Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of Bernard Gilpin,
crowding into so small a compass each real concern of life ! How much more nobly doth that person act , who , unmoved by all that the world calls great and happv , can separate appearances / rom realities , attending only to what is just and right ; who , not content with-the closet-attainment of speculative virtue , maintains each worthy resolution that he forms ; persevering steadily , like this good man , in the conscientious discharge of the duties of that station , whatever it is , ia which Providence hath p laced him ' . '
The Khalif And His Visier, An Oriental Apologue.
THE KHALIF AND HIS VISIER , AN ORIENTAL APOLOGUE .
BY WILLIAM BELOE , F . S . A
IT is very well known throughout the East , that Haroon al Rasheedj Khalif of Bagdat , accompanied by Giafar , his favourite visier , frequently Walked through the streets and suburbs of the city by night in disguise . Thus he became acquainted with , and was able to correct various irregularities , which would have escaped the vigilance of his inferior officers of justice . One evening the liht of the moon enabled him to discover beneath
g a portico three men , whose dress and appearance bespoke them to be of middle rank , in close and serious conference . He approached them without being perceived , and heard them making the bitterest exclamations against their evil fortunes , which each , speaking of-himself , declared to be without parallel . " Can any Mussulman , " said the first , " be so great a wretch as I am ? May the prophet never
again favour his chosen tribe , if from morning till night I am not the victim of sorrow and disquietude . I have a neighbour whose only study is to perplex me in my dealings , to injure me in my reputation arid property , and whom Alia seems to have inspired with extraordinary vigour of mind and body , for no other purposes than to counteract my prospects of interest , and designs of pleasure . "—* " Ah , "
said the second , " your condition is indeed pitiable , but how much more sO is mine ? Your days alone are distressing to you ; at night you can recline on your pillow , and find consolation in grateful slumber , forgetting your perplexities , your neighbour , and yourself ; I , on the contrary , have no interval of peace ; my days are harrassing , and my nights worse . Alas ! I have a wife who eternally torments
me ; at my business , my meals , nay , even in my bed , her presence disturbs , and her tongue wounds me ; I live in incessant irritation , and have no hope of tranquillity but in death . "—• " Well , " said the third , " I have patiently listened to you both , but am still convinced , that my causes of affliction are still more aggravating than either or than both of yours . I have an extravagant , profligate , worthless son ; in spite of remonstrance or punishment I have beheld him advance - Vor .. V . N " ¦
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of Bernard Gilpin,
crowding into so small a compass each real concern of life ! How much more nobly doth that person act , who , unmoved by all that the world calls great and happv , can separate appearances / rom realities , attending only to what is just and right ; who , not content with-the closet-attainment of speculative virtue , maintains each worthy resolution that he forms ; persevering steadily , like this good man , in the conscientious discharge of the duties of that station , whatever it is , ia which Providence hath p laced him ' . '
The Khalif And His Visier, An Oriental Apologue.
THE KHALIF AND HIS VISIER , AN ORIENTAL APOLOGUE .
BY WILLIAM BELOE , F . S . A
IT is very well known throughout the East , that Haroon al Rasheedj Khalif of Bagdat , accompanied by Giafar , his favourite visier , frequently Walked through the streets and suburbs of the city by night in disguise . Thus he became acquainted with , and was able to correct various irregularities , which would have escaped the vigilance of his inferior officers of justice . One evening the liht of the moon enabled him to discover beneath
g a portico three men , whose dress and appearance bespoke them to be of middle rank , in close and serious conference . He approached them without being perceived , and heard them making the bitterest exclamations against their evil fortunes , which each , speaking of-himself , declared to be without parallel . " Can any Mussulman , " said the first , " be so great a wretch as I am ? May the prophet never
again favour his chosen tribe , if from morning till night I am not the victim of sorrow and disquietude . I have a neighbour whose only study is to perplex me in my dealings , to injure me in my reputation arid property , and whom Alia seems to have inspired with extraordinary vigour of mind and body , for no other purposes than to counteract my prospects of interest , and designs of pleasure . "—* " Ah , "
said the second , " your condition is indeed pitiable , but how much more sO is mine ? Your days alone are distressing to you ; at night you can recline on your pillow , and find consolation in grateful slumber , forgetting your perplexities , your neighbour , and yourself ; I , on the contrary , have no interval of peace ; my days are harrassing , and my nights worse . Alas ! I have a wife who eternally torments
me ; at my business , my meals , nay , even in my bed , her presence disturbs , and her tongue wounds me ; I live in incessant irritation , and have no hope of tranquillity but in death . "—• " Well , " said the third , " I have patiently listened to you both , but am still convinced , that my causes of affliction are still more aggravating than either or than both of yours . I have an extravagant , profligate , worthless son ; in spite of remonstrance or punishment I have beheld him advance - Vor .. V . N " ¦