The young man likewise shewed me many civilities, and asked me to accompany him to the bath.  Accordingly we went together, and when his attendants had undressed him, I perceived he wanted the right hand, and that it had not long been cut off, which had been the occasion of his disorder, though concealed from me; for while the people about him were applying proper remedies externally, they had called me to prevent the ill consequence of the fever which was on him.  I was much surprised and concerned on seeing his misfortune; which he observed by my countenance.  “Doctor,” cried he, “do not be astonished that my hand is cut off; some day or other I will tell you the cause; and in that relation you will hear very surprising adventures.”

After we had returned from the bath, we sat down to a collation; and he asked me if it would be any prejudice to his health if he went and took a walk out of town in the governor’s garden?  I made answer, that the air would be of service to him.  “Then,” said he, “if you will give me your company, I will recount to you my history.”  I replied I was at his command for all that day.  Upon which he presently called his servants, and we went to the governor’s garden.  Having taken two or three turns there, we seated ourselves on a carpet that his servants had spread under a tree, which gave a pleasant shade.  The young man then gave me his history in the following terms;

I was born at Moussol, of one of the most considerable families in the city.  My father was the eldest of ten brothers, who were all alive and married when my grandfather died.  All the brothers were childless, except my father; and he had no child but me.  He took particular care of my education; and made me learn every thing proper for my rank.

When I was grown up, and began to enter into the world, I happened one Friday to be at noon-prayers with my father and my uncles in the great mosque of Moussol.  After prayers were over, the rest of the company going away, my father and my uncles continued sitting upon the best carpet in the mosque; and I sat down by them.  They discoursed of several things, but the conversation fell insensibly, I know not how, upon the subject of travelling.  They extolled the beauties and peculiar rarities of some kingdoms, and of their principal cities.  But one of my uncles said, that according to the uniform report of an infinite number of voyagers, there was not in the world a pleasanter country than Egypt, on account of the Nile; and the description he gave infused into me such high admiration, that from that moment I had a desire to travel thither.  Whatever my other uncles said, by way of preference to Bagdad and the Tigris, in calling Bagdad the residence of the Mussulmaun religion, and the metropolis of all the cities of the earth, made no impression upon me.  My father joined in opinion with those of his brothers who had spoken in favour of Egypt; which filled me with joy.  “Say what you will,”