The boy grumbled, but had to be contented with my promise to reward him some other time.

I arrived at aunt's without further interruption. Uncle and aunt and cousins were delighted to see me. I took dinner with them, and after dinner we had some currant-wine, which aunt had made herself, and I got a piece of the cake I had carried, which I put in my pocket to give to my donkey-baby. After dinner uncle sang us that pretty song, "The New-Mown Hay." Soon after dinner was over, aunt said to me:

"Now 'Livy, dear, I don't wish to hurry you, but I think it is time for you to be thinking of going home, else you will not be back in time for tea." Upon this hint I prepared to start.

I heard a good deal said at dinner time about the wonderful things to be seen at the fair. They spoke of the dancing-bear, and the parrots that could "talk like Christians," and the pelicans, that fed their young out of their pouches: and the fat woman weighing I forget how many stone; and the dwarf, a real Tom Thumb; and the mermaid; and the calf with two heads, and the play actors with their merry-andrew; who performed the doleful tragedy of the "Red Barn," with a real ghost all in white. Oh! how delighted I should be to go to the fair! What would I not give to see the fair? I would have given all my little stock of pocket money, amountting to no less a sum than four-pence, which my uncle slipped into my hand when he wished me "Good-bye."

And now I was out of doors again, on my journey home, unburdened with cake or basket.

I skipped, and danced, and ran along the green lane in high glee, until I reached a rise in the road, from whence I could see the distant common covered with booths and shows, and the throngs of people passing to and fro in great confusion.

All along the roads leading to the common, country lads and lasses, in their best Sunday clothes, were wending their way to the fair. I could hear the murmur of their voices, which sounded like the roar of the distant sea, mingled with the piercing sound of a trumpet, the shrill notes of a fife, and the booming of a big drum.

I stood gazing upon this curious scene spell-bound, listening to the strange sounds, when, suddenly, a particularly grand flourish on the trumpet reached my ears. This excited my curiosity greatly. I felt sure it betokened that something very wonderful was going on, and had I not remembered grandmamma's strict injunction not to go near the common, I really think I should have rushed at once to the fair.

But resisting the temptation, I, for this time, overcame it, and proceeded on my way homeward.

Soon, however, I reached a bend in the road which brought me much nearer to the common; so near, indeed, that I could see the flags flying and the great pictures hanging outside the shows, and hear the showmen shouting through their speaking trumpets, "Walk up, walk up! Walk up, ladies and gentlemen! Now's your time, the animals are now going through their wonderful performances. Be in time! be in time! The charge is only three-pence! Remember, ladies and gentlemen, only THREE-PENCE!"

Then I could hear another, who said, "Come along, come along, come! Sweethearts and wives, serving-men and maids, bring your money, and you may see the dismal, doleful tragedy of the Red Barn! Remember, this is the only theatre in England where you can see this dreadful tragedy performed by the very same actors who played it before her Gracious Majesty, at Windsor Castle, on Christmas day last, next to come. To-morrow there will be a change of performance; so come to-day, and see the unfortunate fate of Maria Martin, who was cruelly and barbarously murdered by her lover, and buried in the Red Barn. The performance is now going to commence, and the charge is only three-pence."

My ears drank in every word of this fine speech greedily. I could see, I thought, all this for three-pence, and I held in my hand the four-pence my uncle had given me, and should then have a penny to spare. The temptation was too great to be resisted this time; so, forgetting obedience, duty, everything, I shut my eyes, rushed down the path through a meadow that lay between the road and the common, and never opened them until I ran against the stile.

I was over in a moment, and mingled with the crowd. "Well, 'Livy," said a neighbour, who recognised me, "lost your grandmother? Where's your aunt?

I was too confused to reply, and endeavoured to slip away and escape notice. I soon found my progress stopped by a great crowd opposite a wild-beast show. The front of the caravans was covered with huge paintings, representing lions, tigers, elephants, camels, bears, monkeys, serpents, alligators, various strange birds in gaudy plumage, and a host of curious creatures whose names I did not know, because they were not in the book of Goldsmith's Natural History, which aunt used to read to me.

There was a constant stream of people passing up the steps in front of the show, going to see the animals, and another crowd who

had seen them was coming down. I thought they looked pleased at what they had seen. I looked wistfully at the money I held in my hand, thinking that with it I could purchase admission into this Noah's Ark of wonderful creatures, which were all alive. I had a little Noah's Ark among my toys, but, of course, they were not real animals, but now I had an unexpected opportunity of seeing them alive.

I did not hesitate long, but following closely behind a great fat farmer, who, with his wife and children, was just going up the steps, I soon found myself on the raised platform of the show.

I expected to be asked for my money, so held it ready, and passed in. The people crowding behind me, I was obliged to keep moving, and presently I found myself inside the show, with my money still in my hand, as no one had asked me for it.

