it is of little moment -whether the path he treads be strewed with -flowers or with thorns, if he perceives himself to -approach these regions, in comparison of which -the thorns and the flowers of this wilderness -lose their distinction, and are both alike impotent -to give pleasure or pain.</p> - -<p>“What then has Eternal Wisdom unequally -distributed? That which can make every station -happy, and without which every station must be -wretched, is acquired by virtue, and virtue is -possible to all. Remember, Almet, the vision -which thou hast seen; and let my words -be written on the tablet of thy heart, that thou -mayest direct the wanderer to happiness, and -justify God to men.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span></p> - -<p>While the voice of Azoran was yet sounding -in my ear, the prospect vanished from before -me, and I found myself again sitting at the -porch of the temple. The sun was gone down, -the multitude was retired to rest, and the solemn -quiet of midnight concurred with the resolution -of my doubts to complete the tranquillity -of my mind.</p> - -<p>Such, my son, was the vision which the Prophet -vouchsafed me, not for my sake only, but -for thine. Thou hast sought felicity in temporal -things; and, therefore, thou art disappointed. -Let not instruction be lost upon thee, -as the seal of Mahomet in the well of Aris: -but go thy way, let thy flock clothe the naked, -and thy table feed the hungry; deliver the poor -from oppression, and let thy conversation be -Above. Thus shalt thou “rejoice in Hope,” -and look forward to the end of life as the consummation -of thy felicity.</p> - -<p>Almet, in whose breast devotion kindled as -he spake, returned into the temple, and the -stranger departed in peace.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF GELALEDDIN OF BASSORA.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the time when Bassora was considered as -the school of Asia, and flourished by the reputation -of its professors, and the confluence of -its students, among the students that listened -round the chair of Albumazar was Gelaleddin, -a native of Taurus, in Persia, a young man, -amiable in his manners, and beautiful in his -form, of boundless curiosity, incessant diligence, -and irresistible genius, of quick apprehension -and tenacious memory, accurate without narrowness, -and eager for novelty without inconstancy.</p> - -<p>No sooner did Gelaleddin appear at Bassora, -than his virtues and abilities raised him to distinction. -He passed from class to class rather -admired than envied by those whom the rapidity -of his progress left behind; he was consulted -by his fellow-students as an oraculous -guide, and admitted as a competent auditor to -the conference of the sages.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span></p> - -<p>After a few years, having passed through all -the exercises of probation, Gelaleddin was invited -to a professor’s seat, and intreated to increase -the splendour of Bassora. Gelaleddin -affected to deliberate on the proposal, with which, -before he considered it, he resolved to comply; -and next morning retired to a garden planted -for the recreation of the students, and entering -a solitary walk, began to meditate upon his -future life.</p> - -<p>“If I am thus eminent,” said he, “in the -regions of literature, I shall be yet more conspicuous -in any other place: If I should now devote -myself to study and retirement, I must pass -my life in silence, unacquainted with the delights -of wealth, the influence of power, the -pomp of greatness, and the charms of elegance, -with all that man envies and desires, with all that -keeps the world in motion, by the hope of gaining -or the fear of losing it. I will, therefore, -depart to Tauris, where the Persian monarch -resides in all the splendour of absolute dominion: -my reputation will fly before me, my arrival -will be congratulated by my kinsmen and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -friends; I shall see the eyes of those who predicted -my greatness sparkling with exultation, -and the faces of those that once despised me -clouded with envy, or counterfeiting kindness -by artificial smiles. I will show my wisdom by -my discourse, and my moderation by my silence; -I will instruct the modest with easy gentleness, -and repress the ostentatious by seasonable superciliousness. -My apartments will be crowded by -the inquisite and the vain, by those that honour -and those that rival me; my name will soon -reach the court; I shall stand before the throne -of the emperor; the judges of the law will confess -my wisdom, and the nobles will contend to -heap gifts upon me. If I shall find that my -merit, like that of others, excites malignity, or -feel myself tottering on the seat of elevation, I -may at last retire to academical obscurity, and -become, in my lowest state, a professor of -Bassora.”</p> - -<p>Having thus settled his determination, he -declared to his friends his design of visiting -Tauris, and saw with more pleasure than he -ventured to express, the regret with which he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -was dismissed. He could not bear to delay the -honours to which he was destined, and therefore -hastened away, and in a short time entered -the capital of Persia. He was immediately immersed -in the crowd, and passed unobserved to -his father’s house. He entered, and was received, -though not unkindly, yet without any -excess of fondness, or exclamations of rapture. -His father had, in his absence, suffered many -losses, and Gelaleddin was considered as an -additional burthen to a fallen family.</p> - -<p>When he recovered from his surprise, he began -to display his acquisitions, and practised -all the arts of narration and disquisition; but -the poor have no leisure to be pleased with -eloquence; they heard his arguments without -reflection, and his pleasantries without a smile. -He then applied himself singly to his brothers -and sisters, but found them all chained down -by invariable attention to their own fortunes, -and insensible of any other excellence than that -which could bring some remedy for indigence.</p> - -<p>It was now known in the neighbourhood that -Gelaleddin was returned, and he sat for some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span> -days in expectation that the learned would visit -him for consultation, or the great for entertainment. -But who would be pleased or instructed -in the mansions of poverty? He then frequented -places of public resort, and endeavoured -to attract notice by the copiousness of his talk. -The sprightly were silenced, and went away to -censure in some other place his arrogance and -his pedantry; and the dull listened quietly for a -while, and then wondered why any man should -take pains to obtain so much knowledge which -would never do him good.</p> - -<p>He next solicited the viziers for employment, -not doubting but his service would be eagerly -accepted. He was told by one, that there was -no vacancy in his office; by another, that his -merit was above any patronage but that of the -emperor; by a third, that he would not forget -him; and by the chief vizier, that he did not -think, literature of any great use in public business. -He was sometimes admitted to their -tables, where he exerted his wit and diffused his -knowledge; but he observed, that where, by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span> -endeavour or accident, he had remarkably excelled, -he was seldom invited a second time.</p> - -<p>He now returned to Bassora, wearied and disgusted, -but confident of resuming his former -rank, and revelling again in satiety of praise. -But he who had been neglected at Tauris, was -not much regarded at Bassora; he was considered -as a fugitive, who returned only because -he could live in no other place; his companions -found that they had formerly over-rated his -abilities, and he lived long without notice or -esteem.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">STORY OF ORTOGRUL OF BASRA.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>As Ortogrul of Basra was one day wandering -along the streets of Bagdat, musing on the varieties -of merchandize which the shops offered to -his view, and observing the different occupations -which busied the multitudes on every side, he -was awakened from the tranquility of meditation -by a crowd that obstructed his passage. He -raised his eyes, and saw the chief vizier, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> -having returned from the divan, was entering -his palace.