nd the physicians of the emperor were alarmed for his celestial
health; by their advice, Chaoukeun consented only to receive him in a
darkened chamber. All was joy. The empire rang with the praises of the
pearl beyond all price. The gaols were ordered to be levelled to the
ground--criminals to be pardoned--the sword of justice to remain in its
scabbard--the bastinado to be discontinued. Even the odious lanthorn-tax
was taken off, in honour of the peerless Chaoukeun, whose praises were
celebrated by all the poets of the country, until they were too hoarse
to sing, and the people too tired to listen to them.

Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

* * * * *

"I'm sure I don't wonder at their being tired," observed the pacha,
yawning, "if they were like you."

"God is great," replied Mustapha, with another yawn. "Shall he proceed?"

"Yes, let him go on; wake me when the story is ended," replied the
pacha, laying down his pipe.

* * * * *

Alas! how soon was all this delirium of happiness to be overthrown: how
soon was the prophecy to be fulfilled, that there should be not only joy
in life, but also sorrow! The magnificent Youantee was roused from his
dream of delight by courier after courier coming in, and laying at the
celestial feet tidings of the advance of the hundred thousand warriors.
A solemn council was summoned, and the imperial edict was passed, that
the barbarians of the north should be driven back to their lands of
eternal frost and snow. The imperial armies departed from the capital,
each individual composing its hundreds of thousands, vowing by his two
tails that he would eat all that he killed. This bloody vow was
accomplished, for they killed none; they returned discomfited, without
their bows, or arrows, or their swords, fleeing before the rage of the
Tartar chief. Then rose the great Youantee in wrath, and issued another
edict that the barbarians should be driven even into the sea which
bounds the empire of the world. And the armies were again sent forth,
but again they returned discomfited, saying, "How can we, who eat rice
with chopsticks, combat with barbarians, who not only ride on horses,
but eat them too?" The celestial edict was not attended to by the
Tartars, for they were barbarians, and knew no better; and they
continued to advance until within one day's progress of the celestial
capital; and the brother of the