Oh! the wonderful things that my eyes beheld! and oh, the strange and frightful noises that met my ears! The lions roared, the hyenas howled, the parrots screamed, and the monkeys chattered. I thought of Daniel in the lions' den, and I trembled lest any of these terrible creatures should get loose, and devour me up for my disobedience, and I trembled to think that I was where I ought not to be.

I wanted to see everything at once, but my attention was soon fixed upon a large cage full of parrots. Such beautiful creatures! I, who had never seen any bird with gayer plumage than a hedgesparrow or a tom-tit, was completely dazzled by the splendid colours of the parrots' plumage, red, blue, yellow, and green, shining like rainbows or jewels.

The next cage was occupied by a lot of monkeys, and their antics seemed to form the chief attraction of the show, for the greatest crowd was gathered in front of their cage.

I felt perfectly bewildered. The crowd, in its eagerness to see the wonderful things, was rather unmannerly. I was jostled right and left by tall awkward men and ungainly women, and my toes were trod upon so often, that I fairly cried with pain. By the people continually crowding in front of me, I was gradually pushed back till I came close against the bars of a cage on the opposite side of the menagerie without being aware of it, but I could still see a little of what was going on in the monkey's cage, above the heads of those. who stood in front of me.

Suddenly, I felt a tug at my bonnet behind. "Be quiet," I exclaimed.

But my bonnet, which was tied under my chin, was pulled harder and harder, hurting me very much, till I thought I should be choked. I could not turn my head, but I screamed out as loud as I was able, when at last my bonnet-strings gave way, and then I could look round to see who it was that had treated me so rudely.

But my indignation soon gave way to terror upon seeing my beautiful bonnet in the paws of a huge brown bear, who had got it between his teeth, tearing it to shreds, seemingly much delighted with his prize. Then a she-bear that occupied the same cage came forward to see what her partner had got in his mouth, evidently with the intention of claiming a share of the precious morsel. A contention soon arose between the bears, during which my poor bonnet disappeared altogether.

My screams and cries soon drew all the people away from the monkey's cage, and one of the keepers also, fearing some accident, hastened to the spot. He soon recognized the state of affairs, and took great pains to soothe me, and console me for the loss of my bonnet. He assured me that the proprietors of the menagerie would give me three and sixpence to buy a new bonnet with, but I was too anxious to escape from the horrid place, where I had been much more frightened than amused, to give heed to his offer of compensation.

"Let me go," I cried. "I want to go home."

"Let the girl go, she's frightened," exclaimed a dozen voices. As no opposition to my going was made, I lost no time in getting out of the crowd into the open air.

I was too much ashamed to pass through the crowd without a bonnet on my head, so, to escape notice, I made the best of my way to the outskirts of the common by getting behind the shows through a passage between them, and so make a circuit of the fair instead of passing through it and meeting every body who knew me.

I soon found myself in a retired place, and sitting down on a log of wood that happened to be lying there, I gave way to my excited feelings, and had a good cry.

I thought my heart would break. How to present myself before aunt and grandmamma I did not know. I had disobeyed them, and the first fruits of my disobedience was the loss of my best bonnet.

It is true, I had an offer from the keeper of the menagerie of three and sixpence to buy another; but how could I be sure that my grandmamma would have been satisfied with such a bargain, supposing I had made it. But I was quite sure of another thing, which was-that she would not be at all pleased to hear of the danger I had incurred in losing my bonnet.

THEY Come! the merry summer months of Beauty, Song, and Flowers;
They come the gladsome months that bring thick leafiness to bowers.
Up, up, my heart! and walk abroad, fling cark and care aside,
Seek silent hills, or rest thyself where peaceful waters glide;
Or, underneath the shadow vast of patriarchal tree,
Scan through its leaves the cloudless sky in rapt tranquillity.

The grass is soft, its velvet touch is grateful to the hand,

And, like the kiss of maiden love, the breeze is sweet and bland;

The daisy and the buttercup are nodding courteously,

It stirs their blood, with kindest love, to bless and welcome thee:
And mark how with thine own thin locks,-they now are silvery gray,—
That blissful breeze is wantoning, and whispering "Be gay!"
There is no cloud that sails along the ocean of yon sky,
But hath its own winged mariners to give it melody:

Thou see'st their glittering fans outspread, all gleaming like red gold,
And, hark! with shrill pipe musical, their merry course they hold.
God bless them all, these little ones, who far above this earth,
Can make a scoff of its mean joys, and vent a nobler mirth.

