hop of a goldsmith, who had the character of a very fair and honest
man, the goldsmith perceiving him, called to him, and said: "My lad, I
have often observed you go by, loaded as you are at present, and talk
with such a Jew, and then come back again empty-handed. I imagine that
you carry something which you sell to him; but perhaps you do not know
that he is the greatest rogue even among the Jews, and that nobody of
prudence will have anything to do with him. If you will shew me what you
now carry, and it is to be sold, I will give you the full worth of it;
or I will direct you to other merchants who will not cheat you."

The hopes of getting more money for his plate induced Aladdin to pull it
from under his vest, and shew it to the goldsmith, who at first sight
saw that it was made of the finest silver and asked him if he had sold
such as that to the Jew, when Aladdin told him that he had sold him
twelve such, for a piece of gold each. "What a villain!" cried the
goldsmith; "but," added he, "my son, what is past cannot be recalled. By
shewing you the value of this plate, which is of the finest silver we
use in our shops, I will let you see how much the Jew has cheated you."

The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the dish, and after he had
mentioned how much an ounce of fine silver was worth, assured him that
his plate would fetch by weight sixty pieces of gold, which he offered
to pay down immediately. "If you dispute my honesty," said he, "you may
go to any other of our trade, and if he gives you more, I will be bound
to forfeit twice as much!"

Aladdin thanked him for his fair dealing, so greatly to his advantage,
took the gold, and never after went to any other person, but sold him
all his dishes and the tray.

Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure in their
lamp, and might have had whatever they wished for, yet they lived with
the same frugality as before, except that Aladdin dressed better; as for
his mother, she wore no clothes but what she earned by spinning cotton.
After their manner of living, it may easily be supposed that the money
for which Aladdin had sold the dishes and tray was sufficient to
maintain them for some time.

During this interval, Aladdin frequented the shops of the principal
merchants, where they sold cloth of gold and silver, linens, silk
stuffs, and jewelry, and oftentimes joining in their conversation,
acquired a knowledge of the world, and respectable dem