</p> - -<p>Ortogrul mingled with the attendants, and -being supposed to have some petition for the -vizier, was permitted to enter. He surveyed -the spaciousness of the apartments, admired the -walks hung with golden tapestry, and the floors -covered with silken carpets, and despised the -simple neatness of his own little habitation.</p> - -<p>Surely, said he to himself, this palace is that -seat of happiness where pleasure succeeds to -pleasure, and discontent and sorrow can have no -admission. Whatever nature has provided for -the delight of sense, is here spread forth to be -enjoyed. What can mortals hope or imagine -which the master of this palace has not obtained. -The dishes of luxury cover his table, -the voice of harmony lulls him in his bowers; -he breathes the fragrance of the groves of Java, -and sleeps upon the down of the cygnets of -the Ganges. He speaks, and his mandate is -obeyed; he wishes, and his wish is gratified; all -whom he sees obey him; and all whom he hears -flatter him. How different, Ortogrul, is thy<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span> -condition, who art doomed to the perpetual torments -of unsatisfied desire, and who hast no -amusement in thy power that can withhold -thee from thy own reflections! They tell -thee that thou art wise, but what does wisdom -avail with poverty? None will flatter the poor, -and the wise have very little power of flattering -themselves. That man is surely the most -wretched of the sons of wretchedness who lives -with his own faults and follies always before -him, and who has none to reconcile him to himself -by praise and veneration. I have long -sought content, and have not found it; I will -from this moment endeavour to be rich.</p> - -<p>Full of his new resolution, he shut himself in -his chamber for six months, to deliberate how -he should grow rich; he sometimes proposed to -offer himself as a counsellor to one of the kings -of India, and sometimes resolved to dig for -diamonds in the mines of Golconda. One day, -after some hours passed in violent fluctuation of -opinion, sleep insensibly seized him in his chair; -he dreamed that he was ranging a desart country, -in search of some one that might teach him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -to grow rich! and as he stood on the top of a -hill shaded with cypress, in doubt whither to -direct his steps, his father appeared on a sudden -standing before him. “Ortogrul,” said the old -man, “I know thy perplexity; listen to thy -father, turn thine eye on the opposite mountain.” -Ortogrul looked, and saw a torrent -tumbling down the rocks, roaring with the noise -of thunder, and scattering its foam on the impending -woods. “Now,” said his father, -“behold the valley that lies between the -hills.” Ortogrul looked, and espied a little well, -out of which issued a small rivulet. “Tell me -now,” said his father, “dost thou wish for sudden -affluence, that may pour upon thee like the -mountain torrent, or for a slow and gradual increase, -resembling the rill gliding from the -well?” “Let me be quickly rich,” said Ortogrul; -“let the golden stream be quick and violent.” -“Look round thee,” said his father, -“once again.” Ortogrul looked, and perceived -the channel of the torrent dry and dusty; but -following the rivulet from the well, he traced it -to a wide lake, which the supply, slow and constant,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -kept always full. He waked, and determined -to grow rich by silent profit, and persevering -industry.</p> - -<p>Having sold his patrimony, he engaged in -merchandize, and in twenty years purchased -lands, on which he raised a house, equal in -sumptuousness to that of the vizier, to which he -invited all the ministers of pleasure, expecting -to enjoy all the felicity which he imagined riches -able to afford. Leisure soon made him weary -of himself, and he longed to be persuaded that -he was great and happy. He was courteous -and liberal; he gave all that approached him -hopes of pleasing him, and all who should please -him hopes of being rewarded. Every art of -praise was tried, and every source of adulatory -fiction was exhausted. Ortogrul heard his flatters -without delight, because he found himself -unable to believe them. His own heart told -him its frailties, his own understanding reproached -him with his faults. “How long,” -said he, with a deep sigh, “have I been labouring -in vain to amass wealth, which at last is useless.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span> -Let no man hereafter wish to be rich, -who is already too wise to be flattered.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALNASCHAR.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>It is a precept oftentimes inculcated, that -we should not entertain an hope of any thing -in life which lies at a great distance from us. -The shortness and uncertainty of our time -here, makes such a kind of hope unreasonable -and absurd. The grave lies unseen between -us and the object which we reach after: where -one man lives to enjoy the good he has in -view, ten thousand are cut off in the pursuit -of it.</p> - -<p>Men of warm imaginations and towering -thoughts are apt to overlook the goods of fortune -which are near them, for something that -glitters in the sight at a distance; to neglect -solid and substantial happiness, for what is -showy and superficial; and to contemn that -good that lies within their reach, for that -which they are not capable of attaining. Hope<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> -calculates its schemes for a long and durable -life; presses forward to imaginary points of -bliss; and grasps at impossibilities; and consequently -very often insnares men into beggary, -ruin, and dishonour.</p> - -<p>What I have here said, may serve as a -moral to an Arabian fable, which I find translated -into French by Monsieur Galland. The -fable has in it such a wild, but natural symplicity, -that I question not but my reader will be -as much pleased with it as I have been, and -that he will consider himself, if he reflects on -the several amusements of hope which have -sometimes passed in his mind, as a near relation -to the Persian Glass-man.</p> - -<p>Alnaschar, says the fable, was a very idle -fellow, that never would set his hand to any -business during his father’s life. When his -father died, he left him to the value of an -hundred drachmas in Persian money. Alnaschar, -in order to make the best of it, laid it -out in glasses, bottles, and the finest earthenware. -These he piled up in a large open -basket, and having made choice of a very little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> -shop, placed the basket at his feet, and leaned -his back upon the wall, in expectation of customers. -As he sat in this posture, with his -eyes upon the basket, he fell into a most amusing -train of thought, and was overheard by -one of his neighbours, as he talked to himself -in the following manner:</p> - -<p>“This basket,” says he, “cost me, at the -wholesale merchant’s, an hundred drachmas, -which is all I have in the world. I shall -quickly make two hundred of it, by selling it -in retail. These two hundred drachmas will -in a very little while rise to four hundred, -which of course will amount in time to four -thousand. Four thousand drachmas cannot -fail of making eight thousand. As soon as by -this means I am master of ten thousand, I will -lay aside my trade of a glass-man, and turn -jeweller. I shall then deal in diamonds, -pearls, and all sorts of rich stones. When I -have got together as much wealth as I can -well desire, I will make a purchase of the -finest house I can find, with lands, slaves, -eunuchs, and horses. I shall then begin to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> -enjoy myself, and make a noise in the world. -I will not, however, stop there, but still continue -my traffic, until I have got together an -hundred thousand drachmas. When I have -thus made myself master of an hundred thousand -drachmas, I shall naturally set myself on -the footing of a prince, and will demand the -grand vizier’s daughter in marriage, after having -represented to that minister the information -which I have received of the beauty, wit, discretion, -and other high qualities which his -daughter possesses. I will let him know at -the same time, that it is my intention to make -him a present of a thousand pieces of gold, on -our marriage night. As soon as I have married -the grand vizier’s daughter, I will buy her -twelve black eunuchs, the youngest and best -that can be bought for money. I must afterwards -make my father-in-law a visit, with a -great train of equipage. And when I am -placed at his right hand, which he will do of -course, if it be only to honour his daughter, I -will give him the thousand pieces of gold -which I promised him, and afterwards, to his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> -great surprise, will present him with another -purse of the same value, with some short -speech, as, ‘Sir, you see I am a man of my -word; I always give more than I promise.’