he sent for the Vixier, caused the Fakeer to be called, and, with great veneration, caused him to be seated upon a throne. In short, as soon as the princess was brought, and set before him, the Fakeer, taking the bundle of pearls out of his wallet, put them into her hand, saying to her at the same time, Sister, take them!' On hearing this, the Emperor put his finger between his teeth, and said to the Fakeer,- Great Sir! what is that you said?" The Fakeer answered,- Your honour! I have spoken the truth.' The Emperor then asked,'What was the demand you made ?' He replied,

6

Please your honour, there is no answer necessary to my demand. It merely appeared agreeable in the Fakeer's sight to make trial of a certain matter, and that he has accomplished. Over the gate of your city it is written, that "THE BOLDNESS OF MEN IS THE HELP OF GOD." This, in the Fakeer's

opinion, seemed to be a lie.

But so it is not; the

person has, indeed, written what is true.' So saying, the Fakeer took his departure from that place."

"When I had finished this long story," continued

Bikram, "I was not a little mortified, on looking

around, to perceive that my audience, not even excepting Omeed and the venerable Fakeer himself, were, in fact, all fast asleep."

I am,

Most excellent Wilfred,

Your ever-faithful friend,

ISHMAEL NOBILIUS OLEAnder.

Alexandria, 9th of the month Adar,

in the year 5585.*

i. e. 6th March, 1825.-ED.

L'ENVOI.

THUS far, kind Reader, have we followed the manuscript of the Rabbi. What is here given may serve as a specimen of what is intended, viz. "to form an amusing Oriental Miscellany and pleasant Tyro's Guide to Orientalism." The subject is almost unbounded; as it embraces, nearly, the whole field of Oriental Literature. Shall this, as it is the first, be also the last volume of our undertaking? Or shall there be another volume? Or, perhaps, an Annual? These are questions for the Public to decide. I was told by the booksellers, who are known to be wise in their generation, that the work could not succeed, because Oriental Literature is not popular in this country. But why should it not be rendered popular? Germany and France have done much for Orientalism; and in the latter country especially it has been long decidedly popular. And why not in Britain? Is it because Britain is the only nation in the world that is well paid

for her Orientalism, and has, at present, not less than 100 millions of Orientals under her dominion? Or, is it because there is nothing in Oriental Literature that can ever become popular? This is absurd. Therefore, should this undertaking prove abortive, as it is, no doubt, true, that

"The best laid schemes o' mice and men,
Gang aft a-gley,"-

I shall be inclined to attribute the cause of failure rather to the Rabbi's manner of handling the subject, than to the want of interest in the subject itself. Our next Volume,-should there be one,— will contain the remainder of the "Story of the Rajpoot," as well as the Rabbi's own adventures in India. Meantime, courteous Reader,—and still more courteous Subscriber, which last denomination I am bound, in gratitude, to acknowledge, includes some of the highest names in Britain,-allow me to say, in the words of the noble and unfortunate Bard,

"Fare thee well,-and if for ever,
Still for ever,-fare thee well."

LIST

OF

ORIENTAL WORDS, PHRASES, PROPER NAMES, &c.

Explanations of which are to be found in the foregoing pages.