LADIES' CABINET

OF

FASHION, MUSIC, AND ROMANCE.

CALIPH CHASID.

AN EASTERN TALE.

I.

CHASID, Caliph at Bagdad, sat comfortably upon his sofa, on a beautiful afternoon. He had slept a little, for it was a hot day, and he seemed very cheerful after his nap. He smoked from a long pipe of rose-wood, sipped now and then a little coffee, which a slave poured out for him, and stroked his beard each time contentedly, as though he relished it greatly. It was plain, in short, that the Caliph was in a good humour. About this hour, one could very easily speak with him, for he was always then very mild and affable; on which account, it was the custom of his Grand Vizier, Manzor, to visit him every day about this time. He came indeed, on this afternoon, but he seemed thoughtful, which was very unusual with him. The Caliph took his pipe a little from his mouth, and said: "Grand Vizier, why is thy countenance so troubled?"

The Grand Vizier, crossed his arms over his breast, bowed himself before his lord, and answered: "My lord, whether my countenance is troubled, I cannot say; but below the palace there stands a merchant, who has such fine wares, that I am vexed, because I have so little money to spare.'

The Caliph, who for a long time past had desired to confer a favour upon his Grand Vizier, despatched his blackslave to bring up the merchant. The slave soon returned with him. The merchant was a little stout man, with a dark brown face, and in ragged attire. He carried a chest, in which he had various kinds of wares; pearls and rings, richly inlaid pistols, goblets and combs. The Caliph and his Vizier looked them all over, and the former purchased, at last, some beautiful pistols for himself and Manzor, and a comb for the wife of the Vizier. As the merchant was about to pack up his chest again, FEBRUARY, 1840.

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the Caliph espied a little drawer, and asked, whether there was also merchandise in that. The merchant drew out the drawer, and showed therein a box filled with blackish powder, and a paper with strange writing upon it, which neither the Caliph nor Manzor could read. "I received these things from a merchant, who found them in the streets of Mecca," said he. "I know not what they contain. They are at your service for a trifling price, for I can do nothing with them." The Caliph, who liked to have old manuscripts in his library, even if he could not read them, purchased box and writing, and dismissed the merchant. But it occurred to the Caliph, that he would like to know the meaning of the writing, and he inquired of the Vizier whether he knew any one who could decipher it. "Most worthy lord and master," answered the latter, near the great mosque, there dwells a man who understands all languages; he is called 'Selim the Wise;' send for him; perhaps he can interpret these mysterious characters.'

The learned Selim was soon brought. "Selim," said the Caliph, "they say thou art very learned; peep now into this writing, to see whether thou canst read it; if thou canst, thou shalt have a rich new garment; if thou canst not, thou shalt have twelve blows upon the ear, and five-and-twenty upon the soles of the feet; for in that case, thou art without the right to be called Selim the Wise." " Selim bowed himself and said, 'Thy will be done, my lord." For a long time he considered the writing, then suddenly exclaimed: "That is Latin, my lord; or may I be hanged!" "Say what it means," commanded the Caliph, "if it be Latin."

Selim commenced to translate: "Oh man, thou who findest this, praise Allah for his goodness! Whoever snuffs of the powder of this box, and says thereupon Mutabor,' will have the power to change himself into any animal, and will understand also the language of animals. If he wishes again to return to his human form, he must bow himself three times toward the east. and repeat the same word; but beware, when thou art transformed, that thou laughest not, otherwise the magic word will disappear completely from thy memory, and thou wilt remain a beast."

When Selim the Wise had read this, the Caliph was delighted beyond measure. He made the sage swear that he would disclose the secret to no one, presented him with a rich garment, and dismissed him. But to his Grand Vizier, he said; "That I call a good purchase, Manzor. I can scarcely restrain my delight, until I am a beast. Early to-morrow morn