THE ARABIAN. 27

a feeling which approaches perfection in propor-
tion as it is unmixed with regret. Thus for
instance, the Arab of whom I have just told
you, by the sale of his mare, might have been
raised from poverty to a state of comparative
riches, but if a strong feeling of sorrow for
parting with his horse remained on his mind, the
mere possession of riches would have been very
far from producing happiness; and the same
principle applies to everything else.”’

“‘T wonder how so poor a man had such a
valuable horse, Uncle Thomas.”’

‘‘ Let the Arab be ever so poor, Harry, he
always possesses a horse. In Arabia they
usually ride upon mares, experience having
taught them that they bear fatigue, hunger, and
thirst better than horses. They are also less
vicious, and more gentle. They teach them
hardihood and endurance, by treatment which
would almost ruin any other race. ‘They are
never, says Chateaubriand, ‘ put under shelter,
but left exposed to the most intense heat of the