nothing could be conceived more magnificent; but the splendour of the ! jewels that were interwoven with the clothing exceeded the most lavish description: on each side the chariot an hundred musicians attended, and fifty slaves burning the choicest perfumes; various splendid banners waved around him, and two hundred friends behind, of the highest rank in the city of Bagdat, attended the illustrious and wealthy Abudah; after whom a thousand archers, and numberless camels, laden with all manner of provisions, water, and wine, brought up the rear of this magnificent cavalcade.

On the thirteenth day they halted in a plain, bounded on the side with lofty mountains, and, at the farther end, with a deep forest of cedars and palms. Here the poor traveller, descending with Abudah, walked forward toward the forest before them.

The traveller led Abudah into the forest through thickets, almost impervious, save the blind path which guided them forward. In this manner they passed till the evening; when the traveller, entering a cave, disappeared from the wondering Abudah. The merchant essayed to follow him, but looking into the cave, it seemed to have no bottom, therefore he was obliged to desist.

The sun was now sinking from the mountains, and the glowing skies seemed to tip the woods with their reddening light. Abudah, being fatigued, first sought out a tree, and, climbing into it, resolved there to await the dawn of the morning: but the severe fatigues had so much exhausted him, that, although he had resolved to watch till the morning, yet sleep soon overpowered him, and made him forget either the wonders or the dangers that surrounded him.

Abudah, in the morning, when he awakened, was surprised at an unusual glitter about him; and, looking more stedfastly, he found the tree on which he sat to be of pure gold, and the leaves of silver, with fruit like rubies hanging in clusters on the branches. Looking around, he also beheld the face of the country as though it had been changed: for on every side appeared the most glorious palaces that eye could conceive, glittering with gold, silver, and precious stones; so that the whole appeared more like an heavenly than an earthly situation.

Descending full of wonder from the tree, he found the ground he trod on to be gold-dust, and the stones pearls; these were covered with flowers which seemed formed of vegetable crystal, emeralds, and amethysts: trees and shrubs of silver and gold met his eye, growing almost visibly about him. At the farther end of the prospect he beheld a vast and expanded dome, which seemed to cover a whole plain, and rose to the clouds. This dome shone so brightly by the reflection of the costly materials of which it was composed, that he could hardly look toward it. However, as it seemed most to attract his attention, he advanced up to the door.

The dome, which was of entire gold, stood upon three hundred pillars of precious stones; one emerald formed the shaft of one pillar, one diamond the capital, and one ruby the pedestal: the intermediate spaces between the pillars were of crystal, one piece between each pillar; so that the inside of the dome was visible from all parts. The architrave was of solid pearl, inlaid with curious emblems, composed of festoons of amethysts, topazes, carbuncles, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and the most sparkling diamonds.

Abudah, though the richest of mankind, was struck with astonishment at the profusion of riches and beauty which he beheld; and entering at one of the four portals, (for the dome had four, one to each quarter of the heavens,) he beheld an ancient Form, seated on a throne, which looked too bright to distinguish what glorious materials it was made of. A great number of crowned heads attended on him : and these were supported by inferior beings, all clad in the most superb vestments. All around the dome were placed, with great beauty and symmetry, numberless heaps of wealth and riches; and the very pavement on which he trod was covered over with tapestry carpet, representing the Riches of the earth, in all their natural colours.

Abudah, as abashed at this amazing magnificence, and beholding such personages within the dome, was retiring; when one of the chief of the attendants, who stood nearest the throne, advancing, beckoned Abudah forward. The merchant obeyed with trembling, and, as he came forward, bowed himself to the ground; which the royal personage perceiving, who sat on the throne, spake thus to him :

"Fear not, Abudah, thou hast ever been a favourite of the Genius of Riches. I am thy friend; and this journey which thou hast undertaken in honour of me, in hopes here to find the talisman of the great | Oromanes, shall not go unrewarded.—And first, lead Abudah,” said he to the genius who had presented the merchant, "through all my stores, and let him view the riches of the earth :-a sight that so many thousands long ardently to enjoy."

