journey, and travelled several days without meeting any adventure,

As they were traversing the province of Kousistan, they arrived at a little village, where they proposed to pass the night. It was a day of festivity; on entering the village they observed a number of rustic children walking, conducted by a schoolmaster of a very shabby appearance, and who, with his eyes bent to the ground, seemed wrapped in thought. On approaching and examining his features, what was their surprise? It was Omir, their brother, whom they embraced. "What, my friend," exclaimed Bekir, "Oh, is it thus genius is recompenced!" "You see," replied Omir, " valour meets with much the same reward; but the philosopher finds great subject for reflection, and that is some consolation." Saying this, he conducted the children home to their parents, and then led Bekir and Mesrou into his little cottage, and prepared with his own hands some rice for their supper; and after having listened to his brothers' adventures, he related his own in the following words:

The genius Abzim, who I very much suspect to delight in mischief, advised me to seek this yet unfound Bathmendi among the wits and beauties, in the splendid city of Agra. I arrived there, and before I made myself known I wished to complete a work that might make me enter the literary world with eclat. At the end of a month my book appeared, it was a complete description of all human sciences, in a little volume, in 18mo, of sixty pages, divided into chapters; each chapter contained a tale, and each tale taught a science.

Some

My work met with prodigious success. critics, indeed, chose to say it was rather tedious, but all the first people purchased it, and this consoled me for what they had pleased to advance. I was sought after, and invited by all who thought themselves learned; all I did was admirable; none was spoken of but Omir; I was courted by every body; and the favourite Sultana wrote me a note, without orthography, to beg I would visit the court.

Courage, thought I; Abzim has not deceived me, my fame is at its height, I will support myself by means more secure than intrigue; I will please, I will charm, and I shall find Bath- || mendi.

I met with a very gracious reception in the palace of the Great Mogul; the favourite Sultana publicly declared herself my protectress, presented me to the Emperor, desired me to write verses, gave me a pension, admitted me to her supper parties, and swore to me a hundred times a day sentiments of friendship. On my side, I devoted my heart to unbounded gratitude,

and promised to consecrate my days to sing and celebrate my benefactress. I composed a poem in her praise, in which the sun was but a false gem compared to her eyes; where the ivory, the coral, the finest pearls were nothing beside her face, her lips, and her teeth. These crafty and delicate praises ensured me her support.

I fancied I almost beheld Bathmendi, when my protectress quarrelled with the Vizir, because he refused to give the government of a province to the son of her confectioner. Enraged at his audacity she asked the Emperor to banish the insolent minister, but the Emperor esteemed his Vizir, and refused his favourite. Then it was necessary to form a regular plan of intrigue to overthrow the Vizir. I was of the plot, and received orders to compose an acrimonious satyr. It is not difficult to write a satire, mine was soon completed, and tolerably good; it was read with avidity, which is always the case.

The Vizir soon discovered the author, he sought the favourite, presented her the government he had refused, and an order to receive a hundred thousand dariques from the Royal treasury; and for all this only asked her permission to condemn me to a death by hunger in a dungeon. It is a trifle, answered the favourite, I am too happy in being able to oblige you. I will, if you wish, immediately send for that insolent wretch, who has dared to insult you, notwithstanding my express orders to the contrary, and I will deliver him into your hands." Happily a slave who was present came and apprized me of my danger, I had only time to escape. Since that period I have traversed Indostan, scarcely gaining a subsistence by writing romances and verses for booksellers, who cheated me, and were more severe on my talents than their own consciences, and even would not allow that my style possessed merit; when I had money, my writings were sublime, no sooner was I in poverty, than I wrote nothing but nonsense. At last, disgusted and tired of enlightening the world, I have preferred teaching peasants to read; I established myself in this village, where I eat brown-bread without any hope of finding Bathmendi.

Leaving it, and returning with us to our native village depends entirely upon you," said Mesrou, "where some diamonds I take with me will ensure ease and comfort." They easily prevailed on Omir to accompany them, and the next day the three brothers left the village, and took the road of Kousistan.

After journeying for a few days they approached the habitation of Selim: the idea of seeing him gave them hope, but that hope was not unmixed with fear.

"Shall we find our brother, we left him very

SIR ROBERT

Sir

the father of the present was a man of mean birth, mean fortune, and a still meaner soul; being successful, however, in his trade, he amassed immense wealth. His former meanness was now forgotten; he purchased a baronetage, and to give it greater weight, a borough. His services to the ministry rendered him a favourite at court; and he now acted that part of servility in a more splendid scene which he had formerly exhibited in his shop. The most singular trait in his character was a péculiar shrewdness of remark; and I remember one of his maxims, which is still repeated with praise, "Nothing is lost," he would say, "in the purchase of promotion, by general flattery, the only current coin of courts: it is buying a commodity with bad money; the seller is indeed a dupe, but the buyer is certainly a gainer." With this species of Scotch morality, it is no reasonable subject of surprise that Sir Robert was the favourite of a court.

There was something, however, still wanting to Sir Robert. His baronetage, his seat in parliament, and his court favour had indeed advanced his consequence. He had been appointed chairman of many petty societies; and where the business was not of too great importance, had appeared in the list of a Select Committee. He had ventured to propose several new turnpikes; and, to the astonishment of his warmest friends, once defended the utility of a navigable canal, even in a full house. Something, however, was still wanting to inspire him with greater confidence. His former occupation, in a low and menial trade, was not so wholly forgotten, but that the rival candidate of his borough interest would sometimes recall it to his memory; he was even fearful of giving his silent age with too much warmth of gesture, lest the Opposition should level a jest at so respectable an associate of their adversaries.

