THE TALES OF THE GENII.

THESE once celebrated Tales, which purported to be "translated from the Persian, by Sir Charles Morell," were written by the Rev. James Ridley, a descendant of the Protestant Martyr, Bishop Ridley. He was the son of the Rev. Gloucester Ridley, and, after being educated at Winchester, and at New College, Oxford, succeeded his father in the living of Romford, in Essex. He died in 1761. His father thus speaks of him in a letter to a friend :

"So generous a heart, such an intimate knowledge of the powers and workings of Nature, so serious and earnest a desire to serve God and mankind, with a cheerful spirit and address in conveying his instructions, make his loss as great to the world as it is to me. Some specimens he has left behind him in the humorous papers of 'The Schemer;' and he lived just long enough to finish a monthly work, in which he engaged before his death, publishing his last number of 'The Tales of the Genii,' the first of February, in which month he died."

THE TALISMAN OF OROMANES.

FROMTALES OF THE GENII.'

IN the centre of the quay of Bagdat, where the wealth of the whole earth is poured forth for the benefit of the faithful, lived the fortunate Abudah, possessed of the merchandise and riches of many various nations, caressed by the mighty, and blessed by the indigent; daily providing for thousands by his munificence, and winning daily the hearts of thousands by his charity and generosity. But however magnificently or royally the days of Abudah might be spent, his nights were the nights of disturbance and affliction. His wife, who was fairer

than the greatest beauties of Circassia; his children, who were lovelier than the offspring of the Fairies; and his riches, which were greater than the desires of man could consume; were unavailing to drive from his imagination the terrors of the night: for no sooner was the merchant retired within the walls of his chamber, than a little box, which no art might remove from its place, advanced without help into the centre of the chamber, and, opening, discovered to his sight the form of a diminutive old hag, who, with crutches, hopped forward to Abudah, and every night addressed him in the following terms:-"O Abudah, to whom Mahomet hath given such a profusion of blessings, why delayest thou to search out the talisman of Oromanes? the which, whoever possesseth, shall know neither uneasiness nor discontent; neither may he be assaulted by the tricks of fortune, or the power of man. Till you are possessed of that valuable treasure, O Abudah, my presence shall nightly remind you of your idleness, and my chest remain for ever in the chambers of your repose."

Having thus said, the hag retired into her box, shaking her crutches, and, with an hideous yell, closed herself in, and left the unfortunate merchant on a bed of doubt and anxiety for the rest of the night.

This unwelcome visitant still repeating her threats, rendered the life of Abudah most miserable and fatiguing: neither durst he tell his grievance, lest the strangeness of the adventure should rather move the laughter than the compassion of his friends. At length, however, wearied out with the strange and importunate demands of this nightly hag, he ventured to open his mind; and, in the midst of his friends, asked publicly, as he was feasting in his saloon, who could give any account of the talisman of Oromanes, or the place where it was preserved? To this question his friends could return him no satisfactory answer; they had all indeed heard of its virtues, but despaired of finding it so that Abudah was forced to return again to the upbraiding of his

nocturnal hag, and knew not what course to steer in pursuit of the appointed treasure.

The next day, he caused it to be cried publicly in the streets of Bagdat, "that Abudah the merchant would give much riches to the man who could inform him where the talisman of Oromanes was lodged." This declaration was made for many days successively: but no one appeared to satisfy the inquiries of the impatient Abudah.

After many days, a poor traveller, who had been spoiled of his goods by the Arabians, passing through Bagdat, heard the publication, and immediately offered to go before Abudah, and make known the place where the talisman of Oromanes was preserved. The friends of the wealthy merchant joyfully carried the poor traveller to the palace of Abudah, and with great tumult introduced him to the merchant, who was sitting on a low sofa, and seemed entirely indifferent to the music which played before him, the dessert of elegancies which was prepared for his food, and the caresses of his wife and children, who endeavoured, by their tenderness and affection, to divert the gloom that overshadowed him. Abudah," cried his friends (lifting up their voices together), "behold the discoverer of the talisman of Oromanes!"

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At their voices, the afflicted merchant looked up, like one awakened from a dream.

“This,” said his friends, presenting the poor traveller to him, "this is the man who will engage to point out to you the talisman of Oromanes." The traveller was now about to begin his relation, when Abudah, having eyed him round, commanded the apartment to be cleared, that no one but himself might enjoy the discovery. His family and friends obediently departed; and the traveller, being left alone with the merchant, thus began his tale :

"Your fortune and attendance, O wealthy citizen of Bagdat, allow of your search after the talisman of Oromanes; but to the poor and needy, to the outcasts of fortune, no such happiness is permitted: they may indeed wander and examine, but the talisman is for ever shut up from their search; for infinite are the expenses which attend the discovery, and large the rewards which must be given to them who help the inquirer forward in his adventure after the sacred talisman. Myself, O merchant, have slaved through life to obtain a sufficiency for that great end and purpose: but since the Prophet has repeatedly blasted my designs, and reduced me to my original state of want, I must endeavour to wean my affections, and rest contented, though unblest."

"But, my friend," said Abudah, "you neglect to inform me where I may find or purchase this heavenly talisman.”

