The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • 1

i 11 fes uswjsi fefsSrSJ AND LITE1ASY MEGIBTE PRINCIPLES ANt3 MET'. Vol. VII. PHILADELPHIA. MONDAY AFTERNOON.

DECKMIIKU 24, 1827. No. 2188. what was the matter. Don't you know Ahmed the cobbler." said one of the bystanders, laughing; After these words she.walked awsy, and Ahmed their exart number? and night after night, with returned to his home, tlioukful to Providence for i out ever ence being mistaken? He must have culprit, and that be would show mercy to the ether two.

The king heard the story with astonishment, but was unable to find any clue by which he inieht as he has been inspired, and is become an Ins preservation, and fully resolved never again to learnt it by his skill in astrology. F.ven the cap PRINTED AND PUBLISHED DAILY WILLIAM FR Ho. T2, SOUTH SECOND STREET, PHILADKLI'HiA. Price Eight Dollars per annum, payable half yearly in advance. tempt it.

His handsome wife, however, could not tain now yielded, in suite of Lis incredulity, and yet rival the chief astrologer's lady iu her appear- declared his opinion that it was hopeless to elude "i -n ing my word to return, that he might hot be dis: sppuiuted of his booly. After some heritation he slluwed me to proceed. I had not gone many steps, when I encountered a furious lion, which Bad broken loose fiom my father's menagerie. Knowing the merciful nature of this auirhal towards the weak and defenceless; I dropped on my knees, repeated my story, and assured him, if he would let me fulfil my vow, I would come back to him as ready le be destroyed ance at the Hemmam, so she renewed her intrea- a man thus gifted: he t- erefore advised that ihey certain the truth. He summoned bis vizier and all the wisest meu of his court; but they were as much at a loss as their master.

The report spread through tne city; and Sittara thought she had now the means of working; her husband's ruin. Sbb soli ties and threats to make her fond husband continue his career as an astrologer. About this time it happened that the king's treasury was robbed of forty chests of gold and jewels, fotining the grbater part of the wealth of the king A uiowniug man will catch at a broken reed: the jeweller no sooner heard tlio sound of the word attndogoi, than he went up to Ahmed, told him what bad happened, and If you understand your art, you must be able to discover the king' ruby. Do so, and I will give you two hundred pieces of gold, iflut if you do not succeed within six hours, 1 will use all my influence at court to have you put to death as an Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. He stood long without being able to move or speak, reflecting on his misfortunes, and grieving, above all, that his wife, whom he so loved, had, by her envy and selfishness, brought him to such a fearful alternative.

Full of these sad thoughts, he exclaimed Oh, woman, woman! thou art more baneful to the happiness of man thaa the poisonous draeon of the dom. The high treasurer' and 'other ollicera of state should make a frn-nd of the cobbler, by confessing every thing to him, and bribing lulu To sectecy by a share of the booty. His advice was approved of; and an hour befcre dawn they knocke.f tit Ahmed's dour. The poor man jumped out of bed, and, supposing the soldiers were ctme to lead him to execution, cried out, Have patience. I know what you are come for.

It is a Very unjust and wicked deed." Moat wonderful said the captain, as the door was opened. we are fully convinced that cited a private audience of his majesty, on the plea of having a communication of Importance to make. Her request was granted. On entering the royal presence she threw herself at his feet, exclaiming, Pardon, king! my having so long concealed the guilt of my husband Ahmed, whose alliance is a disgrace to the royal blood. He is no astroloirtr, but an associate of thieves, and by that means only did he discover the royal treasure.

If any doubts are entertained of my speaking the truth, let his used all diligence to find the thieves, but in vain. The King sent for his astrologer, and declared, that if the robbers were not delected by a stated time, he as well as the principal ministers, should be put to death. Only one day of the short period given them remained. All their search had proved fruitless, and the chief astrologer who had made his cal-culations and exhausted his art to no purpose, had CFajette. rOK THE NATIONAL OillTTI.

-Account of a visit from SI. JVictolat or Satite Claut. 'Twas the night beforo Christmas, when all thro'th house, Not a cioature stirring, hrtt even a moose; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. In hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nested all snug iu their beds. While visions of sugar plumbs danced iu their heads. And Mamma iu her 'kerchief, and I in my cap. Had just sctlled our brains for a long winter's nap When out on the lawn there aroie such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter; Away to the window I (lew like a flash, Tore open the abutters, and threw up the sash. The moon on the preset of the new fallen snow, desert I' resigned himself to his fate, when one of bis thou knowest why we are come, nor do we mean to justify the action of which thou speakest.