To guard against these inconveniences, nothing could be fully effectual but to increase his consequence to a point which must awe them to respect. He had recourse to the usual means-a matrimonial alliance. His friends procured hin a wife to his wishes, one who as heartily despised him as she loved his wealth. Sir Robert, however, according to his own expression, was here even with her; for he hated her person as much as he admired her quality. This mutual

hatred and mutual attachment, however, are the usual foundation of a fashionable union; Sir Robert therefore received the hand of the lady as the patent of a new title. The present Sir was the only issue of this marriage; and became so strong a cement, that the subsequent affection of Sir Robert and his Lady could only be equalled by their former contempt-an effect of matrimony more usual than credible.

Sir Robert was resolved that his son should enjoy those advantages of which the narrow circumstances of his early life had deprived himself. "I tremble," said Sir Robert, "when I rise to propose a turnpike; but it shall not be so with my son, he shall propose a budget without a blush. I hesitate when I fix a parish-rate; it shall not be so with my son, he shall tax a nation with a confidence as unblushing as the Premier himself; he shall stand unmoved amidst contending benches, and command order with the dignity and authority of the Chair himself." Such were the resolutions of Sir Robert, and such his rule of education for his only son and heir.

Nor was the care of the lady less occupied upon the future figure of her son. About a year before her union with Sir Robert, she had been addressed by a libertine of fashion; but as her lover had started a better fortune, he had not hesitated to desert his former pursuit, and hunt his new game. He had married this his second mistress but a few months before the lady herself accepted the hand of Sir Robert; and it was to resentment of this infidelity, perhaps, that Sir Robert owed the rapid success of his solicitation. She had not as yet forgotten this injury, and the first wish of her heart was revenge upon her faithless lover. I relate these circumstances, because they are necessary to the narrative, and will furnish a singular example as well of the permanence, as of the long reach and persevering progress of female vengeance. In one word, the lady was resolved to employ her son as the instrument of her revenge upon her lover, and determined to educate him upon a system suited to this purpose.

His

"The manly and regular features of my son," said she, "resemble those of my lover. manners and accomplishments shall have the same similitude. He shall be the same seductive libertine, have the same brilliancy of fashion, contempt of morals, and gay indifference to every

thing which the more vulgar part of his species esteem of importance; by this means will he become an effectual means of my vengeance. The daughters of my lover shall be his first attempt; he shall return upon them the injury 1 have received from their father; my vengeance may perhaps still be complete. The wife of my perjured lover may be the victim of my son's seduction. Glorious vengeance! I will hesitate no longer!"

Such was the purpose of this lady in the education of her son; and so lively and durable was her resolution, that she persevered in this system from the earliest years of her son's youth to the final accomplishment of her purpose. Such was the origin of the character of Sir -; and you will find the harvest has not disappointed the hopes of the cultivators.

At the proper age he was sent to Westminster School; his father and mother very properly considered this as the menage of his future life and character. They did not fail, therefore, to accompany their adieus upon his departure with suitable advice.

"Remember boy," said Sir Robert," the sole end of your life is promotion, and that of your education the talents to attain it. Be it your's therefore, to acquire these means of your elevation—a never-blushing confidence and a command of face. Be it your's to obtain that constancy of purpose, that obstinacy of resolution, that the hiss of the united nation shall in vain assail your resolved mind. Remember that worth is utility with another name."

ment.

With such advice was the young Sirdismissed to the scene of a public school; nor was it long before he began to fulfil the hopes of his parents: his expences were so far beyond his allowance, that it became necessary to double the original appointment: every post brought a complaint of the irregularity and contempt of discipline of the young Sir The father began at length to be somewhat alarmed; but as

the vacation approached, he waited with patience to judge with his own eyes. The young Sir

at length arrived; his voice was manly, his air confident, and his deportment haughty. Sir Robert was satisfied. "This boy will do," exclaimed he; "he will not blush at an Income tax !"

Sir Robert, upon this reflection, embraced him with new rapture; and as he threw his eyes upon his features, already fancied himself in the presence of a future Premier. Nor did the mother regard him with less interest or less satis faction: his person was well composed, and his features marked with the characters of manliness; his conversation was not without gaiety; in one word, his whole air was that of a youthful libertine. His mother could scarcely contain her rapture as she made this observation.

Having thus run his course through Westminster, he was sent to college for the finish of his education. His talents, and the happiness of his nature, were equally conspicuous upon this as upon his former stage; his faine was soon spread through the University; and the heart of his mother beat with rapture when she found him to have become a too fashionable libertine for the sobriety of collegiate discipline. An allowance liberal to excess at once excited and gratified his most turbulent passions. The gay propensities of his nature were still further encouraged by the praises and example of his companions: it was true that his irregularities would sometimes reach the ear of his tutor; but as Sir

drank claret, the tutor had the prudence to overlook any deficiency in his conduct, in the redundance of his table. The young Sir, indeed, would sometimes conceal a mistress in his chamber; the matter would become whispered in the Hall, and the tutor would pronounce a public remonstrance. A tutor, however, is not a Cato; though the son of Sir Robert, "dando et largiundo," appeared to emulate a Cæsar.

In this manner was performed the collegiate course of the young Sir, and in the same manner, with equal splendor and equal profit, is performed that of a thousand others. His mother no sooner beheld him upon the conclusion of this second act of his education, than she exclaimed in a rapture, that he had exceeded her fondest hopes: she even uttered an apostrophe to the long departed spirit of the bearded Alfred, by whose pious care and munificent protection the collegiate towers had raised their lofty heads. "Let the blockheads who mistake the spirit of these courtly institutions, let them," exclaimed she, "drone away their lives in the pursuit of science; it has been your's, my son, to avail yourself of their real utility: from a constrained