ation.

"Behold," said he to his divan, "to what a dreadful evil I should have
exposed myself, had I lightly credited the detractions of slander,
and, upon your artful reports, had hastened the punishment which you
so eagerly urged! Go, and be ashamed! Was there one among you all who
supported innocence?"

After these few words, the King retired into his apartments with his
father and brother. He admitted them to a share in all the joys of his
Court, and sent twenty slaves, magnificently dressed, in quest of his
mother. This family, so happily reunited, lived in the blessings of
the most affectionate unity, grateful to the Almighty, and faithful to
the law written by His great Prophet, till the moment when they were
called, by the decree of fate, from this world to a better.

* * * * *

Aladin, having thus finished the history of "Illage Mahomet, or the
Imprudent," added some reflections fitted to make an impression on the
mind of the King, whose attention he had been so fortunate as to
engage.

"Sire!" said he to him, "if the son, when he became a King, had
conducted himself as rashly as the father when he was a minister,
innocence would have been sacrificed to jealousy and ambition, and a
whole family devoted for life to misery and remorse. There is always
something gained by delay. Appearances are equally against me, and
envy hath availed itself of them to make me appear guilty; but I have
Heaven and your wisdom on my side."

When the young man had done speaking, Bohetzad turned towards his
ministers.

"I do not mean," said he, "that crimes should remain unpunished. But
truth, even when it comes from the mouth of an enemy, ought to be
esteemed precious. This criminal hath well remarked, that there can be
nothing lost by taking time to reflect. Let him be carried back to
prison."

The Viziers were enraged. Delay might discover the truth, through the
cloud under which they had concealed it. As they jointly endeavoured
to conceal the stratagems they had devised in secret, the third among
them went early the next day to the palace.

The King inquired if the interval that had elapsed had produced no new
light.

"Sire," replied this minister, "the police which, under your Majesty's
orders, we exercise, maintains the peace of your capital, and all
would be perfectly quiet if the throne were avenged of the outrage of
this son of a villain, whose punishment your Majesty still delay