</p> - -<p>“When I have brought the princess to my -house, I shall take a particular care to breed -her in a due respect to me, before I give the -reins to love and dalliance. To this end I -shall confine her to her own apartment, make -her a short visit, and talk but little to her. -Her women will represent to me that she is -inconsolable by reason of my unkindness, and -beg me, with tears, to caress her, and let her -sit down by me; but I shall still remain inexorable, -and will turn my back upon her all the -first night. Her mother will then come and -bring her daughter to me, as I am seated upon -my sofa. The daughter, with tears in her -eyes, will fling herself at my feet, and beg of -me to receive her into my favour. Then will -I, to imprint in her a thorough veneration for -my person, draw up my legs and spurn her -from me with my foot, in such a manner that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span> -she shall fall down several paces from the -sofa.”</p> - -<p>Alnaschar was entirely swallowed up in this -chimerical vision, and could not forbear acting -with his foot what he had in his thoughts; so -that unluckily striking his basket of brittle -ware, which was the foundation of all his -grandeur, he kicked his glasses to a great distance -from him into the street, and broke them -into ten thousand pieces.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF CARAZAN.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Carazan, the merchant of Bagdat, was -eminent throughout all the East for his avarice -and his wealth: his origin was obscure, as that -of the spark, which by the collision of steel and -adamant, is struck out of darkness; and the patient -labour of persevering diligence alone had -made him rich. It was remembered, that when -he was indigent, he was thought to be generous; -and he was still acknowledged to be inexorably<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -just. But whether in his dealings with men he -discovered a perfidy which tempted him to put -his trust in gold, or whether in proportion as he -accumulated wealth he discovered his own importance -to increase, Carazan prized it more as -he used it less; he gradually lost the inclination -to do good, as he acquired the power; and as -the hand of time scattered snow upon his head, -the freezing influence extended to his bosom.</p> - -<p>But though the door of Carazan was never -opened by hospitality, nor his hand by compassion, -yet fear led him constantly to the mosque -at the stated hours of prayer; he performed all -the rites of devotion with the most scrupulous -punctuality, and had thrice paid his vows at the -temple of the Prophet. That devotion which -arises from the love of God, and necessarily includes -the love of man, as it connects gratitude -with beneficence, and exalts that which was moral -to divine, confers new dignity upon goodness, -and is the object not only of affection but of reverence. -On the contrary, the devotion of the -selfish, whether it be thought to avert the punishment -which every one wishes to be inflicted,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> -or to insure it by the complication of hypocrisy -with guilt, never fails to excite indignation and -abhorrence. Carazan, therefore, when he had -locked his door, and turning round with a look -of circumspective suspicion proceeded to the -mosque, was followed by every eye with silent -malignity: the poor suspended their supplication -when he passed by; and though he was known -by every man, no one saluted him.</p> - -<p>Such had long been the life of Carazan, and -such was the character which he had acquired, -when notice was given by proclamation, that he -was removed to a magnificent building in the -centre of the city, that his table should be spread -for the public, and that the stranger should be -welcome to his bed, the multitude soon rushed -like a torrent to his door, where they beheld him -distributing bread to the hungry, and apparel to -the naked, his eye softened with compassion, and -his cheek glowing with delight. Every one -gazed with astonishment at the prodigy; and -the murmur of innumerable voices increasing like -the sound of approaching thunder, Carazan -beckoned with his hand; attention suspended<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> -the tumult in a moment, and he thus gratified -the curiosity which had procured him audience.</p> - -<p>To him who touches the mountains and they -smoke, the Almighty and the Most Merciful, be -everlasting honour! he has ordained sleep to be -the minister of instruction, and his visions have -reproved me in the night. As I was sitting alone -in my Haram, with my lamp burning before me, -computing the product of my merchandize, and -exulting in the increase of my wealth, I fell into -a deep sleep, and the hand of him who dwells -in the third heaven was upon me. I beheld the -angel of death coming forward like a whirlwind, -and he smote me before I could deprecate the -blow. At the same moment I felt myself lifted -from the ground, and transported with astonishing -rapidity through the regions of the air.—The -earth was contracted to an atom beneath; -and the stars glowed round me with a lustre that -obscured the sun. The gate of Paradise was -new in sight; and I was intercepted by a sudden -brightness which no human eye could behold: -the irrevocable sentence was now to be -pronounced; my day of probation was past: and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> -from the evil of my life nothing could be taken -away, nor could any thing be added to the good. -When I reflected that my lot for eternity was -cast, which not all the powers of nature could -reverse, my confidence totally forsook me; and -while I stood trembling and silent, covered with -confusion, and chilled with horror, I was thus -addressed by the radiance that flamed before -me:—</p> - -<p>“Carazan, thy worship has not been accepted, -because it was not prompted by love of God: -neither can thy righteousness be rewarded, because -it was not produced by love of man: for -thy own sake only hast thou rendered to every -man his due; and thou hast approached the Almighty -only for thyself. Thou hast not looked -up with gratitude, nor around thee with kindness. -Around thee, thou hast indeed beheld -vice and folly; but if vice and folly could justify -thy parsimony, would they not condemn the -bounty of heaven? If not upon the foolish and -the vicious, where shall the sun diffuse his light, -or the clouds distil the dew? Where shall the -lips of the spring breathe fragrance, or the hand<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> -of autumn diffuse plenty? Remember, Carazan, -that thou hast shut compassion from thine heart, -and grasped thy treasures with a hand of iron: -thou hast lived for thyself; and, therefore, henceforth -for ever thou shalt subsist alone. From -the light of heaven, and from the society of all -beings shalt thou be driven; solitude shall protract -the lingering hours of eternity, and darkness -aggravate the horrors of despair.” At this -moment I was driven by some secret and irresistible -power through the glowing system of -creation, and passed innumerable worlds in a -moment. As I approached the verge of nature, I -perceived the shadows of total and boundless -vacuity deepen before me, a dreadful region of -eternal silence, solitude, and darkness! Unutterable -horror seized me at the prospect, and this -exclamation burst from me with all the vehemence -of desire: “O! that I had been doomed for ever -to the common receptacle of impenitence and -guilt! there society would have alleviated the -torment of despair, and the rage of fire could not -have excluded the comfort of light. Or, if I had -been condemned to reside in a comet, that would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -return but once in a thousand years to their regions -of light and life; the hope of these periods, -however distant, would cheer men in the dread -interval of cold and darkness, and the vicissitude -would divide eternity into time.” While this -thought passed over my mind, I lost sight of the -remotest star, and the last glimmering of light was -quenched in utter darkness. The agonies of despair -every moment increased, as every moment augmented -my distance from the last habitable world. -I reflected with intolerable anguish, that when ten -thousand thousand years had carried me beyond -the reach of all but that power who fills infinitude, -I should still look forward into an immense abyss -of darkness, through which I should still drive -without succour and without society, farther and -farther still, for ever and for ever. I then stretched -out my hand towards the regions of existence, -with an emotion that awaked me. Thus have I -been taught to estimate society, like every other -blessing, by its loss. My heart is warmed to liberality; -and I am zealous to communicate the -happiness which I feel, to those from whom it is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> -derived; for the society of one wretch, whom in -the pride of prosperity I would have spurned -from my door, would, in the dreadful solitude to -which I was condemned, have been more highly -prized than the gold of Afric, or the gems of -Golconda.