MADAM,

’I am full of shame, and will never forgive myself if I have not your pardon for what I lately wrote.  It was far from my intention to add trouble to the afflicted; nor could any thing but my being a stranger to you, have betrayed me into a fault, for which, if I live, I shall endeavour to make you amends as a son.  You cannot be unhappy while Amanda is your daughter:  nor shall be, if any thing can prevent it, which is in the power of,

MADAM,

Your obedient humble servant—.’

14.  This letter he sent by his steward, and soon after went up to town himself to complete the generous act he had now resolved on.  By his friendship and assistance, Amanda’s father was quickly in a condition of retrieving his perplexed affairs.  To conclude, he married Amanda, and enjoyed the double satisfaction of having restored a worthy family to their former prosperity, and of making himself happy by an alliance to their virtues.

The Story of Abdallah and Balsora.

GUARDIAN, No. 167.

1.  The following story is lately translated out of an Arabian manuscript, which I think has very much the turn of an oriental tale:  and as it has never before been printed, I question not but it will be highly acceptable to my reader.

2.  The name of Helim is still famous through all the eastern parts of the world.  He is called among the Persians, even to this day, Helim the great physician.  He was acquainted with all the powers of simples, understood all the influence of the stars, and knew the secrets that were engraved on the seal of Solomon the son of David.  Helim was also governor of the black palace, and chief of the physicians to Alnareschin the great king of Persia.

3.  Alnareschin was the most dreadful tyrant that ever reigned in this country.  He was of a fearful, suspicious and cruel nature, having put to death, upon very slight jealousies; and surmises, five-and-thirty of his queens, and above twenty sons whom he suspected to have conspired against his life.  Being at length wearied with the exercise of so many cruelties in his own family, and fearing lest the whole race of Caliphs should be entirely lost, he one day sent for Helim, and spoke to him after this manner.

4.  ‘Helim,’ said he, ’I have long admired thy great wisdom, and retired way of living.  I shall now shew thee the entire confidence which I place in thee.  I have only two sons remaining, who are as yet but infants.  It is my design that thou take them home with thee, and educate them as thy own.  Train them up in the humble unambitious pursuits of knowledge.  By this means shall the line of Caliphs be preserved, and my children succeed after me, without aspiring to my throne whilst I am yet alive.’

5.  The words of my lord the king shall be obeyed, said Helim.  After which he bowed, and went out of the king’s presence.  He then received the children into his own house, and from that time bred them up with him in the studies of knowledge and virtue.  The young princes loved and respected Helim as their father, and made such improvements under him, that by the age of one-and-twenty they were instructed in all the learning of the East.