Here are two thousand pieces of gold, which we ill give thes, provided thou wilt swear to say nothing more about the Say nothing about said Ahmed. Do you think it possible I can suffer such gross wrong aud injustice without comnlaiiiine. and makinir it The lost ruby had been secreted by th wife, who, disquieted bv those alarms which fneitds advised bun to send for the wonderful cobbler, who had become so famous fur bis extraordi ever attend guilt, sent one of her female slaves to nary discoveries. Two slaves were lmihediate'y despatched for Ahmed, whom they commanded to watch her hus'jand. 7 his slave, on seeing her mas go with them to their master, You see the effects ter speak the astrologer, drew noar; and when she heard Ahmed, after some moments of apparent ol your ambition' said the poor cobbler to his wife; 1 am goinir to my death, the Kmi; aslroloeer abstraction, compare a weman to a poisonous dragon, she was satisfied he must know every thing.

has heard of niy presumption, and is determined to She ran to her mistress, and, breathless with fear. nare me executed as an impostor. On entering the palace of the chief astrologer, he cried, You are discovered, my dear mispress, you are discovered by a vile astrologer. Before six was surprised to see that dignified person come forward to receive him, and lead him to the seat of Gave th lustie of mid-day to objects below; When what to my wondering; eyes should appear, But a lniniatu.e sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More raDid than eailes his couriers they came, hours are past, the whole story will be known, and you will become you are so fortunate as to escape with life, unless you can find someway of prevailing on him to be She then related what she had seen and heard; and Ahmed's exclamation earned as complete conviction to the mind of the terrihed mistress as it had done to that And he wbistlod, and ahouted, and called them by cl Iter slave. The jeweller's wife, hastily throwing en her veil, went in search of the dreaded astrologer. When Is he could be to make me bis prey. The lion step pad asjde and 1 went into the garden. I found the old gardener all impatience for my arrival.

He flew lo meet me, exclaiming I was ad sngel. I told him I was resigned to my engagement, but had not long to live. He started, and asked what I meant. I gave him an account of my meeting with the thief and the lion. Wretch that I am cried the gardener; how much misery have I caused! but bad as I am, I am n.t worse than a thief, a beast Df prey; which I should be, did I not absolve you from your vow, and assdre you Ihe only way in which you can now make me lup-dy, is by forgiving my wicked i I was completely relieved by these words'and granted the forgiveness desired; but havisg deter, mined, in spite of the gardener's remonstrances, to beep my promises to the thief and the lion, I refused to accept his On leaving the garden, the lion met me.

Noble 1 said, I am come, as I promised you, I then related to hini how the gardener bad absolved me from my vow, and I expressed a hupe that the king of beasts would not belie his renown for generosity. The lion again stepped aside, and I proceeded to the thief, who was still standing where I left him. 1 told him I was now in his power, but that, before be stripped me, I must relate to him what had hap. peued since our last meeting. Having beaid me he turned me 4way, saying, 1 am not meaner thaa a poor gardener, nor more cruel than a hungry lioui I will not injure what'they have Delighted with my escapes, I relumed to my father's palace, wheie I was united to my eousiu, with whom I lived happily tb his death; persuaded, however, that the power ef human beings to do! good is very limited, and that when they lesve the narrow path marked out for them by their Maker, they not only lose their object, but often wander far into error and guilt, by alU-mpting more thad it is.

possible te The princess paused, and was glad to see hei guests so enchanted with her story that it had banished every other thought from their minds. Afler a few moments she turned to one of them, aasked Now which, think vou, showed the greatest virtue in his forbearance the gardener, the thief, or the The gardener was his answer; let abandon so lovely a prize, when so nearly bis And what is your opinion? said the princess to his neighbour. I think the lion was the most generous; hei must have. been very hungry; and in such a state it was great forbearance to abstain from devouring so delicate a You both seem to me quite wrong, said tbe third, impatiently; the thief had by far the most merit- Gracious Heavens! to have within his grasp such wealth, and to refrain from taking it I could not have believed it, possible, unless the brmcesa bersejf bad assuf-ed us of the she lound bim, she threw herself at his feet.crvine, Spare my honour and my life, and I will confess every thine ina-esiy command jvnmed to recover the emerald which the servants of the king of Seeslan have stolen. Surely the man who by his wonderful art ascertained where all the treasure of the kingdom was concealed, will find it an easy matter to discover a single precious stone.

The king, who loved his son-in-law, was grieved by this information. Still, as the honour of his family was concerned, he resolved to put Ahmed to the test; and, if be found him an impostor, to vindicate the royal diguity by his condign punishment. He therefore sent for Ahmed, told him what had happened, and added, I give you twenty days to discover who stole the emerald. If you succeed, you ohall he raised to the highest honours of the state. If not, you shall suffer death for having deceived Poor Ahmed quitted the presence quite disconsolate.