</p> - -<p>At this reflection upon his dream, Carazan became -suddenly silent, and looked upward in ecstacy -of gratitude and devotion. The multitude -were struck at once with the precept and example; -and the Caliph, to whom the event was related, -that he might be liberal beyond the power -of gold, commanded it to be recorded for the benefit -of posterity.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALMAMOULIN.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the reign of Jenghiz Khan, conqueror of -the East, in the city of Samarcand, lived Nouradin -the merchant, renowned throughout all the -regions of India for the extent of his commerce, -and the integrity of his dealings. His warehouses<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> -were filled with all the commodities of the -remotest nations; every rarity of nature, every -curiosity of art, whatever was useful, hastened -to his hand. The streets were crowded with his -carriages; the sea was covered with his ships; -the streams of Oxus were wearied with conveyance, -and every breeze of the sky wafted wealth -to Nouradin.</p> - -<p>At length Nouradin felt himself seized with a -slow malady; he called to him Almamoulin, his -only son; and, dismissing his attendants, “My -son,” says he, “behold here the weakness and -fragility of man; look backward a few days, thy -father was great and happy. Now, Almamoulin, -look upon me withering and prostrate; look -upon me, and attend. My purpose was, after ten -months more spent in commerce, to have withdrawn -my wealth to a safer country; to have -given seven years to delight and festivity, and -the remaining part of my days to solitude and repentence; -but the hand of death is upon me; I -am now leaving the produce of my toil, which it -must be thy business to enjoy with wisdom.”—The -thought of leaving his wealth, filled Nouradin<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> -with such grief, that he fell into convulsions, -became delirious, and expired.</p> - -<p>Almamoulin, who loved his father, was touched -a while with honest sorrow, and sat two hours -in profound meditation, without perusing the paper -which he held in his hand. He then retired -to his own chamber, as overborn with affliction, -and there read the inventory of his new possessions, -which swelled his heart with such transports, -that he no longer lamented his father’s -death.</p> - -<p>He was now sufficiently composed to order a -funeral of modest magnificence, suitable at once -to the rank of Nouradin’s profession, and the reputation -of his wealth. The two next nights he -spent in visiting the tower and the caverns, and -found the treasures greater to his eye than to his -imagination.</p> - -<p>Almamoulin had been bred to the practice of -exact frugality, and had often looked with envy -on the finery and expences of other young men: -he therefore believed, that happiness was now in -his power, since he could obtain all of which he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -had hitherto been accustomed to regret the -want.</p> - -<p>He immediately procured a splendid equipage, -dressed his servants in rich embroidery, and covered -his horses with golden caparisons. He -showered down silver on the populace, and suffered -their acclamations to swell him with insolence. -The nobles saw him with anger, the wise -men of the state combined against him, the leaders -of armies threatened his destruction. Almamoulin -was informed of his danger: he put on -the robe of mourning in the presence of his enemies, -and appeased them with gold, and gems, -and supplication.</p> - -<p>He then sought to strengthen himself, by an -alliance with the princes of Tartary, and offered -the price of kingdoms for a wife of noble birth. -His suit was generally rejected, and his presents -refused; but a princess of Astracan once condescended -to admit him to her presence. She received -him sitting on a throne, attired in the robe -of royalty, and shining with the jewels of Golconda; -command sparkled in her eyes, and dignity -towered on her forehead. Almamoulin approached<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -and trembled. She saw his confusion, -and disdained him: How, says she, dares the -wretch hope my obedience, who thus shrinks at -my glance? Retire, and enjoy thy riches in sordid -ostentation; thou wast born to be wealthy, -but never canst be great.</p> - -<p>He then contracted his desires to more private -and domestic pleasures. He built palaces, he -laid out gardens, he changed the face of the -land, he transplanted forests, he levelled mountains, -opened prospects into distant regions, poured -fountains from the tops of turrets, and rolled -rivers through new channels.</p> - -<p>These amusements pleased him for a time; but -languor and weariness soon invaded him.</p> - -<p>He therefore returned to Samarcand, and set -open his doors to those whom idleness sends out -in search of pleasure. His tables were always -covered with delicacies; wines of every vintage -sparkled in his bowels, and his lamps scattered -perfumes. The sound of the flute, and the voice -of the singer, chased away sadness; every hour -was crowded with pleasure; and the day ended -and began with feasts and dances, and revelry<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> -and merriment. Almamoulin cried out, “I have -at last found the use of riches: I am surrounded -by companions, who view my greatness without -envy; and I enjoy at once the raptures of popularity, -and the safety of an obscure station.—What -trouble can he feel, whom all are studious -to please, that they may be repaid with pleasure? -What danger can he dread, to whom every man -is a friend?”</p> - -<p>Such were the thoughts of Almamoulin, as he -looked down from a gallery upon the gay assembly, -regaling at his expence; but in the midst of -this soliloquy, an officer of justice entered the -house, and in the form of legal citation, summoned -Almamoulin to appear before the emperor. The -guests stood awhile aghast, then stole imperceptibly -away, and he was led off without a single -voice to witness his integrity. He now found -one of his most frequent visitors accusing him of -treason, in hopes of sharing his confiscation; -yet, unpatronized, and unsupported, he cleared -himself by the openness of innocence, and the -consistence of truth; he was dismissed with honour, -and his accuser perished in prison.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span></p> - -<p>Almamoulin now perceived with how little -reason he had hoped for justice or fidelity from -those who live only to gratify their senses; and -being now weary with vain experiments upon -life, and fruitless researches after felicity, he had -recourse to a sage, who, after spending his youth -in travel and observation, had retired from all -human cares, to a small habitation, on the banks -of Oxus, where he conversed only with such as -solicited his counsel. “Brother,” said the philosopher, -“thou hast suffered thy reason to be -deluded by idle hopes, and fallacious appearances. -Having long looked with desire upon -riches, thou hast taught thyself to think them -more valuable than nature designed them, and -to expect from them what, as experience has now -taught thee, they cannot give. That they do -not confer wisdom, thou mayest be convinced -by considering at how dear a price they tempted -thee, upon thy first entrance into the world, to -purchase the empty sound of vulgar acclamation. -That they cannot bestow fortitude or magnanimity, -that man may be certain, who stood trembling -at Astracan before a being not naturally<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -superior to himself. That they will not supply -unexhausted pleasure, the recollection of forsaken -palaces, and neglected gardens, will easily inform -thee. That they rarely purchase friends, thou -didst soon discover, when thou wert left to stand -thy trial uncountenanced and alone. Yet think not -riches useless; there are purposes to which a wise -man may be delighted to apply them: they may, -by a rational distribution to those who want -them, ease the pains of helpless disease, still the -throbs of restless anxiety, relieve innocence from -oppression, and raise imbecility to chearfulness -and vigour. This they will enable thee to perform, -and this will afford the only happiness ordained -for our present state, the confidence of divine -favour, and the hope of future reward.