Fut soft! mine ear upcaught a sound-from yonder wood it came;
The spirit of the dim green glade did breathe his own glad name ;-
Yes, it is he! the hermit bird, that apart from all his kind,
Slow spells his beads monotonous to the soft western wind;
Cuckoo! Cuckoo ! he sings again,-his notes are void of art,
But simplest strains do soonest sound the deep founts of the heart!
Good Lord! it is a gracious boon for thought-crazed wight like me,
To smell again these summer flowers beneath this summer tree!
To suck once more in every breath their little souls away,
And feed my fancy with fond dreams of youth's bright summer day,
When, rushing forth like untamed colt, the reckless truant boy
Wandered through green woods all day long, a mighty heart of joy!
I'm sadder now, I have had cause; but O! I'm proud to think
That each pure joy-fount loved of yore, I yet delight to drink ;-
Leaf, blossom, blade, hill, valley, stream, the calm unclouded sky,
Still mingle music with my dreams, as in the days gone by.
When summer's loveliness and light fall round me dark and cold,
I'll bear indeed life's heaviest curse-a heart that hath waxed old!
W. MOTHERWELL.

THE ADVENTURES OF HAITIM TAÏ.

A PERSIAN TALE.

CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

AITIM then set out on his journey for the capital of China, and after he had advanced a considerable way he arrived at the mouth of a well. There he espied a man in the act of drawing water, and was about to request some to drink, when suddenly a serpent reared its head from the water, and coiling itself round the body of the man, plunged with him into the deep water.

Haitim wrung his hands in agony, and exclaimed, "Alas! what a vile deed this snake has perpetrated. It has destroyed a poor man who came hither for water, and whose wife and children are anxiously expecting his return."

"Oh, Hait:m! shall it be said that a poor man was deprived of life, and you standing by without lending him the least assistance ? What will be your answer hereafter in the presence of your Creator ?"

Thus he soliloquised, and instantly plunged into the water. In a short time he fixed his feet on firm ground, and on opening his eyes he was astonished at finding neither the well nor the water; but instead of them a spacious plain opened to his view, abounding with beautiful trees, in the midst of which he espied a lofty palace. Haitim stood for a time wondering at what he saw, and then advanced close to the palace. There he beheld splendid galleries with elegant couches, and a throne brilliant as crystal covered with piles of cushions, on which lay asleep a monstrous creature of human form, but in stature like a giant.

Haitim resolved on calling this monster to account for the snake and the waterman, but at the same time he hesitated, as he nowhere beheld any traces either of the serpent or the man. "At all events," said Haitim to himself, "I will approach him and see what sort of creature he is."

Haitim went up to the giant, and as the latter was still asleep, he quietly took his seat beside him. He had not sat long when he

espied in a corner of the garden the very serpent that had carried off the waterman.

As soon as the snake observed Haitim it rushed upon him, but he, enraged on account of the fate of the waterman, seized it by the jaws, and exerting his whole strength, thus held it immovable.

The snake raised such a hissing noise, that the giant started up, and roared out to Haitim, "You son of man, what are you about? that is my courier."

Haitim replied, "I will not quit my hold unless my friend be restored to me."

The giant called out to the serpent, "Beware; this seems to be a powerful man, and capable of tearing thy jaws asunder. Above all, take care that he discover not the passage into thy mouth."

When Haitim heard this he stretched open the two jaws of the serpent, entered its mouth, and was instantly swallowed, notwithstanding the repeated warnings of the giant to the contrary.

Arrived, as he thought, in the belly of the snake, he was surprised at finding himself in a spacious and sombre apartment. He began to grope his way through this strange abode, when suddenly a voice reached his ear, saying, "Oh, Haitim! whatsoever you meet with in this apartment, cut it with your dagger, for by that means only you will be released from this enchantment; otherwise you cannot escape hence till the day of judgment."

While Haitim was thus exploring his dark abode, he unexpectedly laid his hand on something in the shape of a heart. The instant he felt this substance, he pulled out his knife and cut it into many pieces, agreeably to the warning voice which he had heard.

This was no sooner done than a flood of water rushed upon him, and he found himself overwhelmed amidst swelling billows.

Exhausted, he began to sink, when after a time he once more felt the ground beneath his feet. He opened his eyes and looked around him, but no trace could he see of the palace, the giant, the serpent, the garden, or the dark chamber where he had lately been.

Before him lay a boundless desert, strewed apparently with dead. bodies. On coming nearer, he observed that a few of these wretches were still alive, while others were in the agonies of death.

Among the living, Haitim discovered the very waterman whom the snake had carried off. He made up to him, and said, " Brother, how came you here ?"

The waterman replied, "I was drawing water from the well, when a serpent carried me off, and having conveyed me hither, vanished from my sight. What that serpent is, or where it is gone to, I know not."

Haitim questioned various other individuals as to their coming thither, and from all of them received for answer that the serpent had brought them. He then explained to them the nature of the enchantment by which they were held, and how he had broken the spell by entering the mouth of the snake, and cutting to pieces the heart in the dark chamber.

is

He concluded by saying, Give praise to God, for your enemy now vanquished, and you are at liberty to go whenever you please." The wretched men replied, "It is a long time since many of us came hither, and we know not the way by which we were brought. Most of our number have died of hunger and thirst, and we also were despairing of life. God the Supreme has, in his mercy, destined thee to be our deliverer."

