ALLADIN THE PERSIAN, AN EASTERN TALE Sir, I have observed several hints from you, requestiug pieces of enter CHAPTER I. The gift. THERE were formerly in the city of Schiras, the capital of Persia, two principal families, who had often been rivals for the command of the armies or the first places in the council of the Sultan. The two heads of these illustrious families, had married the daughters of the Mufti; this venerable personage had been anxious to marry his daughters advantageously, and at the same time to put an end to the quarrels which had divided both court and city. His end had been answered; the monarch was better served, and as favours were now equally distributed to the two families, envy or hatred no longer existed. Schreidan one of his sons-in-law was governor of the capital. Manefses, the other. commanded the Sultan's body guard. This employment gave him constant accefs to the sovereign, and very great authority. Many years pafsed without the Mufti having the satisfaction of seeing his race perpetuated. He frequently fhut himself up alone in the mosque, and after prostrating himself in the floor, invoked God and the prophet. "O great Mahomet, cried he one day, who sittest on the right hand of God, what have I been guilty of, that 66 97 I fhould be deprived of a comfort, which thou grantest to all th children of Adam? You have said, great God, that his posterity fhould be as numerous as the sands of the sea; and I alone remain upon the earth like to a tree whose roots are dried up. During forty years I have never failed one day in my five ablutions, and I am now at the end of my course." In saying these words tears overflowed his cheeks, and sobs interrupted his speech. At that instant the door of the mosque opened ;-a ray of most splendid light struck his eyes; he saw in this ray a man on horseback, brilliant with brightness, who said to him, 66 Thy vows have been carried by the prophet to the footstool of the eternal throne; thou fhalt live again in thy children, and thy race fhal! not finish, but with the Koran." The dome closed, the light disappeared, and the heart of the Mufti was filled with ineffable joy; he prostrated himself again, and rendered a thousand actions of thanks to God and his prophet. On his return, his children were struck with the happiness and joy which appeared in his countenance. He gave a grand feast which lasted three days, which was attended by all the grandees of the empire, and even by the sultan himself. His daughters were not long before they informed him that the promise of the prophet was fulfilled. They were with child at the same time; and the most magnificent preparations were made for their lying in, which would take place at the same period. The two sisters conversed frequently on an event so long wished for. The protection of the prophet, afsured to their chil VOL. Xviii. N dren, a brilliant and happy destiny. men." "I with, said one of them, that my son may be the handsomest of And mine the bravest, said the other." "He will be like his grandfather, said one, who lived to the age of ninety, and who at that age made his wife the mother of two children.' Each of the two families had a protecting fairy, who came at the birth of every child, to present it with gifts; but it sometimes happened, that a wic ked fairy, came before the other, and then all that remained for her to do, was to balance her gifts by those of such tendency, as to soften their bad effects. When the wicked fairy had gifted a child with deformity, the other granted him an exprefsion of benevolence and sweetnefs, which caused his ugli nefs to be overlooked: When the made one proud, the other gave felicity and an honest heart. The good fairy had need of a great deal of art to coun teract the ill effects of her enemy, for which reason she had made morality the study of her life, that she might know the different qualities of the mind which combat each other. Sometimes when he had no other means to oppose to the baneful effects of the gifts of the wicked fairy, the gave to the child, laziness, and a love of sensual pleasure. She blunted by this means all his faculties; and by means of this wise combination, a man who would have been a monster by the excess of his vices, vegetated on piles of cushions, amidst his women, and terminated speedily his course. The wife of Schreidan just felt those pains which prove mankind to be the children of Adam, and which announced the toils to which hu nan life is subjected. The family immediately fell to prayers; invoked the prophet, and called out hastily on the good fairy. Alas! it was in vain; fhe was at that moment attending the lying in of the princefs of China. A noise like thunder was heard; and the bad fairy dashed through the windows, mounted on a dragon, which vomited out fire and smoke. "I give your child, says fhe, in a menacing tone, with a feeling heart, a fuperior genius, and a frank and open disposition." Scarce had the pronounced these words, than fhe flew away to do more wickedness. The family were stupified: the sick lady, who having fainted had heard nothing, thanked Heaven for the great qualities granted to her son. "The fairy must have made up her quarrel with our family (said an old aunt), my nephew will be the greatest man of his age." says the grand-mother, all that glistens is not gold: I do not like these great geniuses,-they act frequently like fools. At this instant the good fairy arrived, who had travelled 3000 leagues in four minutes. "I am come too late, I see; but you seem all mightily pleased." They told her all that had pafsed. "That is a very wicked woman: repeat it to me once more -a feeling heart, ah the wretch! a superior geniųs, what wickedness! There is only wanting franknefs" He has that also,' said the lady in bed, and "I am in despair, are you not plsased with it? (said the good fairy); there never came so many Ah, misfortunes heaped on one head. Alas! (continued fhe, with a heavy sigh) the moments are precious. Well, he fhall be indolent; that is all I can do to arrest the evils that menace him, and to counteract the disagreeable qualities with which he has been gifted with so much malice." She set out again directly for the Indies, where he was impatiently expected. The wife of Manefses was brought to bed next day; the protecting fairy came first, and the family were enchanted with her quick appearance. "Your child, says he to the sick lady, fhall have a moderate but active mind, a patient character, and a cold beart" Manefses and his wife looked at each other with astonishment; The fairy took notice of it, "I know very well what I have done," said she, and disappeared. "It is scarce worth while, said Manefses, to be under the protection of a fairy for upwards of 400 years to obtain no better gifts. Your sister has been much Her son will be a great man make any figure." One never understands the conduct of fairies,' replied the wife, like wits, by wishing themselves remarked, they do a thousand foolish things.' treated by a bad fairy whilst ours will never CHAPTER II. The education of the two cousins. ALLADIN the son of Schreidan, and SALEM the son of Manefses, were sent very young to a college of Santons, where these humble servants of the prophet only received those of the highest ranks. Alladin |