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF BOZALDAB.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Bozaldab, Calif of Egypt, had dwelt securely -for many years in the silken pavilions of pleasure, -and had every morning anointed his head with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> -the oil of gladness, when his only son Aboram, -for whom he had crowded his treasuries with -gold, extended his dominions with conquests, -and secured them with impregnable fortresses, -was suddenly wounded, as he was hunting, with -an arrow from an unknown hand, and expired in -the field.</p> - -<p>Bozaldab, in the distraction of grief and despair, -refused to return to his palace, and retired -to the gloomiest grotto in the neighbouring -mountain: he there rolled himself on the dust, -tore away the hairs of his hoary beard, and dashed -the cup of consolation that Patience offered -him to the ground. He suffered not his minstrels -to approach his presence; but listened to -the melancholy birds of midnight, that flit -through the solitary vaults and echoing chambers -of the Pyramids. “Can that God be benevolent,” -he cried, “who thus wounds the soul, as -from an ambush, with unexpected sorrows, and -crushes his creatures in a moment with irremediable -calamity? Ye lying Imans, prate to us no -more of the justness and the kindness of an all-directing -and all-loving Providence! He, whom<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -ye pretend reigns in heaven, is so far from protecting -the sons of men, that he perpetually delights -to blast the sweetest flowerets in the garden -of Hope; and like a malignant giant to beat -down the strongest towers of happiness with the -iron mace of his anger. If this Being possessed -the goodness and the power with which flattering -priests have invested him, he would doubtless be -inclined and enabled to banish those evils which -render the world a dungeon of distress, a vale of -vanity and woe.—I will continue in it no longer!”</p> - -<p>At that moment he furiously raised his hand, -which Despair had armed with a dagger, to -strike deep into his bosom; when suddenly thick -flashes of lightning shot through the cavern, and -a being of more than human beauty and magnitude, -arrayed in azure robes, crowned with amaranth, -and waving a branch of palm in his right -hand, arrested the arm of the trembling and astonished -Calif, and said with a majestic smile, -“Follow me to the top of this mountain.”</p> - -<p>“Look from hence,” said the awful conductor; -“I am Caloc, the Angel of Peace; Look from -hence into the valley.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span></p> - -<p>Bozaldab opened his eyes and beheld a barren, -a sultry, and solitary island, in the midst of which -sat a pale, meagre, and ghastly figure: it was a -merchant just perishing with famine, and lamenting -that he could find neither wild berries, -nor a single spring in this forlorn and uninhabited -desert; and begging the protection of heaven -against the tigers that would now certainly destroy -him, since he had consumed the last fuel -he had collected to make nightly fires to affright -them. He then cast a casket of jewels on the -sand, as trifles of no use; and crept, feeble and -trembling, to an eminence, where he was accustomed -to sit to watch the setting sun, and to give -signal to any ship that might haply approach the -island.</p> - -<p>“Inhabitant of heaven,” cried Bozaldab, “suffer -not this wretch to perish by the fury of wild -beasts!”</p> - -<p>“Peace,” said the angel, “and observe.”</p> - -<p>He looked again, and behold a vessel arrived -at the desolate isle. What words can paint the -rapture of the starving merchant, when the captain -offered to transport him to his native country,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -if he would reward him with half the jewels of -his casket? No sooner had this pityless commander -received the stipulated sum, than he held a -consultation with his crew, and they agreed to -seize the remaining jewels, and leave the unhappy -exile in the same helpless and lamentable -condition in which they discovered him. He -wept and trembled, intreated and implored in -vain.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF BOZALDAB.<br /> -<span class="smaller">(CONCLUDED.)</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>“Will Heaven permit such injustice to be -practised?” exclaimed Bozaldab. “Look -again,” said the angel, “and behold the very -ship in which, short-sighted as thou art, thou -wishedst the merchant might embark, dashed in -pieces on a rock: dost thou not hear the cries of -the sinking sailors? Presume not to direct the -Governor of the Universe in his disposal of -events. The man whom thou hast pitied shall<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> -be taken from this dreary solitude, but not by -the method thou wouldst prescribe. His vice -was avarice, by which he became not only abominable, -but wretched; he fancied some mighty -charm in wealth, which, like the wand of Abdiel, -would gratify every wish and obviate every -fear. This wealth he has now been taught not -only to despise but abhor: he cast his jewels upon -the sand, and confessed them to be useless; -he offered part of them to the mariners, and perceived -them to be pernicious: he has now learnt, -that they are useful or vain, good or evil, only by -the situation and temper of the possessor. Happy -is he whom distress has taught wisdom! But -turn thine eyes to another and more interesting -scene.”</p> - -<p>The Calif instantly beheld a magnificent palace, -adorned with the statues of his ancestors -wrought in jasper; the ivory doors of which, -turning on hinges of the gold of Golconda, discovered -a throne of diamonds, surrounded with -the Rajas of fifty nations, and with ambassadors -in various habits, and of different complexions; -on which sat Aboram, the much-lamented son of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> -Bozaldab, and by his side a princess fairer than -a Houri.</p> - -<p>“Gracious Alla!—it is my son,” cried the Calif—“O -let me hold him to my heart!” “Thou -canst not grasp an unsubstantial vision,” replied -the angel: “I have now shewn thee what would -have been the destiny of thy son, had he continued -longer on the earth.” “And why,” returned -Bozaldab, “was he not permitted to continue? -Why was not I suffered to be a witness -of so much felicity and power?” “Consider the -sequel,” replied he that dwells in the fifth heaven. -Bozaldab looked earnestly, and saw the -countenance of his son, on which he had been -used to behold the placid simplicity and the vivid -blushes of health, now distorted with rage, and -now fixed in the insensibility of drunkenness: it -was again animated with disdain, it became pale -with apprehension, and appeared to be withered -by intemperance; his hands were stained with -blood, and he trembled by turns with fury and -terror. The palace so lately shining with oriental -pomp, changed suddenly into the cell of a -dungeon, where his son lay stretched out on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -cold pavement, gagged and bound, with his eyes -put out. Soon after he perceived the favourite -Sultana, who before was seated by his side, enter -with a bowl of poison, which she compelled Aboram -to drink, and afterwards married the successor -to his throne.</p> - -<p>“Happy,” said Caloc, “is he whom Providence -has by the angel of death snatched from -guilt! from whom that power is withheld, which, -if he had possessed, would have accumulated upon -himself yet greater misery than it could bring -upon others.”