Haitim, after giving them proper directions, took his leave, and proceeded on his journey to the capital of China. In the course of a few days he entered that vast empire, and arrived at one of the principal cities.

The sentinels at the gate immediately seized him, and said, "Who are you? and whither do you go? You must be examined by our governor, and give an account of yourself before we can allow you to advance any further."

Haitim, thus roughly handled, said to them, "Good people, is it the custom of your country to annoy travellers in this manner?"

The sentinels replied, "The reason why we detain you is this: -The daughter of our governor asks three questions of every traveller that enters the city; if he gives a satisfactory answer he is permitted to go his way, and if not, he is put to death."

Haitim, having no choice, accompanied the sentinels, deeply meditating as to the nature of the questions which should be put to him.

At length the sentinels presented him to the governor, who asked him," Stranger, whence come you, and what is your name ?"

"I am from Yemen," said he, " and on my way to the capital of China. As to my name, it is none of your business; no one ought to annoy the traveller unnecessarily on the contrary, he is entitled to your kind treatment and hospitality, if you wish to set a good example to the world, and do what is acceptable to God the Supreme."

The governor replied, "A severe scourge has fallen upon our city, which has always been famous for equity, so as to have merited the

appellation of Adalatabad; but now, owing to the violent caprice of my daughter, its present name is Bedadabad.

"For some time past every traveller that arrived in our city has, on her account, been put to death, and their blood has fallen upon my head."

After some meditation, Haitim said to him, "Why do you not slay your daughter at once?"

"Is it possible," replied the governor, "for any man to be the murderer of his own child, nay, of his only child? It is not in my heart to put her to death."

When Haitim heard this appeal, his eyes shed many tears as he replied, "Alas, miserable man! you have no remedy. May the Almighty Creator remove from you this heavy affliction."

The Governor of Adalatabad then conducted Haitim to his daughter's apartment, where she reclined upon a throne of shining gold.

Haitim was struck with her beauty, which surpassed that of all other mortals. She gracefully stood up, and modestly drawing her veil over her face, received Haitim with extreme courtesy and affection, for the instant she beheld him her heart felt for him. She took him by the hand and seated him on a splendid throne, while she occupied another beside him. She then sent for her nurse, and said to her, "My dear mother, this traveller who has arrived to-day has won my heart, and is mutually enamoured of me. He seems of noble rank, but, alas! to-morrow his life must be sacrificed."

The nurse replied, "Alas! my child, it is your destiny to act with violence and oppression towards travellers, not even excepting this comely youth; but there is no saying whether he may not prove successful in executing your commands."

"Let me but know," said Haitim, "the nature of the task which the lady proposes, and the reason why so many travellers are sacrificed in this city, which is now proverbial for cruelty."

"Noble youth," the nurse replied, "every night this lady becomes possessed of an evil spirit, and utters the most incoherent expressions, after which she proposes two enigmas to such strangers as may be found within the city. If the latter fail in solving her riddles, she causes them instantly to be put to death. None of us, her attendants, can venture to remain near her at such times, lest some evil might befall us."

On hearing this statement, Haitim replied, "Well, I shall soon know by experience whether longer life or immediate death be destined for me." He was then presented with food, but he rejected it, saying "I will not eat of your food until I have accomplished the task you may impose upon me. Such is my vow. I consider it inconsistent with probity in a man to waste his time in eating and drinking, or wantonly to throw away his life, and leave unfinished the business entrusted to him by another. Pardon me, then, for refusing your bounty."

"Generous youth," said the nurse, "I am confident that you will succeed in this affair; you speak the sentiments of rectitude and honour."

Night arrived, and all the servants and attendants abandoned the palace, and shut fast the gates behind them, leaving Haitim to his fate.

About the end of the first watch the lady became frantic, and spoke incoherently whatever came into her mind. She wildly cast her eyes on Haitim, and thus addressed him: "Stranger, who are you, and what is your business here? Answer my riddle, or you

shall die."

"What is your riddle ?" said Haitim; "let me hear it ?" The lady then proceeded, "There is a fruit sweet beyond measure to the taste of all living creatures, whether deers, men, beasts, or birds: what fruit is this of which all are so fond?'

observed Haitim, and throwing her veil over her countenance, she said to him, "Stranger, who are you; and how came you to sit here?" He answered, "Have you then forgot me? I am the traveller whom your people yesterday seized and conducted into your presence."

The governor's daughter called her nurse, and asked her, "My dear mother, tell me how came this youth to be here and alive this morning."

