66 Be | The Three Princes: and

 

more surprised when he came: to judge of the wealth of the whole
kingdom by considering that except the Brahmins and ministers of
the idols, who profess a life retired from worldly vanity, there was not
an Indian, man or woman, through the extent of that kingdom, who
did not wear necklaces, bracelets, and ornaments about their legs and
feet, made of pearls and other precious stones.

Another thing Prince Houssain particularly admired was the
great number of rose-sellers, who crowded the streets ; for the Indians
are such lovers of that flower, that-not one will stir without a nosegay
in his hand, or a garland on his head ; and the merchants keep them
in pots in their shops, so that the air of the whole quarter, however
large, is perfectly perfumed.

After Prince Houssain had run through the eater street by
street, his thoughts fully occupied by. the riches he had seen, he was
very much tired, and a merchant civilly invited him.to sit down in his
shop. He accepted the offer; but had not been seated long before
he saw a crier pass by with a piece of carpet-on his arm, about six
feet square, and cry it at thirty purses. The prince called to the crier,
and asked. to see the carpet, which seemed to him to be valued at an
exorbitant price, not only for its size, but the meanness of the stuff.
When he had examined it well, he told the:crier that he could not
comprehend how so small and poor a piece could be priced so high. |

The crier, who took him for a merchant, replied, ‘Sir, if this price
seems so extravagant to you, your amazement will be- greater when I
tell you I have orders to raise it to forty purses, and not to part with
it for less.’

‘Certainly,’ answered Prince Houssain, ‘it must’ have Comeaae
very extraordinary about it, which I know nothing of.’

‘You have guessed right, sir, replied the crier, ‘and will own

as much when you come to know that whoever sits on this piece of

carpet may be transported in an instant wherever he desires to go
without being stopped by any obstacle.’