</p> - -<p>“It is enough,” cried Bozaldab; “I adore -the inscrutable schemes of omniscience!—From -what dreadful evil has my son been rescued by a -death, which I rashly bewailed as unfortunate -and premature; a death of innocence and peace, -which has blessed his memory upon earth, and -transmitted his spirit to the skies!”</p> - -<p>“Cast away the dagger,” replied the heavenly -messenger, “which thou wast preparing to -plunge into thine own heart. Exchange complaint -for silence, and doubt for adoration. Can -a mortal look down, without giddiness and stupifaction,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -in the vast abyss of Eternal Wisdom? -Can a mind that sees not infinitely, perfectly -comprehend any thing among an infinity of objects -mutually relative? Can the channels, which -thou commandest to be cut to receive the annual -inundations of the Nile, contain the waters of -the ocean? Remember, that perfect happiness -cannot be conferred on a creature; for perfect -happiness is an attribute as incommunicable as -perfect power and eternity.”</p> - -<p>The Angel, while he was speaking thus, -stretched out his pinions to fly back to the Empyreum; -and the flutter of his wings was like the -rushing of a cataract.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF OBIDAH.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Obidah, the son of Abensina, left the -caravansera early in the morning, and pursued -his journey through the plains of Indostan. He -was fresh and vigourous with rest; he was animated -with hope; he was incited by desire; he -walked swiftly forward over the vallies, and saw<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> -the hills gradually rising before him. As he -passed along, his ears were delighted with the -morning song of the bird of Paradise; he was -fanned by the last flutters of the sinking breeze, -and sprinkled with dew by groves of spices: he -sometimes contemplated the towering height of -the oak, monarch of the hills; and sometimes -caught the gentle fragrance of the primrose, -eldest daughter of the spring: all his senses were -gratified, and all care was banished from his -heart.</p> - -<p>Thus he went on till the sun approached his -meridian, and the increasing heat preyed upon -his strength; he then looked round about him -for some more commodious path. He saw, on -his right hand, a grove that seemed to wave its -shades as a sign of invitation; he entered it, and -found the coolness and verdure irresistibly pleasant. -He did not however, forget whither he -was travelling, but found a narrow way, bordered -with flowers, which appeared to have the -same direction with the main road, and was -pleased that, by this happy experiment, he had -found means to unite pleasure with business, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> -gain the rewards of diligence without suffering -its fatigues. He therefore still continued to walk -for a time, without the least remission of his ardour, -except that he was sometimes tempted to -stop by the music of the birds, whom the heat -had assembled in the shade, and sometimes -amused himself with plucking the flowers that -covered the banks on either side, or the fruits -that hung upon the branches. At last the green -path began to decline from its first tendency, -and to wind among hills and thickets, cooled -with fountains, and murmuring with waterfalls. -Here Obidah paused for a time, and began to -consider whether it were longer safe to forsake -the known and common track; but remembering -that the heat was now in its greatest violence, -and that the plain was dusty and uneven, -he resolved to pursue the new path, which he -supposed only to make a few meanders, in compliance -with the varieties of the ground, and to -end at last in the common road.</p> - -<p>Having thus calmed his solicitude, he renewed -his pace, though he suspected that he was not -gaining ground. This uneasiness of his mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> -inclined him to lay hold on every new object, -and give way to every sensation that might -sooth and divert him. He listened to every -echo, he mounted every hill for a fresh prospect, -he turned aside to every cascade, and pleased -himself with tracing the course of a gentle river -that rolled among the trees, and watered a large -region with innumerable circumvolutions. In -these amusements the hours passed away unaccounted, -his deviations had perplexed his memory, -and he knew not towards what point to -travel. He stood pensive and confused, afraid -to go forward lest he should go wrong, yet conscious -that the time of loitering was now past. -While he was thus tortured with uncertainty, -the sky was overspread with clouds, the day -vanished from before him, and a sudden tempest -gathered round his head. He was now roused -by his danger to a quick and painful remembrance -of his folly; he now saw how happiness -is lost when ease is consulted; he lamented the -unmanly impatience that prompted him to seek -shelter in the grove, and despised the petty -curiosity that led him on from trifle to trifle.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -While he was thus reflecting, the air grew -blacker, and a clap of thunder broke his meditation.</p> - -<p>He now resolved to do what remained yet in -his power, to tread back the ground which he -had passed, and try to find some issue where the -wood might open into the plain. He prostrated -himself on the ground, and commended his life -to the Lord of Nature. He rose with confidence -and tranquillity, and pressed on with his -sabre in hand, for the beasts of the desart were -in motion, and on every hand were mingled -howls of rage and fear, and savage expiration; -all the horrors of darkness and solitude surrounded -him; the winds roared in the woods, -and the torrents tumbled from the hills.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Work’d into sudden rage by wint’ry show’rs,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Down the steep hill the roaring torrent pours;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The mountain shepherd hears the distant noise.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Thus forlorn and distressed, he wandered -through the wild, without knowing whither he -was going, or whether he was every moment<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> -drawing nearer to safety or to destruction. At -length not fear but labour began to overcome -him; his breath grew short, and his knees trembled, -and he was on the point of lying down in -resignation to his fate, when he beheld through -the branches the glimmer of a taper. He -advanced towards the light, and finding that it -proceeded from the cottage of a hermit, he -called humbly at the door, and obtained admission. -The old man set before him such provisions -as he had collected for himself, on which -Obidah fed with eagerness and gratitude.</p> - -<p>When the repast was over, “Tell me,” said -the hermit, “by what chance thou hast been -brought hither; I have been now twenty years -an inhabitant of the wilderness, in which I never -saw a man before.” Obidah then related the -occurrences of his journey, without any concealment -or palliation.</p> - -<p>“Son,” said the hermit, “let the errors and -follies, the dangers and escapes, of this day, sink -deep into thy heart. Remember, my son, that -human life is the journey of a day: we rise in -the morning of youth, full of vigour, and full of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> -expectation; we set forward with spirit and -hope, with gaiety and with diligence, and travel -on awhile in the strait road of piety towards the -mansions of rest. In a short time we remit our -fervour, and endeavour to find some mitigation -of our duty, and some more easy means of obtaining -the same end. We then relax our vigour, -and resolve no longer to be terrified with crimes -at a distance, but rely upon our own constancy, -and venture to approach what we resolve never -to touch. We thus enter the bowers of ease, -and repose in the shades of security. Here the -heart softens, and vigilance subsides; we are -then willing to inquire whether another advance -cannot be made, and whether we may not at -least turn our eyes upon the gardens of pleasure. -We approach them with scruple and hesitation; -we enter them, but enter timorous and trembling, -and always hope to pass through them -without losing the road of virtue, which we, for -awhile, keep in our sight, and to which we propose -to return. But temptation succeeds