some of their chiefs, was nevertheless constrained by hunger, and his utter ignorance of the country, to trust himself among their tents. Accordingly, riding up with affected composure, and addressing himself to the first man he saw, he requested to be conducted to the chief's tent. On arriving before the door, a young woman, beautiful as Zuleikha, but unveiled as is their custom, came forth, and, observing that her father was old and infirm, entreated him to alight and enter. Her loveliness pierced his heart like an arrow. For some time he sat still in the saddle, gazing at her eyes, without answering a word. Presently, perceiving his amazement, she repeated her invitation; and the Shah, starting as from a dream, dismounted, and apologising for his absence of manner, followed her into the tent. Here he was received with true Eylât hospitality; and, when he had eaten, taking the old chief aside,

6

"Mashallah,' said he, your daughter is beautiful. I am the Shah; will you give her to be the sun of my harem ?'

"It is impossible!' replied the old man; she is already married; and her husband, a young man of our tribe, who will be here presently, loves her more than his eyes.'

“I will make him governor of a province,' rejoined the Shah, if he will yield her up to me. My heart is scorched to a cinder.'

"It cannot be,' replied her father.

She is the star

of my tribe, her husband is my bravest warrior.

I am

old, and who knows? In a short time my horse and my spear may descend to him. I am on the edge of the grave.'

"Old man!' exclaimed the monarch, all the gold of Persia is mine. Let him yield her up, and he shall have her weight in tomans!'

"What! sell my daughter? By my beard, if you were not the Shah!... But say no more of it. The blood of the Eylât is hot.'

"His Majesty now perceived that he was not in Ispahan, were every man's head was at his disposal. Biting his lips, therefore, he remained silent for some minutes; then, feigning to be content,—

--

"Mashallah! there is no evil,' said he; you have other daughters, perhaps; and, if not, why we must rest satisfied.'

66

Nothing further took place that night; but, on the morrow, the Shah's hunting companions and guards, after traversing the country in all directions, having discovered that their master was in the Eylât's tent, came galloping up, and, being in considerable numbers, exhibited that sort of insolence by which power is often distinguished. Now it was his Majesty's turn to talk authoritatively. Sending for the old man, who, apprehending evil, had retired into his harem, he said,

"We are not accustomed to entreat our subjects when we would do them the honour to take their daughters into our harem. Still, in the present case, we condescend to ask your permission, though determined, should you refuse to grant it, to make use of the power and authority intrusted to us. See, my troops surrouud your camp. Your daughter I must have. Her husband, if he submit with a good grace, shall receive a high command, with presents of inestimable value; if not, his

head is ours, and we shall order it to be laid at our feet.

Let the woman be brought forth.'

"The husband stood near. His heart was rent by the fiercest passions-his eyes rolled-his lips quivered. At length, turning to the Shah,

"Your Majesty,' said he, 'must allow that it is hard to part with those we love. Nevertheless, as it seems to be the will of God, I shall submit to it; and only demand your gracious leave to salute and bid her adieu in your presence.'

"This being readily granted, the lady was brought forth, and the husband, stepping up to her, and kissing her lips, whispered in their own language The day is come for us to part. If you have loved as I have, say the word-I will free you yet-but, if words only have passed between us, you may go with the Shah.'

"How can you doubt me?' she answered. 'I have loved you as my soul. I see the handle of your poinard. Use it, and let us meet in Heaven.'

"In another moment he had plunged the dagger in her breast, and the blood spouting forth in streams, some drops fell upon this shawl, which the shah then wore about his waist. The Eylât was cut down and joined his beloved in Paradise; but the men of his tribe, rushing with fury to the combat, the Persians were repulsed with great slaughter; and in the combat his Majesty received a wound, which, though not instantly mortal, in the end was the cause of his death. His shawl, stained with the blood of the Eylât princess, he sent as an offering to the shrine of Hassein; but on the way it fell into the hands of the

Bedouins, who sold it here in Cairo. Such is the history of this article. Judge whether it be not equal in virtue to a talisman."

After such recommendation, who could resist buying? I became the purchaser, and the blood of the Eylât princess is now religiously preserved in London, as a relic rendered sacred by love.

THE OLD OAK TREE.

HAIL! Hail! to the old Oak Tree,

The boast of the brave, and the joy of the free ;
For while thou art ours merry England shall be
The pride of the world, and the queen of the sea!

Spring adorneth thy limbs with bright emerald studs,

Summer bathes thy proud head with her fresh falling floods;
Thy rich flowing tresses doth Autumn caress,

And Winter flings o'er thee his frost-spangled dress.

Then Hail! Hail to the old Oak Tree,

The boast of the brave, and the joy of the free;

For while thou art ours merry England shall be

The pride of the world, and the queen of the sea!

Wave, wave all thy wide-spreading arms,

Which embrace thy soft winds as they sing of thy charms;
For centuries laugh at the storm's iron rage,

And live in the joy of a green old age.

In my infancy thou wert my earliest friend,

Childhood taught me to climb where thy tall branches bend,

And manhood near thee all its bravery calls,

In "Britain's best bulwark, her own wooden walls."

Then Hail! Hail! to the old Oak Tree,

The boast of the brave, and the joy of the free;

For while thou art ours merry England shall be

The pride of the world, and the queen of the sea!

THE

FLOWER GIRL OF THE PONT NEUF.

I WAS crossing the Pont Neuf at the moment when a porter belonging to the Bank of France, pretty well tired of the weight he carried (it was a bag containing nine thousand francs in silver), stopped to rest himself by leaning against the parapet wall of the bridge; but at the moment that he did so, his valuable load, either from awkwardness or carelessness, slipped out of his hands, and fell into the Seine, which is very deep just in that spot.

Never shall I forget his look of despair. He made a movement as if to jump over; and, I believe, would have effected his purpose, but for the presence of mind of a girl; a little delicate looking thing of about sixteen, a violet-seller, who, clasping her arms around him, cried for help, which in an instant was afforded.

Myself and some others seized him; he struggled with us desperately. "Let me go! let me go!" cried he; "I am ruined for ever. My wife, my children, what will become of you?" A multitude of voices were raised at once, some to console, others to inquire; but above the rest were heard the clear and silver tones of the little violet girl:"My friend, have patience, you have lost nothing." "Nothing! Oh, heavens!" "No, no; I tell you no. Let some one run for the divers :