TAL AK. The Three Princes and

it will immediately restore him to perfect health; and this is done
after the easiest manner in the world, merely by the patient smelling
the apple.’

‘If one may believé you, replied Prince Ahmed, ‘the virtues of
this apple are wonderful, and it is indeed valuable: but what ground
has a plain man like myself, who may wish to become the purchaser,
to be persuaded that there is no deception or exaggeration in the
high praise you bestow on it ?’

‘Sir, replied the crier, ‘the thing is known and eerie by ‘the
whole city of Samarcand; but, without going any further, ask all
these merchants you see here and hear what they say; several of
them would not have been alive this day if they had not made use
of this excellent remedy. It is the result of the study and experience
of a celebrated philosopher of this city, who applied himself all -his
life.to the knowledge of plants and minerals, and at last performed
such surprising cures in this city as will never be forgotten ; but he
died suddenly himself, before he could apply his own sovereign
remedy, and left his wife and a great many young children behind
him in very indifferent circumstances; to support her family, and

- provide for her children, she has resolved to sell it.’

While the crier was telling Prince Ahmed the virtues of the
artificial apple, a great many ‘persons came about them, and con-
firmed what he said; and one among the rest said he had a friend
dangerously ill, whose life was despaired of, which was a favourable

opportunity to show. Prince Ahmed the experiment: Upon which
Prince Ahmed told the crier he would give him forty. purses if he
cured the sick person by letting him smell at it.

The crier, who had orders to sell it at that price, said to Prince
Ahmed, ‘Come, sir, let us go and make the experiment, and the apple
shall be yours; it is an undoubted fact that it will always have
the same effect as it already has had in recovering from death many
sick persons whose life was despaired of,