her, while tears hung in his eyes, perhaps from a presentiment,
for I have never seen him since.

Our voyage was favorable; we soon reached the land of the Franks, and
six days' journey brought us to the large city, Paris. Here my French
friend hired me a room, and advised me to be prudent in spending my
money, which amounted to two thousand thalers. In this city I lived
three years, and learned all that a well-educated physician should
know. I would be speaking falsely, however, if I said that I was very
happy, for the customs of the people pleased me not; moreover, I had
but few good friends among them, but these were young men of
nobility.

The longing after my native land at length became irresistible; during
the whole time I had heard nothing from my father, and I therefore
seized a favorable opportunity to return home. There was going an
embassy from France to the Supreme Porte: I agreed to join the train
of the ambassador as surgeon, and soon arrived once more at Stamboul.

My father's dwelling, however, I found closed, and the neighbors,
astonished at seeing me, said that my father had been dead for two
months. The priest, who had instructed me in youth, brought me the
key. Alone and forsaken, I entered the desolate house. I found all as
my father had left it; but the gold which he promised to leave to me,
was missing. I inquired of the priest respecting it, and he bowed and
said:

"Your father died like a holy man, for he left his gold to the
Church!"

This was incomprehensible to me; nevertheless, what could I do? I had
no proofs against the priest, and could only congratulate myself that
he had not also looked upon the house, and wares of my father, in the
light of a legacy. This was the first misfortune that met me; but after
this came one upon another. My reputation as a physician would not
extend itself, because I was ashamed to play the quack; above all, I
missed the recommendation of my father, who had introduced me to the
richest and most respectable families; but now they thought no more of
the poor Zaleukos. Moreover, the wares of my father found no sale, for
his customers had been scattered at his death, and new ones came only
after a long time. One day, as I was reflecting sorrowfully upon my
situation, it occurred to me that in France I had often seen countrymen
of mine, who travelled through the land, and exposed their goods at the
market-places of the cities: I recollected that people gladl