temptation, -and one compliance prepares us for another; -we in time lose the happiness of innocence,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> -and solace our disquiet with sensual gratifications. -By degrees we let fall the remembrance -of our original intention, and quit the -only adequate object of rational desire. We -entangle ourselves in business, immerge ourselves -in luxury, and rove through the labyrinths -of inconstancy, till the darkness of old age -begins to invade us, and disease and anxiety obstruct -our way. We then look back upon our -lives with horror, with sorrow, with repentance; -and wish, but too often vainly wish, that we had -not forsaken the ways of virtue. Happy are -they, my son, who shall learn from thy example -not to despair, but shall remember, that though -the day is past, and their strength is wasted, -there yet remains one effort to be made; that -reformation is never hopeless, nor sincere endeavours -ever unassisted; that the wanderer may at -length return after all his errors, and that he -who implores strength and courage from above, -shall find danger and difficulty give way before -him. Go now, my son, to thy repose, commit -thyself to the care of Omnipotence, and when -the morning calls again to toil, begin anew thy -journey and thy life.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">INGRATITUDE PUNISHED.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A Dervise, venerable by his age, fell ill in -the house of a woman who had been long a widow, -and lived in extreme poverty in the suburbs -of Balsora. He was so touched with the -care and zeal with which she had assisted him, -that at his departure he said to her, “I have remarked -that you have wherewith to subsist -alone, but that you have not subsistence enough -to share it with your only son, the young Abdallah. -If you will trust him to my care, I will endeavour -to acknowledge, in his person, the obligations -I have to you for your care of me.” The -good woman received this proposal with joy; and -the Dervise departed with the young man, advertising -her, that they must perform a journey -which would last nearly two years. As they -travelled he kept him in affluence, gave him excellent -instructions, cured him of a dangerous -disease with which he was attacked; in fine, he -took the same care of him as if he had been his -own son. Abdallah a hundred times testified his -gratitude to him for all his bounties; but the old<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -man always answered, “My son, it is by actions -that gratitude is proved; we shall see in a proper -time and place, whether you are so grateful -as you pretend.”</p> - -<p>One day, as they continued their travels, they -found themselves in a solitary place, and the -Dervise said to Abdallah, “My son, we are now -at the end of our journey; I shall employ my -prayers to obtain from Heaven, that the earth -may open and make an entrance wide enough to -permit thee to descend into a place where thou -wilt find one of the greatest treasures that the -earth incloses into her bowels. Hast thou courage -to descend into this subterraneous vault?” -continued he. Abdallah swore to him, he might -depend upon his obedience and zeal. Then the -Dervise lighted a small fire, into which he cast a -perfume; he read and prayed for some moments, -after which the earth opened, and the Dervise -said to him—“Thou mayest now enter, my dear -Abdallah, remember that it is in thy power to do -me a great service; and that this is, perhaps, the -only opportunity thou canst ever have of testifying -to me that thou art not ungrateful: Do not -let thyself be dazzled by all the riches thou wilt<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -find there; think only of seizing upon an iron -candlestick with twelve branches, which thou -wilt find close to a door; that is absolutely necessary -to me; come up immediately, and bring -it to me.” Abdallah promised every thing, and -descended boldly into the vault. But forgetting -what had been expressly recommended to him, -whilst he was filling his vest and bosom with -gold and jewels, which this subterraneous vault -inclosed in prodigious heaps, the opening by -which he entered closed of itself. He had, however, -presence of mind enough to seize on the -iron candlestick, which the Dervise had so strongly -recommended to him; and though the situation -he was in was very terrible, he did not abandon -himself to despair; and thinking only in what -manner he should get out of a place which might -become his grave, he apprehended that the vault -had closed only because he had not followed the -order of the Dervise; he recalled to his memory -the care and goodness he had loaded him with; -reproached himself with his ingratitude, and finished -his meditation by humbling himself before -God. At length, after much pains and inquietude,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -he was fortunate enough to find a narrow -passage which led him out of this obscure -cave; though it was not till he had followed it a -considerable way, that he perceived a small opening -covered with briars and thorns, through -which he returned to the light of the sun. He -looked on all sides, to see if he could perceive the -Dervise, but in vain; he designed to deliver him -the iron candlestick he so much wished for, and -formed a design of quitting him, being rich -enough with what he had taken out of the cavern, -to live in affluence without his assistance.</p> - -<p>Not perceiving the Dervise, nor remembering -any of the places through which he had passed, -he went on as fortune had directed him, and was -extremely astonished to find himself opposite to -his mother’s house, which he imagined he was at -a great distance from him. She immediately enquired -after the holy Dervise. Abdallah told -her frankly what had happened to him, and the -danger he had run to satisfy his unreasonable desires; -he afterwards shewed her the riches with -which he was loaded. His mother concluded, -upon the sight of them, that the Dervise only designed -to make trial of his courage and obedience,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> -and that they ought to make use of the -happiness which fortune had presented to them; -adding, that doubtless such was the intention of -the holy Dervise. Whilst they contemplated -upon these treasures with avidity; whilst they -were dazzled with the lustre of them, and formed -a thousand projects in consequence of them, -they all vanished away before their eyes. It -was then that Abdallah sincerely reproached -himself for his ingratitude and disobedience; -and, perceiving that the iron candlestick had resisted -the enchantment, or rather the just punishment -which those deserve who do not execute -what they promise, he said, prostrating himself, -“What happened to me is just; I have lost -what I had no design to restore, and the candlestick -which I intended to deliver to the Dervise, -remains with me: It is a proof that it rightly belongs -to him, and that the rest was unjustly acquired.” -As he finished these words, he placed -the candlestick in the midst of their little house.</p> - -<p>When the night was come, without reflecting -upon it, he placed the light in the candlestick. -Immediately they saw a Dervise appear, who -turned round for an hour, and disappeared, after<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> -having thrown them an asper. The candlestick -had twelve branches. Abdallah, who was meditating -all the day upon what he had seen -the night before, was willing to know what would -happen the next night, if he put a light in each -of them; he did so, and twelve Dervises appeared -that instant; they turned round also for an -hour, and each threw an asper as they disappeared. -He repeated every day the same ceremony, -which had always the same success; but -he could never make it succeed more than once -in twenty-four hours. This trifling sum was -enough to make his mother and himself subsist -tolerably: there was a time when they would -have desired no more to be happy; but it was -not considerable enough to change their fortune: -it is always dangerous for the imagination to be -fixed upon the idea of riches. The sight of what -he believed he should possess; the projects he -had formed for the employment of it; all these -things had left such profound traces in the mind -of Abdallah, that nothing could efface them. -Therefore, seeing the small advantage he drew -from the candlestick, he resolved to carry it back -to the Dervise, in hopes that he might