The inferior genius obeyed; and, taking Abudah by the hand, he led him toward a royal palace, facing the eastern side of the dome. Here, as Abudah entered the palace, the walls of which were of the purest silver, with windows of crystal, he beheld incredible heaps of that precious metal, all seemingly composed like branches of trees.

"What thou seest here," said the genius, "is trifling; for these heaps which seem to lie on the surface of the ground, really are of the same depth with the centre of the earth: so that of this metal alone there is laid up more in value than all the visible riches of the world."

The genius next carried Abudah to a second palace, built of pure gold, having windows like the first. Here, also, Abudah beheld the like profusion of gold, which, like the silver, continued down to the centre.

Next he was shown, in a huge building of adamant, a cistern filled with the fragments of all manner of precious stones and diamonds.

"These also," said the genius, “are not terminated but by the centre of the earth.-Now," continued he, "as you observed in the two first palaces, the silver and gold are the little branches which drop from the trees of this vegetable valley of riches; for all things on earth are subject to decrease, which are here carefully collected (for the rich are not exempt from toil) and placed in these repositories, the bottoms of which, at the centre of the earth, are grated, and let out sparingly these smaller fragments; so likewise of the jewels, which fall like fruit from the trees, and break into little pieces; these are all thrown together to serve the earth, but none above such a size are admitted, nor indeed could they pass through the grating below. Thus these metals and jewels mixing with the earth, and being diffused in its bowels, are at length stopped by rocks and stones, and so form mines in different parts of the world, each requiring the industry and labour of man, that they may be brought the more sparingly into the world."

Abudah, having viewed these things, returned; and being presented to the genius of Riches,—“Now," said the genius, “bring forth the iron chest, wherein, it is said, the talisman of Oromanes is lodged."

At the command of the genius, ten of an inferior order brought in a huge chest with fifty locks upon it; the chest itself was of iron, and bound round with the strongest bands, which were harder than adamant.-"! "There," said the genius to Abudah, "there is thy reward: return to Bagdat, and live in peace all the days of thy life."

"Must I then," replied Abudah, "O beneficent Genius, carry with me the chest also ? or is it permitted that I take thence the talisman of Oromanes ?"

"Wouldst thou then," replied the genius, "take it from its place of security? Whilst thou dost possess the chest, the talisman is thine own, and the force of man cannot bereave thee of it. Why then should curiosity prevail over security? It is written in the chronicles of time, that he who possesseth the talisman of Oromanes shall be happy: seek not, therefore, to disentangle the talisman from its present state of security, till it fail thee of its promised efficacy. Take, however, these fifty keys: but beware, lest thy curiosity alone tempt thee: for what mortal can say if its refulgence be not too much for man to behold!"

Having thus said, the genius commanded Abudah to lie down on the chest; and immediately his eyes closed, and not till the morning after did he awake, and find himself in a tent, on the plain where he had left his immense caravan: but now he found only forty camels and forty servants to attend him.

Abudah inquired of his servants what became of the riches and attendants that had travelled from Bagdat with him to that plain? but

they could give no answer. They said, indeed, that they had heard of such a caravan, and that they had for some time missed their master from Bagdat; and that, although they went overnight to their rest in his house at Bagdat, they found themselves, with the tents, and forty camels laden with provision, on that plain in the morning; and that, coming into his tent, they saw him sleeping on an iron chest, and had removed him to the sofa.-" And is the chest here?" cried Abudah." Here is, sir," replied the slave that spoke, "an iron chest of prodigious size, and secured with many locks."

Abudah immediately arose; and, though he could not unravel the mysteries of his journey, yet, seeing the chest, and finding the keys, which the genius had given him, he was contented, and ordered them to strike their tents, and begin their march for the city of Bagdat. The chest was by long poles made fast to four camels, which were placed in the centre of the caravan.