The nurse replied, "My child, God is merciful, and took this stranger under his protection; but tell me what is your state ?" "To-day," she replied, "I feel quite relieved, and in perfect health ?"

The nurse then, addressing Haitim, said "Most learned of men, can you account to me for this change? Tell me what has occurred in your presence ?"

That," replied Haitim, "I shall communicate, to-morrow, only to her father."

Next morning the governor summoned Haitim to his presence, and said to him, " Tell me, stranger, what has happened, and how is it you are alive ?"

Haitim detailed every circumstance as it occurred, saying, "Noble sir, about the end of the first watch your daughter was seized with a fit of raving madness, and began to utter the most incoherent language. At length her eyes happened to turn towards me, she said, Rash stranger, how dare you enter my apartment? Your life is ended unless you answer my questions. She then asked me two questions, which I satisfactorily answered.

For some time after she remained silent, when suddenly a black serpent issued from her nostrils, and rushed furiously towards me. I seized the reptile, and having shut it up in a silver vessel, I buried it in the court-yard; and from that moment your daughter has enjoyed a sound state of health."

When the governor heard this statement, he said, "Most noble youth, on you I bestow in marriage this my only child, which is no more than fulfilling the vow that I have made; I therefore hope that you will accept her."

"On one condition," said Haitim, "will I receive her; that is, whenever I feel inclined to leave this place, I may either leave her here, or take her with me and bestow her upon whomsoever I please."

To this the father agreed, and on that very day the marriage was celebrated according to the customs of the country, and the hours were spent in mirth and festivity.

Haitim remained there three months; after which period he took leave of his wife, and departed; he at the same time left orders, saying, "Should my wife be delivered of a son, and should the child prove to be of the tribe of Taï, tell him that his father's country is in Arabia the happy; and thither let him come whenever he may possess the desire of seeing me. If, however, it be a daughter, let her be carefully brought up and married to a brave and worthy man; and should my life be spared, I shall again visit you."

The whole of that night Haitim was preparing for his journey and as soon as morning dawned he set out for the capital of China. In the course of a few days he arrived at that extensive city, and inquired for the quarter occupied by the linen merchants. The people directed him thither, and on reaching the place he found the residence of Yusuf the merchant, and asked whether any of his

descendants still lived there.

One of the linen merchants immediately went to the grandchildren, of Yusuf, and said to them, "There is a stranger arrived from some far country, who is desirous to see you."

"Tell me now," said the lady, “my other question. What is it that no one desires and yet every one obtains ?"

"That," replied Haitim, "is death, which is destined for all men, though no one wishes it."

When the questions were thus solved, the lady remained silent for some time, when suddenly she was seized with convulsions and fell from her couch.

Then a snake, black and frightful, issued from her nostrils, and rushed towards Haitim. He seized his dagger with the intention of cutting it to pieces, but considered that it would be cruelty, to which he was averse: he therefore took out the talisman given him by the bear's daughter, and threw it at the venomous reptile.

The snake became tame as a lamb, and suffered Haitim to hold it n his hands and shut it up in a silver vessel, after which he dug a pit in the ground, and having buried it, he replaced the earth and secured it with bricks and clay,

In about a watch after, the lady being restored to her senses,

When the grandchildren of Yusuf and the people of the bazaar heard this extraordinary declaration, they all laughed most heartily, and said to him in reply, "Truly, young stranger, you are quite crazy. It is a very long time since Yusuf died; how, then, could he have sent you hither with a message?"

"How," said Haitim, "could I have known that you reside in the linen-bazaar, and various other circumstances connected with you, had I not received my information from your grandfather? I have further tokens from him by which I shall prove my veracity if you will hear me; but the question now is, are you willing to listen to me or not?"

The people requested Haitim to proceed with his message, which he did as follows:-" In a certain apartment, near the bed where Yusuf was wont to sleep, there are buried valuable jewels and vast treasures, of which no one but myself has any information; these you shall bring to light, and divide into four equal portions, onefourth of which you shall keep, and bestow the other three-fourths

in the way which is acceptable to God the most High, in relieving the wants of the poor and the distressed."

He then detailed to them minutely his late adventure, and having mentioned all that he had witnessed respecting their grandfather, he concluded, saying, "If Yusuf himself had not sent me, how could I have known so much about your house?"

The people said to him, "We cannot proceed further in this affair without applying to our King."

The relatives of Yusuf, therefore, conducted Haitim before the august monarch of China, and being admitted into the royal presence, thus spoke:"Sire, this youthful stranger asserts that he has seen our grandfather Yusuf, the merchant, by whom he has been entrusted hither with a message for us."

The King, on hearing their statement, could not refrain from laughter at last he said to them, "The young man is mad; why, it is nearly one hundred years since old Yusuf, the merchant, died; how then could this stripling have ever seen him? Foolish youth," continued the King, addressing Haitim, "has it ever been known that the dead held communication with the living? But you are crazy, and all that I have to say to you is, to quit my capital as soon as possible."

