guished officer in the palace, where his
conduct gained the complete esteem and confidence of his Sovereign.
This Prince, to whom Heaven had not granted children, thought he could
not do his people a greater service than by adopting the youth, whom
fortune had thrown into his arms. His choice was applauded by the
whole Court, and confirmed by the divan. The people were happy, and
the abilities of the young Prince soon placed him in the number of the
most valiant Kings of Asia. Age and infirmities rendered the King
unable to support the weight of the government, and he abdicated the
sceptre in favour of his adopted son. He saw him married, and thus
terminating his career of glory, calmly resigned his life into the
hands of his Creator.

The young Sovereign, bewailing the loss of his benefactor, gave
himself up to the justest sorrow. He wished to fulfil the duties of
gratitude and piety, and summoned his divan, that he might honour the
ashes of his predecessor by prayers and solemn ceremonies. The people
repaired to the mosques. The Imam, the Nabib, the dervishes, and all
those who serve at them, paid to his memory the homage which was due
to it. He caused many alms to be distributed among the poor and
through all the hospitals of the kingdom. These religious duties early
announced the wisdom of his government, and they were not proved false
by the event. He was always a just and active King, and governed his
people with the affection of a father.

In this manner did fortune snatch from the fury of the waves one of
the Vizier's children, to raise him to the summit of greatness. But
this unhappy father continued to grieve for the loss of his two sons,
until, in one of the islands where he had his residence, he heard the
Dellal proclaim, with a loud voice, that there was a young slave to
be sold, and that the curious were invited to come and examine him.
Illage stopped, looked at the young man, and, constrained by a feeling
of which he knew not the cause, he determined to purchase him.

The figure of this stranger had attractions which he could not resist.
His age corresponded to that of one of his own children; and if the
beauty of his features was a true indication of the virtues of his
mind, he hoped he would supply the place of one of those whom he had
lost. He returned home with his new purchase.

His wife, who perceived them at a distance, recognized the youth, and
was about to throw herself into his arms, but san