296 TWEN'TY-SECOND EVENIRG.

which, by the laws of that country, was the period of
majority for the crown, all the great men of his court,
and the governors of the provinces, according to esta-
blished custom, laid at his feet presents, consisting of
the most costly products of art and nature that they
had been able to procure. One offered a casket of the
most precious jewels of Golconda; another, a curious
piece of clock-work, made by a European artist;
another, a piece of the richest silk from the looms of
China; another, a Bezoar stone, said to be a sovereign
antidote against all poisons and infectious diseases ;
another, a choice piece of the most fragrant rose-wood
in a box of ebony, inlaid with pearls; another, a golden
eruse, full of genuine balsam of Mecca; another, a
courser of the purest breed of Arabia; and another, a
female slave of exquisite beauty. The whole court of
the palace was overspread with rarities; and long
rows of slaves were continually passing loaded with
vessels and utensils of gold and silver, and other articles
of high price.

At length an aged magistrate, from a distant pro-
vince, made his appearance. He was simply clad in a
long cotton robe, and his hoary beard waved on his
breast. He made his obeisance before the young
monarch, and, holding forth an embroidered silken bag,
he thus addressed him :—

“ Deign, great king, to accept the faithful homage
and fervent good wishes of thy servant on this un-
portant day, and with them, the small present I hold
miny hand. Small, indeed, it is in show, but not so,
I trust, in value. Others have offered what may deco-
rate thy person—here is what will impart perpetual
grace and lustre to thy features. Others have pre-
sented thee with rich perfumes—here is what will
nnake thy name sweet and fragrant to the latest ages.
Others have given what may afford pleasure to thine
eyes—here is what will nourish a source of never-
failing pleasure within thy breast. Others have fur-
tushed thee with preservatives against bodily contagion