in the eye of his fancy. Enemy of our race,' said they, where is he who was to redeem our glory, and to revenge our blood? Where 'is Ahubal, of whom the dark saying went forth, that none but our race could over

power him? The dark saying is now interpreted by thy shameful deed, and the powers ' of enchantment are at an end!'

The giant, disturbed at his vision, started up: the moon rode high above the mountains, and the trees of the forest looked broad with the shades of night. He cast his black eyes to the south, and saw the storm rolling forth its clouds: the tempest gathered around him, and poured its fury against him. His long disordered locks streamed out like the shattered canvas of the shipwrecked vessel. The lofty pines rolled down the rocky precipices, and the fragments of the mountains tumbled in wild confusion at his feet.

The eye-balls of Kifri, inflamed with anger and despair, appeared like two meteors in the storm; he viewed the war of elements with contempt, and mocked Alla and Mahomet aloud, and said- Is this the God of nature's work? is he angry with the bauble he has 'made? has he given his parsimonious drops

doms, began to administer impartial justice to his subjects; and although the faith of Horam had been often tried, yet Misnar chose not to rely altogether on any but himself.

'Vizir,' said the sultan as Horam was standing before him, are my people happy? it is for them I rule, and not for myself: and though I take pleasure in punishing the licentious and rebellious, yet shall I ever study to gain the hearts of my obedient subjects; a father's frown may restrain his children, but his smile can only bless them. Dost not thou remember, Horam, the story of 'Mahoud, the son of the jeweller? And how ' am I sure, but even now private malice may be wreaking as great cruelty upon 'some innocent person, as the princess Hem'junah suffered from the enchanter Ben'naskar!' 'My prince,' answered the vizir, the toils and the dangers of the war have 6 never for a moment driven from my mind the memory of that princess, who, with 'Mahoud, underwent the most odious trans'formation through the power of Ulin.'

6

Nor have I,' answered the sultan, 'for

I got their distress, but the cares of empire have hitherto prevented my search after

them: as to the princess, she is possibly ' with her father at Cassimir, but Mahoud is 'doubtless an inhabitant of Delly, where he lived before his transformation; therefore, 'O vizir! give immediate orders, that the respective cadies of each division of the city, 'who have the numbers and the names of every ' inhabitant within their district, be questioned 'concerning this jeweller's son; and let him 'to-morrow be brought before me.'

The vizir Horam did as he was commanded, and sent for all the cadies of the city, and examined them concerning Mahoud, but no one could give any account of him. The next morning Horam attended the divan, and acquainted the sultan with his fruitless search. The sultan was much dissatisfied at the vizir's report; and after he had answered the petitioners and dismissed them, he sent again for his favourite vizir.

'Horam,' said the sultan, my cadies are ' remiss in their duty, Mahoud is certainly hid in my city: all is not right, Horam; the poor son of the jeweller would be proud 'to own that he was formerly the companion of the sultan of the Indies, though in his

distress; he had long ere this been at the

foot of my throne, did not something prevent 'him.' 'Prince of my life,' answered the vizir, if Mahoud is in this city, he is doubt'less disguised, and has reasons to conceal

himself; and how shall thy officers of justice discover, among many millions, one obscure person who is studious to conceal himself?"

In a well-regulated city,' answered the sultan, every one is known; and sound policy has always invented such distinctions as may prevent the disguise of designing and wicked men. The man who cannot give a just account of himself is an enemy to

society; and it is no infringement on the 'freedom of the honest to oblige them, by their dress and appearance, to shew forth their manner of life. They only need to 'conceal their actions, who are ashamed of 'their deeds, and it behoves the magistrate Ito place such in the sight of all men.

Secresy and retirement are the handmaids of sin; and the prince who would prevent 'both private and public wrongs, should study to fix a mark of distinction on all his subjects; for villany loves the mask of hypocrisy, ⚫ and evil-minded men affect the appearance of the sanctified. But till my capital is