Haitim firmly but respectfully replied, "Most upright king, this is one of the secret dispensations of the Almighty, and is beyond the comprehension of mortals. We believe that martyrs inherit life everlasting. Yusuf, however, when in this world, was a miser, for which, Sire, he is now in a state of torment; and should your Majesty be pleased to listen attentively to my statement, it will be the means of procuring him salvation.

"If I be mad, how came I to possess my information respecting the treasure concealed in Yusuf's sleeping apartment, which I have never seen ?"

When his Majesty heard this reply from Haitim, he desired him to state who he was, and how he had become concerned in this strange affair.

Haitim related the cause of his journey to the tombs of the mattyrs, what he had there seen, and the state of suffering to which Yusuf was doomed.

"I asked him," said Haitim, "the cause of his misery, which he told me in detailing the particulars of his past life, and also the way in which he is likely to obtain relief.

"For this reason, Sire, I have journeyed to your capital, and if you believe not my statement, at least let the apartment in which the treasure is hidden be strictly searched; if the gold and jewels be found as I have described them it will be a proof of my integrity; but if not, let me be doomed to the severest of punishments."

The King, after some reflection, resolved to search in person the apartment of Yusuf, to which he immediately proceeded, accompanied by Haitim. In the very spot which the latter pointed out, the gold and jewels were found, to the great astonishment of the King.

The treasure was then divided into four equal portions, one of which was made over to the grandchildren of Yusuf, and the remainder was, by his Majesty, given in charge to Haitim.

"You," said the King, seem to be a man of integrity; accept this wealth, then, and with your own hand distribute it in charity, after such manner as you may deem proper."

Haitim for several days was occupied in his favourite task of relieving the wants of the poor, the destitute, and the stranger.

Having accomplished the object of his journey to the capital of China, Haitim began to make preparations for his return. He had the satisfaction of seeing the grandchildren of Yusuf now raised to a state of affluence, and engaged in commerce.

Haitim took leave of the Emperor of China, and returning by the way he came, he arrived in the city of Adalatabad; there he was affectionately received by his wife, who by that time had a son.

Haitim and his friends were extremely delighted on this occasion, and named the son Salim.

Shortly after, Haitim proceeded on his journey until he came to the desert in which were the tombs of the martyrs.

At the appointed hour all the martyrs, as formerly, rose into life, and among them Yusuf the merchant, but in a state different from his former condition.

At midnight, the tables with food were placed before them, of which Yusuf now partook. At the same time there appeared a table unoccupied, which was intended for Haitim, who at their request approached, and, after the usual salutations, asked Yusuf how he fared.

The merchant replied, "Noble youth, by your humane efforts my condition has been improved, and I am now delivered from my state of torment; my food and drink are the same as that of the rest, but the thrones on which they sit are more splendid, and the apparel in which they are arrayed is more elegant than mine; on them, too, are bestowed perfumes, and substances of sweet fragrance, of which my portion is but small; but, alas! their desert is far

greater than mine, for when they were in the fetters of human life their hands were ever active in charitable deeds.

my

"I, however, after severe penance, have been released from state of misery; now I am happy and possessed of salvation. You are the instrument whereby the Almighty has accomplished this end, and on you he will bestow the reward of the righteous."

Haitim spent the remainder of the night there as before, and when the morning dawned he took his departure.

After traversing for several days the mountains and deserts, he came to a spot where he beheld a decrepit old woman sitting by the way-side; when she observed him she made a piteous appeal to his charity, and Haitim pulled off a diamond ring from his finger, gave it to her and walked onwards.

The old woman then cried out, "May heaven send one or two to aid me," and in an instant seven young men rushed from the desert. These men were the sons of the old woman, and were notorious robbers.

The mother showed them the diamond ring, and assured them that the traveller who gave it must be a man of wealth. The robbers overtook Haitim, and walked peaceably along with him for some distance, conversing on various subjects. At last they said to him, " Noble sir, we are here out of employment, and if you will permit us, it is our wish to accompany you to some city where we may earn our livelihood by service."

To this Haitim readily assented; and when the robbers found that he was duped by their false assertions, one of them came behind him, and casting a net over his head, they all seized him and conveyed him to the mouth of a pit which was close by. They there stripped him and took possession of all the money and jewels that he had with him; after which they wounded him in several parts of his body with their daggers, and threw him into the pit. (To be continued.)

THE GOLDEN GLOVE, OR THE SQUIRE OF
TAMWORTH.

