held his divans regularly twice every day, and judged so equitably on all appeals brought before him, that his fame for justice and impartiality was soon spread abroad; insomuch, that whoever had a cause or dispute willingly referred it to his decision, and was satisfied with it, praying for his life and prosperity.  In this state he remained for many years, the sovereign pleased with him, and he happy under the protection of the sultan of Cairo, so that he did not regret his abdicated kingdom.

It happened one evening that the mind of the sultan was depressed, upon which he sent for the vizier, who attended; when he said, “Vizier, my mind is so uneasy that nothing will amuse me.”  “Enter then,” replied the minister, “into thy cabinet, and look at thy jewels, the examination of which may perhaps entertain thee.”  The sultan did so, but it had no effect on his lassitude; when he said, “Vizier, this dispiritedness will not quit me, and nothing gives me pleasure within my palace; let us, therefore, walk out in disguise.”  “To hear is to obey,” replied the vizier.  They then retired into a private chamber, and putting on the habits of dervishes of Arabia, strolled through the city till they reached a hospital for lunatics, which they entered.  Here they beheld two men, one reading and the other listening to him; when the sultan said to himself, “This is surprising;” and addressed the men, saying, “Are you really mad?” They replied, “We are not mad, but our stories are so wonderful, that were they recorded on a tablet of adamant, they would remain for examples to them who would be advised.”  “Let us hear them,” said the sultan; upon which, the man who had been reading exclaimed, “Hear mine first!” and thus began.

Story of the First Lunatic.

I was a merchant, and had a warehouse in which were Indian goods of all sorts, and of the highest value, and I bought and sold to great advantage.  One day as I was sitting in my warehouse, according to custom, busy in buying and selling, an old woman came in, telling her beads, and greeted me.  I returned her salute, when she sat down, and said, “Sir, have you any choice Indian cloths?” “Yes, my mistress,” replied I, “of all sorts that you can possibly wish for.”  “Bring them,” said she.  I showed her a piece of great value, with which she was highly pleased, and inquired the price.  “Five hundred deenars,” replied I:  she took out her purse, paid me the money, and went away with the cloth; upon which I had a profit of one hundred and fifty deenars.  She returned the next day, bought another piece, paid for it, and, in short, did the same for fifteen days successively, paying me regularly for each purchase.  On the sixteenth day she came to my shop as usual, chose the cloth and was going to pay me, but missed her purse; upon which she said, “Sir, I have unfortunately left my purse at home.”  “Mistress,” replied I, “it is of no consequence; take the