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his business in that place? The Dervis told them he intended to take up his night's lodging in that caravansary. guards let him know, 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 Dervis, asked him how he could possibly be so dull as not to distinguish a palace from a caravansary? "Sir," said the Dervis, 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, "My ancestors." "And who," says the dervis, was the last person that lodged here?" The king replied, "My father." "And who is it," says the dervis, "that lodges here at present?" The king told him that it was he himself. "And who," says the Dervis, "will be here after you?" The king answered, "The young prince, my son." "Ah, sir," said the Dervis, " a house that changes its inhabitants so often, and receives such a perpetual succession of guests, is not a palace, but a caravansary."

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ADDISON.

LIII-A PROMISE IS SACRED.

A SPANISH Cavalier, having assassinated a Moorish gentleman, instantly fled from justice. He was vigorously pursued; but, availing himself of a sudden turn in the road, he leaped unperceived over a garden wall. The proprietor, who was also a Moor, happened to be at that time walking in the garden, and the Spaniard falling upon his knees before him, acquainted him with his case, and, in the most pathetic manner, implored concealment. The Moor listened to him with compassion, and generously promised his assistance. He then locked him up in a summer-house, and left him with the assurance that, when night came, he would provide for his escape. A few hours afterwards, the dead body of his son was brought to him, and the description of the murderer exactly agreed with the appearance of the Spaniard whom he had then in custody. He concealed the horror and suspicion which he felt, and retiring to his chamber, he remained there till midnight. Then going privately into the garden, he opened the door of the summer-house, and thus accosted the cavalier: "Christian, the youth whom you have murdered was my only son. Your crime deserves the severest punish

ment. But I have solemnly pledged my word not to betray you, and I disdain to violate a rash engagement even with a cruel enemy. He then conducted the Spaniard to the stables, and furnishing him with one of his swiftest mules: Flee," said he, "while the darkness of night conceals you. Your hands are polluted with blood; but God is just; and I humbly thank him that my faith is unspotted, and that I have resigned judgment to him." GIBBON.

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LIV.-TOLERATION, A PARABLE AGAINST PERSECUTION. In imitation of Scripture language.

1. AND it came to pass after these things, that Abraham sat in the door of his tent, about the going down of the sun.

2. And behold a man, bowed with age, came from the way of the wilderness, leaning on a staff.

3. And Abraham rose and met him, and said unto him "Turn in, I pray thee, and wash thy feet, and tarry all night, and thou shalt arise early on the morrow, and go on thy way."

4. But the man said: "Nay, for I will abide under this tree."

5. And Abraham pressed him greatly; so he turned and they went into the tent; and Abraham baked unleavened bread, and they did eat.

6. And when Abraham saw that the man blessed not God, he said unto him: "Wherefore dost thou not worship the most high God, Creator of heaven and earth?"

7. And the man answered and said: "I do not worship the God thou speakest of, neither do I call upon his name; for I have made to myself a god, which abideth always in mine house, and provideth me with all things."

8. And Abraham's zeal was kindled against the man, and he arose and drove him forth with blows into the wilderness.

9. And at midnight God called unto Abraham, saying: "Abraham, Abraham, where is the stranger?"

10. And Abraham answered and said: "Lord, he would not worship thee, neither would he call upon thy name, therefore I have driven him out before my face into the wilderness."

11. And God said: "Have I borne with him these

hundred ninety and eight years, and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me; and couldst not thou, that art thyself a sinner, bear with him one night?

12. And Abraham said: "Let not the anger of the Lord wax hot against his servant; lo, I have sinned; forgive me, I pray thee."

13. And Abraham arose, and went forth into the wilderness, and sought diligently for the man, and found him, and returned with him to the tent; and when he had entreated him kindly, he sent him away on the morrow with gifts.

PALEY.

LV.-INTRODUCTION OF ASSEMBLIES IN RUSSIA.

WHEN Catharine the First was made Empress of Russia, the women were in an actual state of bondage: but she undertook to introduce mixed assemblies, as in other parts of Europe; she altered the women's dress by substituting the fashions of England; instead of furs, she brought in the use of taffeta and damask; and cornets and commodes instead of caps of sable. The women now found themselves no longer shut up in separate apartments, but saw company, visited each other, and were present at every entertainment.

But as the laws to this effect were directed to a savage people, it is amusing enough to see the manner in which the ordinances ran. Assemblies were quite unknown among them; the czarina was satisfied with introducing them, for she found it impossible to render them polite. An ordinance was therefore published according to their notions of breeding, which, as it is a curiosity, we shall give our readers.