"A WEALTHY young squire near Tamworth did dwell,
He courted a lady and loved her full well,
And for to be mar-ri-ed it was his intent,
All her friends and relations they gave their consent.
The time was appointed for the wedding-day,
A young farmer chosen to give her away;
As soon as the farmer the young lady did spy,
He inflamed her heart; 'O, my heart!' she did cry.
She turned from the squire, but nothing she said:
Instead of being married she took to her bed;
The thought of the farmer soon run in her mind,
And a way for to have him she quickly did find.
Coat, waistcoat, and breeches she then did put on,
And a hunting she went with her dog and her gun;
She hunted all round where the farmer did dwell,
Because in her heart she did love him full well:
She often times fired, but nothing she killed :
At length the young farmer came into the field;
And to discourse with him it was her intent,
With her dog and her gun to meet him she went.
'I thought you had been at the wedding,' she cried,
To wait on the squire, and give him his bride;"
'No, sir,' said the farmer, if the truth I may tell,
I'll not give her away, for I love her too well.'
'Suppose that the lady should grant you her love,
You know that the squire your rival will prove;'
'Why then,' says the farmer, I'll take sword in hand,
By honour I'll gain her when she shall command.'
It pleased the lady to find him so bold;
She gave him a glove that was flowered with gold,
And told him she found it when coming along,
As she was a hunting with her dog and gun.
The lady went home with her heart full of love,
And gave out a notice that she'd lost a glove;
And said who has found it, and brings it to me,
Whoever he is, he my husband shall be.'

The farmer was pleased when he heard of the news,
With heart full of joy to the lady he goes:
'Dear, honoured lady, I've picked up your glove,
And hope you'll be pleased to grant me your love.
'It's already granted, I will be your bride;
I love the sweet breath of a farmer,' she cried.
I'll be mistress of my dairy, and milking my cow,
While my jolly brisk farmer is whistling at plough.'
And when she was married she told of her fun-
How she went a hunting with her dog and gun:
'And now I've got him so fast in my snare,
I'll enjoy him for ever, I vow and declare!'"

THE SPRING JOURNEY.

BISHOP HEBER.

Qu! green was the corn as I rode on my way,
And bright were the dews on the blossoms of May,
And dark was the sycamore's shade to behold,
And the oak's tender leaf was of emerald and gold.
The thrush from the holly, the lark from the cloud,
Their chorus of rapture sung jovial and loud;
From the soft vernal sky to the soft grassy ground
There was beauty above me, beneath, and around.

The mild southern breeze brought a shower from the hill,
And yet, though it left me all dripping and chill,
I felt a new pleasure, as onward I sped,

To gaze where the rainbow gleam'd 'broad overhead.

Oh! such be life's journey, and such be our skill,
To lose in its blessing the sense of its ill;

Through sunshine and shower may our progress be even,
And our tears add a charm to the prospects of Heaven!

THE ELFIN WOOD.

As an honest woodman was sitting one evening, after his work was done, talking with his wife, he said, "I hope the children will not run into that wood by the river side, it looks more gloomy than ever. The old oak tree is sadly shivered and torn, and some queer folks, I am sure, are lurking about there, but who they are nobody knows." The woodman, however, could not say that they brought ill-luck, whatever they were; for everyone said that the village had thriven more than ever of late, that the fields looked gayer and greener, that even the sky was of a deeper blue, and that the moon and stirs shed a brighter light. So, not knowing what to think, the good people very wisely let the new comers alone, and, in truth, seldom said or thought anything at all about them.

That very evening, the woodman's daughter, Rose, and her playmate, Martin, ran out to have a game of hide-and-seek in the valley. "Where can he be hidden ?" said she; "he must have gone towards the wood; perhaps he's behind the old oak-tree," and down she ran to look. Just then she spied a little dog that jumped and frisked round her, and wagged his tail, and led her on towards the grove. Then he ran into it, and she soon jumped up the bank by the side of the old oak to look for him; she was overjoyed to see a beautiful meadow, where flowers and shrubs of every kind grew upon turf of the softest green; gay butterflies flew about; the birds sang sweetly; and, what was strangest, the prettiest little children, like fairies, sported about on all sides, some twining the flowers, and others dancing in rings upon the smooth turf beneath the trees. In the midst of the wood, instead of the hovels of which Rose had heard, she could see a palace, that dazzled her eyes with its brightness.

For a while she gazed on the fairy scene, till at last one of the little dancers ran up to her, and said, "So, pretty Rose, you are come at last to see us? We have often seen you play about, and wished to have you with us." Then she plucked some of the fruit that grew near, and Rose, at the first taste, forgot her home, and wished only to see and know more of her fairy friends. So she jumped down from the bank and joined the merry dance.