The princess, perceiving his affliction, inquired the cause. Ahmed was by nature as sincere as he was pious and humble. He related, without concealment or disguise, every evsnl of his past life; and concluded with these words: You must see, from what I have said, how incapable I am of doing what your father enjoins. My life must answer for il; and my only consolation is, that 1 shall, in twenty days, relieve you from a husband whom from this lime you must I only love you the better, my dear Ahmed, for your sincerity and said the princess. One who has been so favoured by Heaven must be dear to every pious heart.

Be of good cheer; I will turn astrologer this time, and see whether I can find out the thief. AH that I require is, that you endeavour to be composed, while I consult, the stars and make hay Ahmed, delighted by this proof of affection, and reassured by the confidence of her manner, promised to be obedient; and said he would only venture to assist her exertions by bis earnest prayers to that f'ower which had never deserted hint. The princess immediately invited the messengers fiotn the king of Seestan to ber They wete surprised at the invitation, and still more at their reception. You are she said to them, and come from a poweiful king: (t is my wish to show you every attention. As to the lost emerald, think no more of it; it is a mere trifle.

I will intercede with the king, any father, to give himself no further concern on the subject, being convinced that it has been lost by one of those What can you have to confess exclaim known to all the 4 Have meicy upon exclaimed the thieves, falling on their knees; nn'y spare our lives, and we will restore the royal The cobbler started, rubbed his eyes to see if he wera asleep or awake; and being satisfied that he was awake, and that the men before him were really the thieves, he assumed a solemn tone, and said Guilty men ye are persuaded that ya cannot escape from uiy penetration which reaches unto the sun aud mocn, and knows the position nd aspect of every star in the heavens. Your timely repentance has saved ydu. But ye must immediately restore all that ye have stolen. Go straightway, and cany the foiiy chests exactly as ye found them, and bury them a foot deep under the southern wall Of the Hommjin, beyond the king's palace. If ye do this punctually, your lives are spared; but if ye fail iu the slightest degree, destruction will fall ycu and your The thieves promised obedience to his commands, and departed.

Ahmed then fell on his knees, and returned thanks to God for this signal mark rf his favour. About two hours after the roynl guards came, and desired Ahmed to follow them. He said he would attend them as soon as he had taken leave of his wife, to whom he determined not to impart wht had occurred until he saw the result. He baife ber farewell very affectionately; she supported herself with great fortitude, on this trying occasien, exhorting her husband to be of good cheer, and said a few words about the goodness of But the fact was, Sittara fancied, that if God took the worthy cobbler to himself, ber beauty might attract some rich lover, who would enable her to go to the Hemmam with as much splendour as the astrologer's lady, whose image, adorned with jewels and tine clothes, and surrounded by slaves, still hauuted her imagination. The decrees of Heaven are just: a reward suited ed Ahmed, in amazement.

nothing! nothing with which you are not al ready acquainted. You know too well that I stole the ruby trom the king's crown. I did so to punish my husband, who uses me most cruellv: and I honour, and not less so to hear himself thus addressed: 'The ways of heaven, most learned and excellent Ahmed, are unsearchable- The high are often cast down and the low are lifted up. The whole world depends upon fate and fortUM'. It my turn now to be depiessed by fate; it is thine to be exalted by fortune.

His speech was here interrupted by a messenger from the king, who, having beard of the cobbler's fame, desired his attendance. Poor Ahmed now concluded that it was all over with him, and followed the king's messenger, praying to God that he would deliver him from his peril. When be came into the king's presence, be bent his body to the ground, and Wished his majesty long life and prosperity. Tell me, said the king, who has stolen my treasure. It was not one answered Ahmed, after some consideration; there were forty thieves concerned in the robbery.

Very said the king: "but who were they? and what bave they done with my gold and jewels These said Ahmed, I cannot now answer, but I hope to satisfy your majesty, if you will grant me forty days to make my I grant you forty said the king; but when they are past; if my treasure is not found, your life shall pay the forfeit. Ahmed returned to his house well pleased; for he resolved to take advantage of the time allowed bim to fly from a city where his fame was likely lo be his ruin. Well, Ah said his wife as be entered the bouse, what news at No news at said he. except that I am to thought by this means to obtain riches for myself. and to have him, put to death.

But you, most wonderful man, from whom notbins is hidden, have discovered ana detested my vsicked plan. I beg only fat mercy, and will do whatever you command name; Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer and Vixen, On Comet, on Cupid, on Dander tfnd Blixem To the top of the porch to the top of the wall Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, Wheu they meet with an obstacle, mount to the iky; Bo up to the house-top the coursers they flew. With the sleigh full of toysand St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heaid on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof; As 1 drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimuey St.

Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys was flung on his back, And he look'd like a pedlar just opening bis pack; His. eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherryi His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump ol a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath: He had a broad face, and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of Jelly, He was chubby and plump, aright jolly old elf, And 1 laughed when I saw him in spite cf my3elf; A wink of his eye and a twist ot his head Soon g-ave me to know I had nothing to dread! He spoken ot a word, but went straight to his work. And fill'd all the stockiugs; then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his none, An.i ivivini a nail tin the ehimnev be rose.

An angel from heaven coulJ not have brought, more eoBsolation to Ahmed than did the jeweller's wife. Ho assumed all the dignified solemnity that became his new character, and said, Woman; I know all that thou hast done, and it is fortunate for thee that thou hast come to confess thy sin, and beg for mercy before it was too late. Return to thy house, put the ruby under the pillow of the couch on which thy husband sleeps; let it be laid on the side farthest from the door; and be satisfied thy guilt shall never be even suspected." The jeweller's wife returned home, and did as She was desired. In an hour Ahmed followed her, and told the jeweller he had made his calculations and found by the aspect cf the sua and moon- and be put to death at the end of forty days, unless I to their merits awaited Ahmed and his wife. The good man stood with a cheerful countenance before the king, who was impatient for his arrival, and immediately said, Ahmed, thy looks are pro nnd loity cnests ot gold and jewels, which bave been stolen irom tne royal But you will discover the thieves- How? by what means am I to find mising, hast the? discovered my treasurer' strange accidents for which it is impossible to Does your rrlajesty require the thieves or the By the same art which discovered the rubv end Th tirinrss entertained the stranffers for se irr i star will only grant on otner, mo lady necKiace." veral days, and during that timeitbe emerald seemed said Ahmed, lookuig at his table of astrological cat by the configuration of the stars, that the ruby was at that moment lying tinder the pillow of bis couch, on the side farthest from tiWdoor jeweller thought Ahmed must be crazy, but as a "Ins same art ranlied AabMa.

Koohsh wa uun a our mjo4y mums analua your eaoice. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, i all H-iv like the down of a thistle: men I thou knowest that I have no art, and that I can deliver up either, but not lo be forgotten. She convel with them freely, inquiring particularly ol Seestan, and the countries tney bad seen on their travels. Flattered by ber condescension, they became confident of their safe have only pretended it for the sake of pleasing I should be sorry not to punish the an But 1 heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight, swered the king; but il it must be so, I choose the treasure.1 thee. But 1 have had sufficient skill to gain forty days, during which time we may easily eseape to Happy Christmas to all.

and to all a goed night. ty; and were delighted with their royal patroness. some other city, and, with the money 1 now pos And you give the thieves a full and free The princess, seeing them completely off their sess, and the aid of my former occupation, we may guard, turned the conversation one evening on won still obtain an honest livelihood I do, -provided 1 hnd my treasure untouched. said Ahmed, if your majesty will me, the treasure shall be restored to derful occurences; and after each bad related his 'An honest livelihood. repeated bis lady, with story, said, I will now recount to you some events scorn.

'Will thy cobbling, thou mean, spiritless in my own life, which you will, I think, deem AHMED THE COBBLER. In the great city of Isfahan lived Ahmed the Cobbler, an- honest and industrious man, whrsse wish was to pass through life quietly; and he might done so. had he not mariiod a handsome wife. wretch! ever enable me to go to the Hemmam more extraordinary than any you have ever The king and all his nobles followed the cobbler to the ruins ef the otd Hemmam. There, casting his eyes toward heaven, Ahmed muttered some sounds which were supposed by the spectators to like the wife of the chief astrologei Hear me, 1 he princess now, assuming an air of dignity said to the first who spoke, You, I perceive, are an admirer of the ladies; to the second, Yo are an epicure; and then turning io run rt.iitf, who was already pale with fright, 'You, my friend, have the emerald in your possession.

You have betrayed yourself, and nothing but an immediate confession can save your life, I he guilty man countenance removed all doubt; and when the princes renewed her assurances of safety, he threw himself at her feet, acknowledged his offence and gave her the which be carried concealed about him. The prill' cess rose, went to her husband, and said, There, Ahmed, what do you think of the success of my calculations? She then related the whole circumstance, and bade him carry the jewel to her father; adding, I trust be will feel a greater admiration than ever for my husband, the wonderful astrolo- i Ahmed took the emerald in silent and went with itjto the king, of whom he requested a private audience. On iu being granted, he presented the emerald. The king, dazzled by its brilliancy and size, loaded bis son-in-law with the most extravagant praises, extolling him as supe 1 am my fathers only child, and nave therefore Ahmed! think only of discovering the king's trea who, although she had condescended to accept ef been a favourite from my birth. 1 was brought up in the belief that I could whatever this world can afford; and was taught that unbounded sure.