I. The person at whose house the assembly is to be held, is to signify the same, by hanging out a bill, or by giving some other public notice, by way of advertisement, to persons of both sexes.

II. The assembly shall not be sooner open than four or five o'clock in the afternoon, nor continue longer than ten at night.

III. The master of the house shall not be obliged to meet his guests, or conduct them out, or keep them company; but though he is exempt from all this, he is to find them chairs, candles, liquors, and all other necessaries the company may ask for he is likewise to provide them with cards, dice, and every necessary for gaming.

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IV. There shall be no fixed hour for coming or going away; it is enough for a person to appear in the assembly.

V. Every one shall be free to sit, walk, or game, as he pleases; nor shall any one go about to hinder him, or take exceptions at what he does, upon pain of emptying the great eagle (a pint bowl full of brandy); it shall likewise be sufficient on entering or retiring to salute the company.

VI. Persons of distinction, noblemen, superior officers, merchants and tradesmen of note, head workmen, especially carpenters and persons employed in chancery, are to have liberty to enter the assembly, as likewise their wives and children.

VII. A particular place shall be assigned the footmen, except those of the house, that there may be room enough in the apartments designed for the assembly.

VIII. No ladies are to get drunk upon any pretence whatever; nor shall gentlemen be drunk before nine.

IX. Ladies who play at forfeitures, questions and commands, &c., shall not be riotous; and no person shall offer to strike a woman in the assembly, under pain of future exclusion. GOLDSMITH.

LVI.-FRIGHTENED TO DEATH.

A VERY rich foreigner, named Sunderland, formerly a banker in Russia, was high in favor with the Queen. Early one morning he was informed that his house was surrounded by a guard, and that the commandant of the police desired to speak with him. This officer, named Relieu, entered with a sorrowful countenance. "Sir," said he, "I am grieved to have been charged, by my gracious sovereign, with the execution of an order extremely severe, and I am ignorant by what means you have excited, to such a degree, the resentment of Her Majesty." "I am as ignorant as yourself. My astonishment surpasses yours. But what are your orders?" "Sir, I have hardly the courage to tell "" you. "What! have I lost the confidence of the Empress ?" "If that was all, I should not be so loth to acquaint you with it." "Well! does she intend to send me to my own country?" "That would be no severe punishment, since with your wealth you could live well any where." "Alas! she has then banished me to Siberia." "No! worse even than that." "Good God! am I to be knouted?" "That would be terrible, but would not destroy

life." "Is it possible," said the banker, groaning, "that my life is to be sacrificed? The mild, gracious Empress, who accosted me but two days since so kindly, can she?..... but I will not believe it. For Heaven's sake tell me at once, unless you wish to drive me mad." "Well, then," said the officer, mournfully, "my sovereign has ordered me to flay you, and stuff your skin with straw.' "Merciful God! you must have lost your reason, or the Queen has lost hers. You surely could not have received such an order without protesting against the barbarity?" "Alas, my poor friend, I did all that I dared: I expressed surprise and horror; I even ventured most humble remonstrances; but the Empress, irritated, reproached me for my hesitation, and commanded me to go instantly, adding the following words, which yet ring in my ears: "Go instantly, and forget not that it is your duty to perform, without delay, any commission with which I may deign to charge you." It would be impossible to depict the astonishment, the rage, and the despair of the poor banker. After abandoning himself for some moments to excessive grief, he was told by the officer that half an hour only would be granted him, to put his affairs in order. Then Sunderland besought that he might be allowed to write to the Queen; and Relieu, after much entreaty, finally consented to carry a note. Having received it, he went out, but not daring to appear before his sovereign with her commands unaccomplished, he proceeded hastily to Count Bruce his friend. The latter was much amazed at the whole recital, but promised to go at once to the Empress. Catherine received the letter, read it, and exclaimed, "Just Heaven! Surely Relieu has lost his senses! Run, Count, and order that fool to free my banker forthwith from his fright, and place him at liberty." The Count hastened to execute the order, returned, and found Catherine convulsed with laughter. "I have at length discovered," said she, "the cause of a scene as ludicrous as it is extraordinary. I have had, for many years past, a little dog, which was a great favorite, and whom I named Sunderland, as my banker presented it to me. This dog died last week. I just ordered Relieu to have it stuffed with straw; and, as he hesitated, I grew angry, supposing that, by a foolish pride, he considered such a thing beneath his dignity. He misunderstood me, the stupid fellow. Stuff my poor banker! Is it not too ridiculous?"

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