in the dispute between Kuzl-bashee the dyer and Katil-bhae the butcher. This was the first time the Cotwall had ever been called upon to produce any record of his proceedings; and although conscious he had acted in this particular case in the most just and impartial manner, he presented his Duftur with fear and trembling.

The Nuwab, having caused the extracts to be read over, complimented the Cotwall on his impartial conduct; at the same time observing that there appeared to be two distinct causes of dispute, one for the assault committed by the butcher on the dyer's son, and another respecting the right to the piece of ground. Now, had these been tried separately, the cause would have assumed a clearer and more comprehensive aspect. Witnesses were examined in the presence of the Nuwab, who became fully satisfied that the dyer had been greatly aggrieved. It was now the butcher's turn to become alarmed, and, falling on his face, he begged for mercy. The Nuwab sentenced him to pay a fine of one hundred rupees, to give up for ever all claims to the ground, which was indisputably the property of the dyer, and for the assault to receive thirty stripes on the soles of his feet in the public market-place. Katil-bhae was beginning to bellow for mercy, when, the Nuwab waving his hand, he was hurried away and quickly bastinadoed. The Cotwall was presented with a pair of handsome shawls, in testimony of the high satisfaction his conduct had afforded the Nuwab.

We must now take leave for the present of Katil-bhae and Kuzl-bashee, upon whose disputes we have dwelt, being the foundation of an event which leads to the narration of several, we hope,

1 Record Book.

interesting and amusing tales. We left Moye-ed-din chewing the cud of repentance, and framing in his mind several plans how to regain the lost favour of his master. Alas! he feared his attempts would be fruitless; no light seemed to dawn on the melancholy gloom which enveloped his mind. He fancied he was reminded hourly of the degradation under which he was labouring by the least trifling omission or forgetfulness of his servants, who, nevertheless, were as assiduous as ever to please him. Six months elapsed, and yet no step had he gained towards reconciliation with the Nuwab, who seemed to have erased the recollection of him from the tablets of his memory.

During this whole time, the unhappy ex-Deewan had confined himself within the walls of his palace, situated on the banks of the river, ignorant of all that was going forward, and only occasionally hearing a word or two of news from the loquacious Buxoo barber, whose services were now only in requisition once in the week, instead of daily, as heretofore. At last a gleam of hope burst on the melancholy Moye-ed-din. On the last day of the week, as he was sitting in his room, which overlooked the river, Buxoo-bhae, the barber, was announced; he entered, wearing an unusual smiling countenance, and commenced stropping his razors with unaccustomed celerity and adroitness; and such was his haste to begin his operations, that he stumbled over his own leathern bag and nearly fell into the arms of the astonished Moye-ed-din.

'Why how now, Buxoo,' said he, 'hast thou forgotten the laws of the Prophet so early in the morning, and stained thy filthy mouth with liquor? Or art thou blind?'

'Blind, my lord, quite blind,' replied the barber, 'and 'tis no

wonder that I am so, for I have visited the sun in all its splendour. My eyes have been within a yard of the planet itself! Is it a wonder, therefore, I am dazzled ?'

'Ah!' cried the now curious Moye-ed-din, 'what may be this wondrous luminary? A woman, I warrant ye.'

'A heavenly one!' 'Within reach ?'

'Ay, my lord.'

'Where? Speak, and name your reward.'

'No one knows but myself.'

'Speak, I say, or dread '-my power, he would have said; but recollecting the very narrow limits in which it was contained, after a pause, changed it to-' my displeasure.'

'My lord, I am your slave. I have dressed your beard these twenty years; and have, during that time, duly and truly related to you all I know, and all I saw. God forbid that I should now refuse you either the labour of my hands or the words of my mouth. See you that large and stately ship, just passed the bar of the river ?'

'The one with the broad red flag, Buxoo?'

'The same.'

'Where is she from ?'

'Bussorah, and the Red Sea.'

'Well, and her cargo diamonds, I suppose; and these have dazzled your senses?'

Ay, my lord, she bears a diamond indeed, which would dazzle any person's senses. Be patient, my lord, and attend to me. At daybreak this morning, as I was putting my shop in order, an

Arab came up to me, apparently desirous of having his beard dressed. I was on the alert immediately, as I always am, and no one can say but Buxoo-bhae is

'Never mind, my good man-go on; you are the best of barbers,' said the curious Moye-ed-din.

Buxoo, bowing, continued: 'Well, my lord, when I began to handle the Arab's beard he fell into a mighty passion, and said something in Arabic, which I did not understand; however, by signs, and a word or two of Hindústanee, which he fortunately was master of, I comprehended he desired me to accompany him to the river; so packing up my instruments, I followed him to the Custom-house, and from thence to a small boat, in which we both seated ourselves. The Arab rowed as hard as he could, and we soon came alongside that stately ship which I have just pointed out to your lordship.'

'Well, and what happened then? Moye-ed-din.

Do, pray go on,' said

'Why, my lord, a great deal happened; for I saw-but stopno, I did not see yet-first, as I was about to mention, I ascended the ship, which was full of Arabs and slaves; then my conductor led me to the great cabin, one-half of which was occupied by the captain, whose beard, I was made to understand, required to be trimmed previous to his going on shore. Just as I was beginning to cut and clip a violent altercation ensued on the deck, so much so that the captain abruptly started up, leaving me alone in his cabin; at this moment, a heart-rending sigh from the adjoining cabin broke upon my ear. My curiosity being excited, I approached the partition, which being constructed of rude and uneven materials,

I soon found a chink, to which I applied my eye: when, how can I describe my amazement at beholding, reclining on a couch, one of the loveliest females man ever set eyes upon! fair as alabaster, lips like the ruby, a form more graceful than the cypress, and eyes like the brilliant stars of heaven: she seemed dejected and unhappy; yet was there such beauty in her grief as to render sorrow a feast of delight. Short was my pleasure: the step of the Captain hurried me once more into the centre of the cabin, when, with my scissors in my hand, I received him with a low salaam. Such, however, was the wonder and curiosity which inflamed my breast, together with the consciousness of my having dared to pry into the secrets of my noble customer, that not only my hand but my whole body shook so violently, as to render my services for some minutes entirely useless. The Arab, imagining I was awed by his grandeur alone, made allowances for my awkwardness, and suffered me to take a cup of water, which in a measure composed me, so as to be enabled to go through my job with tolerable satisfaction to my employer, who has desired me to return with some perfumes; and, as soon as possible, it is my intention to wait upon him.'

During this recital the countenance of Moye-ed-din brightened up, and he conceived a fair opportunity presented itself for him, at least, to attempt a reinstatement in the good graces of the Nuwab. A thought struck him, which he communicated to the barber, viz. that he should accompany Buxoo, in disguise as a perfume-seller, by which means he might chance to get a view of this houri, of whose beauty he had received so glowing a description. Buxoo, giving a ready assent, retired to purchase the perfume

suitable disguise for his master. On his return