Thou ht just as good a chance of doing so as thou hadst of finding the ruby, and the necklace and ear-rings. At all events, I am determined that be magical conjurations, but which were In reality the prayers and thanksgivings of a sincere and pious heart to God, for his wonderful deliverance. When bis prayer was finished, he pointed to the southern wall, aud requested that his majesty would order bis attendants to dig theie. Tbe work was hardly liberality was the mat and most princely ot virtues. I early resolved to surpass every former example thou sbalt not escape; and shouldst thou attempt te ray ot nope is line a ray trom heaven to the wretched, he ran to his couch and there, to his joy- and wonder, found the ruby in the very place described.

He came back to Ahmed, embraced him, called him his dearest friend and the preserver of his life, gave him the two hundred pieces of gold, declaring that he was the first astrologer of the age. Tliese praises conveyed no joy to the poor cobbler, who returned home more thankful to Uod for his preservation then elated by his good fortune. The moment he entered the door, bis wife ran up to him, and exctaiuiod, Well my dear astrologer I what There (said Ahmed very gravely) there are two hundred pieces ol gold: 1 hope you will be satisfied now, and not Csk me again to hazard my life, as I have done this He then related all that had passed. But the recital made a very dilferent impression on the lady from what these occurrences had made on Ahmed. Siflara saw nothing but the gold, which would enable her to with the chief astrologer's wife at the Hemmam.

Courage! (said she) courage my dearest husband. This is only your first labour iu your new and noble profession. Go on, aud prosper; and we shall become rich and In y.iin Ahmed remonstrated and represented the danger; she burst into tears, and accused him of not luring her, ending with her usual threat of insisting upon a divorce. run away, I will inform the king i officers, and have of generosity. I thought my power of doing good, and making everybody happy, was as unlimited as thee taken up and put to death, even before the forty days are expired.

Thou knowest me too well, my wish to do so; and I eould not conceive the ex begun, when the wtiole foity chests were found in the same state as when stolen, with the treasurer's Ahmed, to daunt my keeping my wuid. So take istence of misery beyond my power to relieve. courage, and endeavour to make thy fortune, and seal upon them, still unbroked to place me in that rank of lite to which my beauty The king's joy knew no bounds; he embraced entities When I was eighteen; I was betrothed to my cousin, a young priuoe, who excelled all others in beauty of person and nobleness of mind; and I fancied myself at the summit of happiness. It chanced, I oh ever, that on the morning of my Ahmed, and immediately appointed him his chief The poor cobbler was dismayed at this speech: astrologer, assigned to him an apartment in the palace, and declared that he should marry his only cut knowing lucre was no hope of changing his wile resolution, ne resigned Mmsell to his rate. nuptials I went to walk In a garden near the palace.

rior to any astrploger, who had ever been seen in the world. Poor Ahmed, conscious bnw little he deserved seen praise, threw himself at the king's feet, and begged that he might be allowed to speak the truth, as he was readier to die than to 'your will shall be obeyed: All where 1 had been accustomed to spend some hours daily frbm my childhood. Tbe old gardener, with whose cheerfulness I had often been amused, met daughter, as it was his duty to promote the man whom God had so singularly favoured; aud bad made instrumental in restoring tbe treasures of his kingdom. The young princess, who was more beautiful than the tnoou, was not dissatisfied with desire is to pass the few remaining days of my life as comfortably as I can. You know I am no scho lar and have little skill in reckoning, so there are forty dates: give me one of them every night after me.

aeeing him look very miserable, 1 asked bun what was the matter? He evaded a direct answer; him as a husband, was lar from being contented with his humble sphere of life. Sittara, such was the name of Ahmed's wife, was ever forming foolish schemes of riches and grandeur; and though Ahmed never encouraged them, he was too fond ahusbind to quarrel with what gave her pleasure: an incredulous smile or a shake of the head, was his only answer to- her Dften-lold day-dreams; and she continued to persuade herself, that she was certainly destined to great fortune. I happened one evening, while in this (eruper Of mind, that she went to the Hemmam, where she saw a lady retiring dressed in a magnificent robe, covered with jewels, and surrounded by Slaves. This was the very condition Sittara had always longed for, and she eagerly enquired the name of the happy person, who had so many attendants and such fine jewels. She learned it was the wife of the chief astrologer to the king.

With this information she returned home. Her husband met her at the door, but was received with a frown; nor could all his caresses obtain a smile or a word; for several hours she continued silent, and in apparent misery; at length she said: Ceas-. your caresses; unless yon are ready to give me a proof that you do really and sincerely tove me. What proof ol love, exc.aimed poor Ahmed, can you desire, which I will not giver' Give over cobbling; it is a vile, low trade, and nevef yields more than ten or twelve dinars a day. Turn astrologer; your fortune will bo made, -and i hall have all I wish, and be cried Ahmed, astrologer! Have ber father's choice; for her mind was stored with religion and virtue, and she had learnt to value be continue imposing on his majesty's goodness.