The mind of Abudah, though in possession of the chest, was yet not without its apprehensions that the wild Arabs might come down upon his little party, and bereave him of his treasure. The first day, the caravan reached a pool of water, and on its banks the careful Abudah ordered his retinue to pitch their tents, and unload the camels from their burdens; and, at the same time, placed four of his slaves as sentinels, toward the four different quarters of his encampment; and ordered the chest, for the greater security, to be buried in the sand under his tent, while he endeavoured to compose himself for slumber. Nor were his fears unreasonable: for at the hour of midnight a small party of Arabs stole down toward them, in order to encamp there for the benefit of the water. Abudah had notice from his slave, who looked toward the west, of their approach, and was likewise informed that their number was small; but such was his anxiety and irresolution, and fear of losing his treasure or his life, that he dared not order them to be attacked, or prepare for flight. During this ineffectual altercation and struggle of Abudah with his fears, one of the slaves, more daring than the rest, finding his master fearful, encouraged his comrades, and, marshalling them in order, led them toward the robbers.

The Arabs, who were not more than twenty in number, at sight of a force so much superior, turned their backs, and left Abudah's slave in quiet possession of their tents. But now the slave seeing the Arabs flying from before him, and observing the fear of his master, and the great concern he had for the iron chest, addressed himself to the rest of the slaves, and declaring what immense treasures there might lie hid in that chest, seeing their master had left Bagdat to search for it, and had it secured with so many locks, persuaded them to rob Abudah, and depart with the riches to some other country, where they might enjoy the fruits of their rapine. This being easily agreed to, they all in a

body advanced to the tent of Abudah, who came out to meet and thank them for their gallant behaviour.

The bold slave thus made answer to his master's thanks:-"The danger, O Abudah, of defending thy riches, contained in the iron chest with many locks, fell all upon thy slaves; whilst thou, who wert to enjoy the comfort of those riches, didst lie trembling in thy tent. Wherefore we, who have borne the burden, mean also to share the profits with thee; but, that thou mayest see that we are just, one equal share shall be thy portion, and the rest belongs to those who have preserved to thee even the share that will be appointed thee." These words being ended, without any regard to either the threatenings or prayers of Abudah, they dug up the chest; and, having cleared away the sand, demanded of him the keys of the fifty locks.

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Abudah, finding them inexorable, besought them that they would at least give him a day to consider of their proposal. "What!" replied the bold slave, a day? Why, merchant, long ere that will a thousand Arabs be upon us, invited by those that are fled; and we shall suffer death, and you and all entirely lose the valuable possessions which are doubtless contained in that strong chest of iron."

It was in vain that, in return, the merchant assured them that there was nothing therein but a poor talisman, whose virtues they could not know; and promised them all liberty and riches, if they arrived safe in Bagdat with the chest. They had gone too far to trust to his promises; and the slave who was their ringleader, ordering all to retire, left Abudah for half an hour to think of their proposal.

Abudah, as soon as they had left him, threw himself upon the chest, as one who was grasping all that was dear unto him, and, with a loud sigh, began to lament his fate; when, as before, a deep sleep overtaking him, he sunk motionless on his treasure.

At midnight he awaked, and, turning his eyes around, perceived he was in the apartments of his seraglio, in Bagdat, and that his wife was sleeping near him on a sofa. The recollection of his happy escape immediately got possession of his mind: and he doubted not but he should find his chest, as he had before. Wherefore, before he saluted, or indeed thought of his wife, taking one of the sweet-scented lamps, that always were burning in the centre of the apartment, he perceived the chest in the very corner where, before, the box which had caused him so much uneasiness used to remain fixed.

Abudah, now feeling for, and taking out, the fifty keys, thought himself the happiest of mankind. The danger which he conceived the talisman might be in, from lying in a chest so conspicuous, and which he had already experienced, determined him, at all hazards, to unlock with his fifty keys the iron chest, and take the talisman out, and always wear it concealed about him. With this view, he began to try the first key,