Then they led her about with them, and showed her all their sports. One while they danced by moonlight on the primrose banks, at another time they skipped from bough to bough, among the trees that hung over the murmuring streams, for they moved as lightly and easily through the air as on the ground, and Rose went with them everywhere, for they bore her in their arms wherever they wished to go. Sometimes they would throw seeds on the turf, and little trees would spring up; and then they would set their feet the branches, and rise as the trees grew under them, till they danced upon the boughs in the air, wherever the breezes carried them, singing merry songs.

upon

At other times they would go and visit the palace of their queen, and there the richest food was spread before them, and the softest music was heard, and all around grew flowers, which were always changing their hues, from scarlet to purple, and yellow, and emerald. Sometimes they went to look at the heaps of treasure which were piled up in the royal stores, for little dwarfs were always employed in searching the earth for gold.

Small as this fairy-land looked from without, it seemed within to have no end; a mist hung around it to shield it from the eyes of men, and some of the little elves sat perched upon the outermost trees, to keep watch lest the step of man should break in and spoil the charm.

“And who are you ?" said Rosé, one day. "We are what are

called elves in your world," said one, whose name was Gossamer, and who had become her dearest friend. "We are told you talk a great deal about us. Some of our tribe like to work you mischief, but we who live here seek only to be happy; we meddle little with mankind, and when we do come among them it is to do them good." "And where is your queen?" said Rose.,

Hush, hush! you cannot see or know her. You must leave us before she comes back, which will now be very soon, for mortal step cannot come where she is. But you will know that she is here, when you see the meadows gayer, the rivers more sparkling, and the sun brighter."

Soon afterwards Gossamer told Rose the time was come to bid her farewell, and she gave her a ring in token of their friendship, and led her to the edge of the wood. "Think of me," said she; "but beware how you tell what you have seen, or try to visit any of us again; for, if you do, we shall quit this wood and come

back no more."

Turning back, Rose saw nothing but the old oak and the gloomy wood she had known before. "How frightened my father and mother will be," thought she, as she looked at the sun, which had risen some time. They will wonder, where I have been all night, and yet I must not tell them what I have seen.

Then she hastened homewards, wondering, however, as she went to see that the leaves, which were yesterday so fresh and green, were now falling dry and yellow around her. The cottage, too, seemed changed; and when she went in, there sat her father, looking some years older than when she last saw him, and her mother, whom she hardly knew,, was by his side. Close by was a young man. "Father," said Rose, who is this?"

66

"Who are you that call me father ?" said he. Are you-hb, you cannot pe,-our long-lost Rose ?"

But they soon saw that it was Rose, and the young man, who was her old friend and playfellow, Martin, said, "No wonder you had forgotten me in seven years; do not you remember how we parted, seven years ago, while playing in the field? We thought you were quite lost, but I am glad to see that some one has taken care of you, and brought you home at last."

Rose said nothing, for she could not tell all; but she wondered at the strange tale, and felt gloomy at the change from fairy-land to her father's cottage.

Little by little she came to herself, thought of her story as a mere dream, and soon became Martin's bride, Everything seemed to thrive around them, and Rose thought of her friends, and so called her first little girl Elfie. The little thing was loved by everyone. It was pretty and very good-tempered. Rose thought it was very like a little elf, and all, without knowing why, called it the fairy-child.

One day, while Rose was dressing her little Elfie, she found a piece of gold hanging round her neck by a silken, thread, and knew it to be of the same sort as she had seen in the hands of the fairy dwarf. Elfie seemed sorry at its being seen, and said that she had found it in the garden. But Rose watched her, and soon found that she went every afternoon to sit by herself in a shady place behind the house, So one day she hid herself to see what the child did there, and to her great wonder Gossamer was sitting by her side.

"Dear Elfie," she was saying, "your mother and I used to sit thus when she was young and lived among us. Oh, if you could but come and do so too! But since our queen came to us it cannot be; yet, I will come and see you and talk to you whilst you are a child; when you grow up we must part for ever."

Then she plucked one of the roses that grew around them, and breathed gently upon it, and said, "Take this for my sake. It will now keep fresh for a whole year."

Then Rose loved her little Elfie more than ever, and when she found that she spent some hours of almost every day with the elf, she used to hide herself and watch them without being seen, till one day, when Gossamer was bearing her little friend through the air from tree to tree, her mother was so frightened lest her child should fall, that she could not help screaming out; and Gossamer set her gently on the ground, and seemed angry, and flew away. But still she used sometimes to come and play with her little friend, and would soon, perhaps, have done so the same as before, had not Rose one day told her husband the whole story, for she could not bear to hear him always wondering and laughing at their little child's odd ways, and saying he was sure there was something in the wood that brought them no good. So, to show him that all she said was true, she took him to see Elfie and the fairy; but no sooner did Gossamer know that he was there (which she did in an instant), than she changed herself into a raven and flew off into the wood.

Rose burst into tears, and so did Elfie, for she knew she should see her dear friend no more; but Martin was restless, and bent upon following up his search after the fairies, so, when night came, he stole away towards the wood. When he came to it nothing was to