You impose on said the king, that is impossible. Did you not recover my treasure? Have you not brought me this True, said Ahmed, I bave done but without possessing that sciffice for which-1 Ahmed heart melted, and he agreed to make I have said my prayers, that I may put ttim in ajar, but I insisted upon his disclosing the cause of his grief, declaring at this same time my determination to remove and by counting them, may always see hoi? many yond all earthly qualities that piety and learning another tnaL Accordingly, next morning he sallied forthwith his astrolabe, bis twelve signs of the zo ol the tew days i nave to lire are gone. The lady, 'pleased at carrying her took diac, and his almanack, exclaiming, as before, I Yon cannot relieve me; said the old man with which sue believed Ahmed to possess. I he royal was carried into execution as soon as formed-. The wnsct of fortune had taken a complete turn.

The niomini had found Ahmed in a wretched ho the dates, and promised to bo punctual in doing a deep sigh: it is sut of your power, my beloved have gained a He than told bis history from first to last with perfect sincerity. The king showed great displeasure whife listening to" his earlier adventures, but when Ahmed related the am an astrologer: I know the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can foretell every thing princess, to beat the wound of which I am what her husband itesired. Meanwhile the thieves who had stolen the kings vel, rising from a sorry bed, in the expectation of my pride was roused, and 1 exclaimed, I treasure, having been kept from leaving the city by swear story of ihe emerald, intermingling his tale with. that is to happen A crowd again gathered round him: but it was now with wonder, and not ridicule: tear ol detection ana pursuit, had received accurate Do not swear! said the gardener seizing my torrent expressions of admiration for tbe wonderful wisdom and virtue of the princess, be beard band. I do I repeated, (irritated by the opposi for the story of the ruby had gone abroad, and the voice of fame had converted the poor cobbler Ahmed into the ablest and most learned astroh.j(er that was ever seen at Isfahan.

information of every measure taken to discover them. One of them was among the crowd before the palace oil the day the king sent fur Ahmed; and hearing that, the cobbler had immediately declared In iu with delight. After be had finished, the king summoned his vizier and chief counsellors, and tion). I will stop at nothing to make you happy; and I further swear, that I will not Iravethis spot desired that bis daughter also might attend, and losing his life: in the evening he was the lord ot a rich palace, and married tq the only daughter of a powerful king. But this change did not alter his character.

As he had been meek and humble in adversity, be was modest and gentle in prosperity. Conscious of his own ignorance, he continued to ascribe his good fortune solely to the favour of Providence. He became daily mora attached te the beautiful and virtuous Princess whom he had married; and he could not help contrasting ber character with that of his former wife, whom he had While every body Waft gazing at him, a lady their exact number, lie ran in a right to his com when they were all he spake as follows: until you reveal the grief which preys upon rades, and exclaimed, aie all found out! Ihe old man seeing my resolution, spake with passed by veiled. She was the wife of one of the richest merchants in the rity, find-had just been at the lli'inmam, where she hud lost a valuable neck Ahmed, the new astrologer; has told the king that there are forty of us? tremulous emotion as follows: Princess, you know not what you bave done. Behold a man ho has dared for these two years to look upon you with There needed no astrologer to tell Said the lace and ear-rings.

She was how returning home in grett alarm, lest her husband should suspect her of having given her jewels to a lover. Seeing tb" an eye ot admiration; his love has at length reach teased to love, and of whose unreasonable and unfeeling vanity he was now fully sensible. ed sucb a pitch, that without Vau be must be As Ahmed did not return to his hftoSe, Sitlara Daughter, I have learnt the history Of thy husband from his own I have also heard much in confirmation of the belief I have long entertained, that thy knowledge and goodness are even greater than Ihy beauty. They prove that thou wert born to rule; and I only obey the will of Heaven, and consult ihe happiness of my people, when I resign my power into thy hands, being resolved to seek that repose which my declining years require. As to thy cmtband, thou wilt dispose of him as it pleases thee, ftfs.ffirth, I always knew, was low, but I thought that hi wisdom and learning raised hira to a level with the highest rank; these, it now appears, he does not possess.

If thou deemest his sllisnce a wretched forever; and unless you consent to meet him in the garden to-night, aud become his bride captain ol the gang, 'this Ahmed, with all his simple good Mature, is a shrewd fellow. Forty chests having been stolen, he naturally guessed that there must be forty thieves, and he ae made a good hit, that is all: still it is prudent to watch him, for he certainly has made soma strange discoveries. One of us must eo to-urght. afierdark, to the terrace instead of that of tne piince, he must die. shocked by this unforeseen declaration, and only heard of his elevation from common rumour.

