to deserve that interesting curiosity, it
will at least make known to you, without any doubts, the characters
and the fidelity of your subjects."

At that instant the Peri Malikatada appeared with her whole Court, and
desired the King to pass into a garden, which by her power, and that
of the genii, she had adorned with exquisite taste and magnificence.
Here she honoured the nuptials with her presence, and Nourgehan lived
happily ever afterwards, more happy in the love and counsels of Damake
than in all the talismans upon earth, if he could have joined them to
those which he already possessed.

[Illustration]

The Story of Bohetzad;

OR,

The Lost Child.

[Illustration]

The kingdom of Dineroux comprehended all Syria and the isles of India
lying at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. This powerful State was
formerly subject to King Bohetzad, who resided in the city of
Issessara. Nothing could equal the power of this monarch. His troops
were without number, his treasures inexhaustible, and the population
of his dominions was equal to their fertility. His whole kingdom,
divided into ten great departments, was entrusted to the
administration of ten Viziers, of whom his divan was composed. This
Prince used often to repair to the chase as a recreation after the
cares of government.

One day, while he entered with his usual keenness into this exercise,
he allowed himself to be carried so far in pursuit of a stag which had
darted into the forest, and left his attendants at so great a
distance, that, upon coming out of the wood, he could perceive none of
his people; he had also lost sight of his prey. And while he
endeavoured to find out the east of the place he was in, he perceived
at a distance a pretty large troop of men. He approached them, and as
he drew near he could distinguish a body of forty knights,[11]
surrounding a splendid litter, the brightness of which was heightened
by the rays of the sun. This carriage was made of rock crystal, the
mouldings and hinges were of carved gold, and the roof, in form of a
crown, was made of wood of aloes, having cornices of silver. This
litter resembled in shape a small antique temple, but so brilliant
that the eye was quite dazzled with it. A prodigy of this kind in the
midst of a desert, astonished the King, and at the same time excited
his curiosity. He came up and saluted the convoy, and, addressing his
discourse to the knight who held the reins of the mules,

"