"It is lodged," replied the poor traveller, "in the Valley of Bocchim: princes are its guardians, and it is treasured up amidst all the riches of the earth; you cannot obtain admittance there, unless you go loaded

with every variety that is costly and expensive; which you must present to the Genii, who keep a watch over this earthly paradise of riches; and if your present be not sufficiently costly, your labour is lost."

"I have," cried Abudah, rejoiced to hear the talisman might be obtained by riches, "nine thousand acres of pasturage around the rivers of Bagdat; I have twelve thousand estates of fruits, and oils, and corn; I have twenty-two mines of the finest diamonds, and six hundred vessels which fish for and produce me the most costly pearl; I have, moreover, eight hundred warehouses, and four hundred store-rooms, filled with the most precious bales of silks and brocades; besides these, the fortunes of nine viziers, mortgaged for an hundred years, and all the beautiful slaves of Circassia, are at my disposal."

"O happy, happy Abudah!' interrupted the poor traveller: "thine then, and only thine, is it to purchase a passage into the Valley of Bocchim." "If so," continued Abudah, overjoyed at the poor traveller's exclamation, "direct me instantly to the entrance of the Valley.'

"Alas, sir," answered the traveller, "it is in the Deserts of Arabia, seventeen days' journey hence: besides, your presents are not ready, nor your guard, lest the Arabs spoil you of your riches, and prevent your application at the entrance of the Valley of Bocchim: but if you will permit your servant to direct you in the choice of the presents, some of which will take much time in preparing, by the next spring you may set forward, and speedily find an issue to your journey."

Abudah acquiesced in the arguments of the traveller; and, having given orders that he should use as he pleased his immense riches, he gave himself entirely up to the meditation of the intended journey. The poor traveller, having sufficient powers, disposed of the riches of Abudah, to purchase the necessary presents; and hired five thousand archers to accompany the wealthy caravan of the merchant into the Deserts.

The appointed time being arrived, and everything prepared, Abudah took a tender leave of his wife and family, and began his journey with the poor traveller to the Valley of Bocchim.

On the ninth day of the third month, ere the sun was risen on the mosques of Bagdat, was the sumptuous caravan drawn up in long order through the streets of that city, which Abudah beheld from his windows. Five hundred archers, mounted on the fleetest coursers, led the van; behind whom were twelve thousand oxen, thirty thousand sheep, and two hundred of the finest horses of Arabia. Next to these, came six hundred men armed with pole-axes and scimitars, with silk banners, displaying the blessings of Pasturage, and the utility and conveniency of Cattle for the service of man. After these were driven two hundred camels, laden with all manner of dried and preserved fruits; a thousand more with all sorts of grain; a thousand with the richest wines; and five hundred with the most pure oil; five hundred more with spices and

perfumes; and behind these, a thousand armed husbandmen, singing the Blessings of the Earth, burning in censers the most costly perfumes, and bearing flaxen and silken banners, representing the Seasons and annual Labours of Husbandry.-These were of the first day's procession.

The second day's cavalcade began with five hundred miners armed with sledges and hammers, whom a large car followed, drawn by twenty strong oxen, having within it all the implements of iron; and above, in the upper part, an hero, who commanded the armed men in the whole procession. Then came five hundred artificers; and after them, a car drawn by twenty mules with the implements of lead, and a curious artisan on the top of the car, singing the Uses of Metals. Behind these, came five hundred more artificers, with their different tools, and a car drawn by twenty horses with cast figures, statues, and implements of brass, and a cunning artificer on the top of the car. After these followed a thousand artificers in silver, and a sumptuous car of solid silver, drawn by fifty unicorns, and laden with plate and silver coin; also an hundred camels behind, laden also with silver; and on the car sat the steward of Abudah. At a small distance from these came forward a thousand armed cap-à-pie, after the manner of Saracens ; and behind these followed, on sumptuous mules, five hundred of the principal foreign merchants, richly habited, with the emblems of Commerce curiously wrought in their garments, who were followed by an enormous car, drawn by four elephants, laden with golden emblems and devices, with great quantities of that precious metal: the car also was of beaten gold. Into this, taking leave of Abudah, ascended the poor traveller, arrayed in purple and gold, and pointing, with a gold rod, toward the Valley of Bocchim.-And these completed the second day's procession.

On the third day issued forth from the gates of Bagdat, the final procession of the caravan of the merchant Abudah. A thousand archers began the ceremony, preceded by a martial band of music, and bearing among their ranks fifty silken streamers interwoven with gold, and having the emblems of Abudah's family wrought in their centres. Next to these, came fifty carriages, laden with the richest silks and brocades, and two hundred surrounded the carriages, arrayed in the different habits of two hundred nations; after whom came fifty negroes on dromedaries, bearing about their necks strings of the most costly pearl. After these, a thousand armed soldiers, after the European manner, who, at a small distance, were followed by an hundred mutes, behind whom came, in two hundred palanquins, as many beautiful slaves from Circassia, each guarded by four eunuchs, and clad in the richest robes.

The next in procession was the merchant Abudah, drawn in a chariot of pearl, of the most curious workmanship, by ten milk-white steeds, whose trappings were of gold. As to the garments of the merchant,