She saw with de. pair that her wishes for bis ad-! vancement had been mere than accomplished, but that nil her own desires had been etitiiely frustrated. Her husband was chief astrologer the very situation she bad set her heart on; he was rich enough trembling at the thought of my oath, I tried to rea of this cobbler's house, and listen to his conversation son with the old and offered him all the wealth I possessed. I told you, he replied, beau with his handsome wife; for he is said to be very fond Ol her, and will.no doubt, tell her what suc to enable his wife to surpass all the ladies of tiful princess, that you coirld not make me happy cess he, has had in his endeavours lo detect crowd around Ahmed, she asked the reason of their assembling, and was informed of the whole story of the fnmous astrologer: how he hacl been a cobbler, was inspired with supernatural knowledge, and could with the help of his astrolabe, his twelve Signs of the zodiac, and his almanack, discover all that ever had, or ever would happen in the world. The story of the jeweller aud the king's ruby was then told her, accompanied by a thousand wonderful circumstances which had never occurred.

The lady, quite satisfied of his skill, went up to Ahmed, and mentioned her loss; saying, A man of your knowledge and penetration will easily discover my jewels: find theuiaod I will give you fitly pieces of The poor cobbler was quite confounded, arid look-e 1 down, thinking only how to escape without a Islahan. in the number of ber alaves, and the I endeavoured to prevent your fash vow; and uoth-ing but that should hare drawn from me the secret Every body approved of this scheme; and soon finery of her clothes and jewels, whenever disgrace, divorce him. If, on the other hand, thou art willing to keep' fiTm as thy husband, do so, and give him such share as" thou ihinksst fit in tbe au uf my heart. Death, I know, is my fate; for I csn- after night-fall, one of the thieves repaired to the ten-see. He arrived there just as the cobbler had fiuishod hie evening prayers, aud his wife was giv she went to the Hemmam: but he had married a princess; and his former wife, according to custom, was banished from his house, and condemned to sot five and tee you the wife of another.

Leave you forgotten wuo 1 am a coooier, wiuioui any learning that you want roe to engage in a profession which requires so much skill and 1 neither think nor care about your said the enraged wife: all I know is, that if you do not turn astrologer immediately, 1 will be divorced from you The cobbler remonstrated, but in vain. The figure of the astrologer's wife, with her jewels and her slaves, had taken complete possession of Sit-tara's imagination. All night it haunted her; she dreamt of nothing else, and on awakening declared she would leave the house, if her husband did not comply with her wishes. What could poor Ahmed do? he was no astrologer) but he was do-tingly fond of his wife, aud be could not bear the idea of losing her. He promised to obey; and having sold his little stock, bought an astrolabe, an astronomical almanac, and a table of the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Furnished with these, he went to the market-place, crying 1 am an astrologer! i know the sun, and the moon, aud the stars, and the twelve signs of the zodiac; I can calculate nativities; I can foretell every thing that is to happen! man was better known than Ahmed the Cobbler. A crowd soon gathered round him. What, friend said one, have you wbrked till vonr head is 'Are you tired of looking thority which I now corKmh to The princess knelt to kiss her father's hand, and me to die. Go to your husband; go to enjoy ing him the first date. said Ahmed, as he live on whatever pittance she might receive from a ment of your pomp and riches; but never again pretend to the exercise ofat.ower which depends upon took it, there is one of the forty.

man whose love and esteem she had loi ever tor- answered, May my father's life and regn be prolonged for his daughter's htppiness, and for that of his subjects I I am a weak woman, altogether unequal to the task which his loo fond love would imrote The thief, hearing these words, hastened, in con ted. hese tliouehts distracted her mind: her sternation, fo the gang, and told them that the mo envy was excited by the accounts she daily heard of ment he took his post, he had been perceived bv the Ahmed a happiness, and of the beauty ol the piiu-cess; and she now became anxious only for his destruction, looking on hnn as the sole cause of her supernatural knowledge of Ahmed, who immediately told his wife that one of them was there. The spy's tale was not believed by bis hardened com a thousand circumstances that no human being can regulate or This speech conveyed a better reproach. I would have sacrificed my life a hundred times, sooner than stain my honour by marrying this man; but I had made a vow in ihe face of Heaven, and to break it seemed sacrilege. Besides, I earnestly wished to die undeceived in my favourite notion, that I could make all who came near me haunv.

on me. If my humble counsel is listened to, my father will continue te govern his people, whose gratitude and vest oration will ike obedience light and rul easy. As to Ahmed, I love and esteem him; be is" sensible, sincere, and pious, and I dei-fli myself fortunate in having for my husband a man disappointment. An opportunity of indulging her revengeful feel ings as not long wanting. The king of t'etitmo had sent an emerald of extraordinary sire and bril so peculiarly favoured and protected by heaven.