obtain<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span> -of him the treasure he had seen, or at least find -again the riches which had vanished from their -sight, by restoring to him a thing for which he -testified so earnest a desire. He was so fortunate -as to remember his name, and that of the city -where he inhabited. He departed, therefore, immediately -for Magrebi, carrying with him his -candlestick, which he lighted every night, and -by that means furnished himself with what was -necessary on the road, without being obliged to -implore the assistance and compassion of the -faithful. When he arrived at Magrebi, his first -care was to enquire in what house, or in what -convent, Abounadar lodged; he was so well -known that every body told him his habitation. -He repaired thither directly, and found fifty porters -who kept the gate of his house, having each -a staff with a head of gold in their hands: the -court of this palace was filled with slaves and -domestics; in fine, the residence of a prince -could not expose to view greater magnificence. -Abdallah, struck with astonishment and admiration, -feared to proceed. Certainly, thought he, -I either explained myself wrong, or those to -whom I addressed myself designed to make a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> -jest of me, because I was a stranger: this is not -the habitation of a Dervise, it is that of a king. -He was in this embarrassment when a man approached -him, and said to him, “Abdallah, thou -art welcome; my master, Abounadar, has long -expected thee.” He then conducted him to an -agreeable and magnificent pavilion, where the -Dervise was seated. Abdallah, struck with the -riches which he beheld on all sides, would have -prostrated himself at his feet, but Abounadar -prevented him, and interrupted him when he -would have made a merit of the candlestick, -which he presented to him. “Thou art but an -ungrateful wretch,” said he to him: “Dost thou -imagine that thou canst impose upon me? I am not -ignorant of any one of thy thoughts; and if thou -hadst known the value of this candlestick, thou -would never have brought it to me: I will make -thee sensible of its true use.” Immediately he -placed a light in each of its branches; and when -the twelve Dervises had turned round for some -time, Abounadar gave each of them a blow with -a cane, and in a moment they were converted -into twelve sequins, diamonds, and other precious -stones. “This,” said he, “is the proper<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span> -use to be made of this marvellous candlestick. -As to me, I never desired it, but to place it in -my cabinet, as a talisman composed by a sage -whom I revere, and am pleased to expose sometimes -to those who come to visit me: and to -prove to thee,” added he, “that curiosity was -the only occasion of my search for it; here are -keys of my magazines, open them, and thou -shalt judge of my riches: thou shalt tell me -whether the most insatiable miser would not be -satisfied with them.” Abdallah obeyed him, and -examined twelve magazines of great extent, so -full of all manner of riches, that he could not -distinguish what merited his admiration most; -they all deserved it, and produced new desires. -The regret of having restored the candlestick, -and that of not having found out the use of it, -pierced the heart of Abdallah. Abounadar -seemed not to perceive it; on the contrary, he -loaded him with caresses, kept him some days -in the house, and commanded him to be treated -as himself. When he was at the eve of the -day which he had fixed for his departure, he said -to him, “Abdallah, my son, I believe by what -has happened to thee, thou art corrected of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span> -frightful vice of ingratitude; however, I owe thee -a mark of my affection, for having undertaken so -long a journey, with a view of bringing me the -thing I had desired: thou may’st depart, I shall -detain thee no longer. Thou shalt find to-morrow, -at the gate of my palace, one of my horses -to carry thee; I make thee a present of it, as well -as of a slave, who shall conduct thee to thy house; -and two camels loaded with gold and jewels, -which thou shalt choose thyself out of my treasures.” -Abdallah said to him all that a heart sensible -to avarice could express when its passion -was satisfied, and went to lie down till the morning -arrived, which was fixed for his departure.</p> - -<p>During the night he was still agitated, without -being able to think of any thing but the -candlestick and what it produced. “I had it,” -said he, “so long in my power; Abounadar, -without me, had never been the possessor of it: -what risks did I not run in the subterraneous -vault? Why does he now possess this treasure of -treasures? Because I had the probity, or rather -the folly, to bring it back to him; he profits by -my labour, and the danger I have incurred in so -long a journey. And what does he give me in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> -return? Two camels loaded with gold and -jewels; in one moment the candlestick will furnish -him with ten times as much. It is Abounadar -who is ungrateful: what wrong shall I do -him in taking this candlestick? None, certainly, -for he is rich: and what do I possess?” These -ideas determined him, at length, to make all possible -attempts to seize upon the candlestick. -The thing was not difficult, Abounadar having -trusted him with the keys of the magazines. He -knew where the candlestick was placed; he -seized upon it, hid it in the bottom of one of the -sacks, which he filled with pieces of gold and -other riches which he was allowed to take, and -loaded it, as well as the rest, upon his camels. -He had no other eagerness now than for his -departure; and after having hastily bid adieu to -the generous Abounadar, he delivered him his -keys, and departed with his horse, and slave, -and two camels.</p> - -<p>When he was some days journey from Balsora, -he sold his slave, resolving not to have a -witness of his former poverty, nor of the source -of his present riches. He bought another, and -arrived without any obstacle at his mother’s, -whom he would scarcely look upon, so much -was he taken up with his treasure. His first -care was to place the loads of his camels, and the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span> -candlestick, in the most private part of the -house; and, in his impatience to feed his eyes, -with his great opulence, he placed lights immediately -in the candlestick: the twelve Dervises -appearing, he gave each of them a blow with a -cane with all his strength, lest he should be -failing in the laws of the talisman: but he had -not remarked, that Abounadar, when he struck -them, had the cane in his left hand. Abdallah, -by a natural motion, made use of his right; and -the Dervises, instead of becoming heaps of -riches, immediately drew from beneath their -robes each a formidable club, with which they -struck him almost dead, and disappeared, carrying -with them all his treasures, the camels, the -horse, the slave, and the candlestick.</p> - -<p>Thus was Abdallah punished by poverty, and -almost by death, for his unreasonable ambition, -which perhaps might have been pardonable, if -it had not been accompanied by an ingratitude -as wicked as it was audacious, since he had not -so much as the resource of being able to conceal -his perfidies from the too piercing eyes of his -benefactor.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">FINIS.</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">Harrild, Printer, Eastcheap.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Oriental tales, for the entertainment -of youth, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIENTAL TALES FOR ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH *** - -***** This file should be named 62868-h.htm or 62868-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/8/6/62868/ - -Produced by Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/62868-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/62868-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d3e527c..0000000 --- a/old/62868-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62868-h/images/frontispiece.jpg b/old/62868-h/images/frontispiece.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b1ca1ae..0000000 --- a/old/62868-h/images/frontispiece.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62868-h/images/line.jpg b/old/62868-h/images/line.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b79dd9d..0000000 --- a/old/62868-h/images/line.jpg +++ /dev/null |
