ortune, than his face
became inflamed with anger, and he cried out in a rage: "This sorry
tailor's son has discovered the secret and virtue of the lamp! I
believed his death to be certain; but find that he enjoys the fruit of
my labour and study! I will, however, prevent his enjoying it long, or
perish in the attempt." He was not a great while deliberating on what he
should do, but the next morning mounted a barb, set forward, and never
stopped but to refresh himself and his horse, till he arrived at the
capital of China. He alighted, took up his lodging in a khan, and stayed
there the remainder of the day and the night.

The next day, his first object was to inquire what people said of
Aladdin; and, taking a walk through the town, he went to the most public
and frequented places, where persons of the best distinction met to
drink a certain warm liquor, which he had drunk often during his former
visit. As soon as he had seated himself, he was presented with a cup of
it, which he took; but listening at the same time to the discourse of
the company on each side of him, he heard them talking of Aladdin's
palace. When he had drunk off his liquor, he joined them, and taking
this opportunity, inquired particularly of what palace they spoke with
so much commendation. "From whence come you?" said the person to whom he
addressed himself; "you must certainly be a stranger not to have seen or
heard talk of Prince Aladdin's palace. I do not say," continued the man,
"that it is one of the wonders of the world, but that it is the only
wonder of the world; since nothing so grand, rich, and magnificent was
ever beheld. Go and see it, and then judge whether I have told you more
than the truth." "Forgive my ignorance," replied the African magician;
"I arrived here but yesterday from the farthest part of Africa, where
the fame of this palace had not reached when I came away. The business
which brought me hither was so urgent, that my sole object was to arrive
as soon as I could, without stopping anywhere, or making any
acquaintance. But I will not fail to go and see it, if you will do me
the favour to show me the way thither."

The person to whom the African magician addressed himself took a
pleasure in showing him the way to Aladdin's palace, and he got up and
went thither instantly. When he came to the palace, and had examined it
on all sides, he doubted not but that Aladdin had made use of the lamp
to build it. Without attending to th