What, my dear father, are high tank or brilliant ta" Under ths strurgle of these different feelings, I toid liancy as a present to the king of Irak. It was carefully enclosed in a box, to which there were tne gardener his desire should be granted, and mat puuuc exposure oi nis ignorance. ine rauy, in passing through the crowd, had torn the part of her veil. Ahmed's downcast eyes noticed this, and wishing to infotm her of it in a delicate manner, before it was observed by others, he whispered to her Lady, look down at the rent." The lady's head was full of her loss, and she was at that moment endeavouring to recollect how it could have occutred. Ahmed's speech brought it at once to her mind and she exclaimed in delighted surprise Stay here a few moments, thou great astrologer.

I will return immediately with the reward thou so well Saying this, she left him, and soon returned, carrying in one hand the necklace, and ear-rings, and in the other, purse with fifty pieces of gold. There is gold for she said, thou wonderful man! to whom all the secrets of nature are reveafed. I had quit? forgotten where I laid the jewels, and without thee should neverhave found them. But when thon desiredst me to look at the rent below, I instantly recollected the rent down at your last, cried another, 'that you are now panions; something was imputed to his fears; he might have been mistaken; in ehort, it was determined to send two men the next night at the sain A hour. They reached the house just as Ahmed, having finished his prayers, had received the second date, and heard hull exclaim, My dear night there are two of The astonished thieves fled, and told their still incredulous comrades what they had heard.

Three men were consequently sent the third night, four the fourth, and so on. Being afraid of venturing during the day, they always came as evening closed in, and just as Ahmed was receiving his date: hence they all in turn heard him say that which convinced them he was aware of their presence. three Itevs, and one of them was given in cnarge to each of the three confidential seivauts employed to convey it. When they reached Isfahan, the box was opened, but the emerald was gone. Nothing could exceed therr consternation; each accused the other: as the lock was not broken, it was evident lent without religion aud virtue? They are as plants which bear gaudy blossoms, but yield no fruit.

The king was delighted with his daughter's wis-' doui and affection. Your he said, my beloved daughter, shsll be followed. I will eontt nue to govern my kingdom, while you and All mod snntf assist me with your The good cobbler was soon afterwards nominated vizier; and the same virtue and pity, which had obtained him respect in the humblest sphere of life. one of them must be the thief. They consulted what was to be done: to conceal what had happen I would be in the garden an hour before midnight.

After tnis assurance I went away, resolved in my own mind not to outlive the di'graee re which I bad doomed mvseif. I passed the day the deepest melancholy. A little before midnight 1 contrived to dismiss my attendants, and arrajed in my bridal apparel, which was covered wilb, the richest jewels, I went towards the garden. I bad not proceeded many yards; when I was met by a thief, who, seizing me, said, 'Let me strip you, madam, of thesa unnecessary ornaments: If you make tbe least noise, instant death awaits you! In state of my mind such threats frightened rue little. I wished'to die, but I wished before I died, to fulfil my vow.

I told my story to the thief, beseeching him te ret me pass, and pladg- ed was impossible; the very attempt would have brought death on them all. It was resolved, there- looking up at tne planets mere nuu uiiu other jokes assailed the ears of the poor cobbler, who, notwithstanding, continued to exclaim that he was an astrologer, having resolved on doing what he could to please his beautiful wife. It eo happened that the king's jeweller was passing by. He wasin great distress, having lost the richest ruby belonging to the crown. Every search had been made to recover this inestimable jewel, but to no purpose; and as the jeveller knew he eould no longer conceal its loss from the king, he looked forward to death as inevitable.

In this hopeless state, while wandering about the town, be reached the crowd around Ahmad, and asked (in the last night they all went, and Ahmed ex caused bim to beloved and esteemed in the high sta I mrs, 10 lay ine wnoie matter beiore tne King, anu claimed The number is complete! To-night beg that by bis great wisdom he would detect the tion to wnicn ds was eievairu. The designs of Sittara ware discovered, but her' near the bottom of the wall in the bath-room, Lthe whole forty are where, before undressing, I had hid lhan. I can It is very common in the East for the daugh An uouhts were row removed. It was impos sible that Ahmed should have discovered them ters of inonarchs to be married to men eminent for guilt was pardoiied- She was left with a mere subsistence, a prey to dissppointinent; for she ed te the last to sigh lor that tplenjooi she bad now go home in peace and comfort, and it is alt owing to thee, thou wisest of men!" by any natural meawr. How eould he Mcertaia riieir ptcty or learning, however low tlicir oiigin-.