Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 14) (1877 11 30)
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7 ei a an a Copyrighted in 1877, by BEADLE AND ADAMs. ew § ULI = = ri MI mm +S NY ~ X CA. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. THE WONDERFUL LAMP. In the capital of one of the largest and richest kingdoms of China, the name of which I do not recollect, there lived a tailor, whose name was Mustapha, without any other distinction but that which his profes- sion afforded him; and so poor, that he could hardly, by his daily labor, maintain himself and family, which consisted of a wife and son.. His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up after a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many bad hab- its. Whea he was old en- ough to. learn a_ trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and showed him how to use his nee- dle; but neither good words nor the fears of chastisement were capa- ble of fixing his lively genius. All that his fa- ther could do to. keep him at, home to mind his work was in vain; for no sooner was his back turn- ed, when Aladdin was gone for that day. Mus- tapha chastised him, but Aladdin was incorrigible; his father, to his great grief, was forced to aban- don ‘him’ to his evil courses; and was so much troubled at not being able to reclaim him, that. it threw him into a fit of sickness, of which he died jn a few months. The mother of: Alad- din, finding that her son would not follow his fa- ther’s business, shut ‘up the shop, sold off the im- plements of that trade, and, with the money she got for them, and what she could get by spin- ning cotton, thought to maintain herself and her son. Aladdin, who was no longer restrained by the fear of a father, and Z Nn, fe in) NVA: yl y : st mt of ne Pay Zhe 3) \\ who cared so little for his mother, that whenever she chid him he would fly in her face, gave himself entirely over to a life of indolence, and was never out of the streets or away from his companions. In this situ- ation, he was one day playing, according to custom, in an alley, with his vagabond troop, when a stranger, passing by, stood still to observe him. The stranger was a famous magician, called the African magician; and by that name I shall call him with the more pro- priety, as he was a native of Africa, and had been but two days arrived from thence. il ] : Nf, ( \ { v > >> a Mivcnch a / ? | LN SECURING THE LAMP. ————— nee When the African magician, who was a good physiognomist, had observed in Alad- din’s countenance something which was ab- solutely necessary for the execution of the design he came about, he inquired artfully about his family, who he was, and what were his inclinations; and, when he had learnt all he desired to know, he went up to him, and taking him aside from his com- rades, said to him, “ My lad, was not your father called Mustapha the tailor?—“ Yes, sir,” answered Aladdin; “ but he has been dead a Jong time.” At these words, the African magician threw his arms about Aladdin’s neck, and kissed him. several times with tears in his eyes. Alad- din, who observed his tears, asked him what made him weep. “ Alas! my dear boy,” cried the African magician, with a sigh, “how can I for- bear? I am your uncle; your good father was my own brother.” Then he asked Aladdin, putting his hand into his purse, where his mother lived; and, as soon as Aladdin had informed him, he gave him a handful of small money, saying to him, “Go, my child, to hehed mother; give my ove to her, and tell her that I will come and see her to-morrow, if I have time, that I. may have the satisfaction of seeing where my good brother lived so long, and ended his days.” As soon as the African magician left his new- adopted nephew, Aladdin ran to his mother, over- joyed at the money his uncle had given him. “ Mother,” said he, “ have Tan uncle?”—* No, child,” replied his mother; “ you have no uncle by your father’s side or mine.”— “I am just now, come,” answered Aladdin, ‘from a man who says he is my uncle by my father’s side, assuring me that he is his brother. He cried and kissed me, when I told him my father was dead; and to show you that what I tell you is truth,” added he, pulling
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2 out the money, “see what he has given me; he charged me to give his love to you, and to tell you, if he has any time to-morrow, he will come and pay you a visit.” The mother and son talked no more then of the African magician; but the next day, Aladdin’s pretended uncle found him play- ing in another part of the city with other children. Embracing him as before, he put two pieces.of gold into his hand, and said to him, “ Carry, this, child, to your mother, and tell her that I will come and see her to- night, and bid her get us something for supper; but first show me the house where you live.” After Aladdin had showed the African magician the house, he carried the two pieces of gold to his mother. When he had told her of his uncle’s intention, she went out and bought provisions; and, considering she wanted various vessels, she went and bor- rowed them of her neighbors. In the even- ing somebody knocked at the door, which ‘Aladdin immediately opened; and the ma- gician came in, laden with wine and all sorts of fruits, which he had brought for a dessert. After the African magician had given what he brought into Aladdin’s hands, he saluted the mother, and desired her to show him the place where his brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa; and when she had done so, he fell down and kissed it several times, crying out, with tears in his eyes, “My poor brother! how unhappy am I, not to have come soon enough to give you one last embrace!’ Aladdin’s mother desired him to sit down in the same place, but he would not. “No,” said he, ‘I shall take care how I do that; but give me leave to sit here over opposite to it, so that, if I am de- prived of the satisfaction of seeing the mas- | ter of a family so dear to me, I may at least have the pleasure of seeing the place where he used to sit.” Aladdin’s mother pressed him no further, but left him at his liberty to sit where he pleased. When the magician had made choice of a place, and sat down, he began to enter into discourse with Aladdin’s mother: telling her not to be surprised at not knowing him, as he had been forty years absent from that part of the country. He then inquired all particulars relating to his brother; which Aladdin’s mother answered to his satisfuc- tion. He also asked what trade or calling AJaddin was following; but his mother gave such a sorry account of her son, that the uncle pretended to be quite shocked at him. The magician said, since Aladdin did not like work, he would take a shop and furnish it for him with all kinds of rich silks and brocades, which greatly pleased Aladdin. After partaking of the supper, and promis- ing to call again the next day, the magician took leave of the mother and son, and de- parted. He came again, the next day, as he prom- ised, and took Aladdin with him, saying he would buy him a suit of clothes: which he did, clothing him from head to foot in a very rich dress, which made Aladdin almost be- side himself with joy. The magician then took Aladdin about the city, showing him all that was worth seeing, and treating him with cakes and fruit. Toward evening, the magician took Aladdin home; and, when his mother saw him in his new dress, she was quite delighted, and returned the magi- cian many thanks for his kindness. The magician said that Aladdin was a good boy, aitnd ie thought that he would yet do very well. “But,” said the magician, “I am sorry for one thing, which is, that I cannot perform to-morrow what I promised, be- cause it is Friday, and the shops will be shut up, and therefore we cannot hire or furnish one; we will let it stand over till Saturday. But I will call on him to-morrow, and take him to walk in the gardens, where people of the highest fashion generally congregate.” Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. The African magician then took his leave of the mother and son, and retired. Aladdin rose early in the morning and dressed himself, to be ready for his uncle; and, when he saw him coming, he took ‘ore he magician caressed Aladdin, saying, ‘*‘ Come along, my dear child, and I will show you Then he led him out at one of the gates of the city, to some large of his mother and ran to meet -him. fine things.” houses, or rather palaces, to each of which belonged beautiful gardens. passed, until they got a considerable they he magician then distance from the clty. sat down, and pulled out some cakes and fruit, of which he and Aladdin partook. They then pursued their journey, the magi- cian telling Aladdin that they had not much further to go. time longer, Aladdin complained of being tired, when the magician encouraged him by telling him that they had but a few steps further to go. At last they came between two mountains, of moderate hight, and equal size, divided by a narrow valiéy. This was the place to which the magician intended to bring Alad- din, in order to put into execution a certain design that had brought him from Africa to China. “ We will go no further now,” said he to Aladdin. ‘‘ I will show you here some very extraordinary things, and which no- body ever saw before, so that when you have seen them, you will thank me. I strike a light, do you gather up all the loose sticks you can see, to kindle a fire with.” Aladdin found there so many dried sticks, that before the magician had lighted a match, he had gathered up a large heap. The magician at once set them on fire, and when they were all in a blaze, the magician threw in some incense he had about him, which raised a cloud of smoke: this he dis- persed on each side, by pronouncing several magical words, Which Aladdin did not un- derstand. At the same time, the earth trembled a little, and opened just before the magician and Aladdin, and discovered a stone about half a yard square, laid horizontally, with a brass ring fixed to the middle of it, to raise it up by. Aladdin was so frightened at what he saw, tbat he would have run away. When the magician saw that he was come to himself, he said to him, ‘‘ You see what I have done by virtue of my invense and the words I pronounced. Know, then, that in a cavern under this stone there is hidden a treasure, which is destined to be yours, and which will make you richer than the great- est monarch in the world. This is so true; that no other person is permitted to touch this stone, and to pull it up and go down into the cavern; for I am forbid even to touch it, or set foot in the vault when it is opened; so you must, without fail, punc- tually execute what I tell you, for it isa matter of great consequence both to you and me.” Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and all he heard the magician say of the treasure which was to make him happy forever, said, ‘Well, uncle, what is to be done? Com- mand me; I am ready to obey you.”—“ lam overjoyed, child,” said the African magician, embracing him, “ to see you take the resolu- tion. Come, take hold of the ring, and lift up that stone.’ Aladdin did as the magi- cian bade him, and raised the stone with a great deal of ease. When the stone was pulled up, there ap- peared a cavity of about three or four feet deep, with a little door, and steps to go down lower. “Observe, my dear boy,” said the African magician, “ what I am about to say to you. Go down into that cave, and, when you are at the bottom of those steps, you will find a door open, which will lead you into a large vaulted place, divided into They kept walking on, the magician diverting Alad- din, by showing him all the fine things that After they had walked some But, while. three great halls, in each of which you will see four large brass vessels placed on either side, full of geld and silver, but take care you do not meddle with them. Before you go into the first hall, be sure you tuck up the skirt of your dress, and wrap it well about you, then go through the second in- to the third, without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do not touch the walls, so much as with your clothes; for, if you do, you will dieinstantly. At the end of the third hall, you will find a door which leads into a po i planted with fine trees laden with fruit; walk directly across the garden by a path which will lead you to five steps; these will bring you upon a terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche alighted lamp. Take the lamp down, and putit out; when you have thrown away the wick, and poured out the liquor, put it in your breast, and bring ittome. Do not be afraid that the liquor will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil, and the lamp will be dry as soon as it is thrown out. If you have a fancy for any of the fruit of the gar- den, you may gather as much as you please.” After these words, the magician drew a ring off his finger and put it upon one of Aladdin’s, telling him that it was a preserva- tive against all evil, while he observed what he had prescribed to him. After this instruction, he said, “ Go down boldly, child, and we shall both be rich all our lives.” Aladdin jumped into the cave, went down the steps, and found the three halls just as the African magician had described them. He went through them with all the precaution which the fear of death could inspire, if he failed to observe all that he was told; he crossed the garden without stopping, took down the lamp from the niche, threw out the wick and the liquor, and, as the magician told -him, put it in his bosom. But as he came down from the terrace again, he stopped in the garden to admire the fruit, with which the trees were laden, and which were of different colors. Some trees bore fruit entirely white, and some clear and transparent as crystal; some were of pale red and others of deep crimson ; some green, some blue, purple, or yellow : in a word, there were fruits of all colors. But in reali- ty they were pearls, diamonds, rubies, eme- ralds, turquoises, sapphires, and amethysts. Aladdin was utterly ignorant of their value, and would have preferred figs and grapes. But though he took them for colored glass, he nevertheless thought them so pretty that he secured as large a‘ quantity as he could about his person. Aladdin returned through the three halls with the same precaution, and made all the haste he could, that he might not keep his uncle waiting; and he soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the African ma- gician awaited him with the utmost impa- tience. As soon as Aladdin saw him, he cried out, “ Pray, uncle, lend me your hand to help me out.”—“ Give me the lamp first,” replied the magician; ‘‘ it will be trouble- some to you.”—“ Indeed, uncle,” answered Aladdin, “‘I cannot now; it is not trouble- some to me; but I will as soon as I am up.” The African magician was so obstinate, that he would have the Jamp before he would help him out ; and Aladdin refused to give it him till he was out of the cave. The African magician, provoked at this obstinate refusal of the Jad, flew into a terrible passion, and threw a little of his incense into the fire, which he took care to keep in; and no soon- er had he pronounced two magical words ere the stone which had closed the mouth of the cave, moyed into its place, with the earth over it, in the same manner as it lay at the moment of the arrival of the magician and Aladdin. , This action of the African magician’s plain- ly showed him to be neither Aladdin’s uncle, nor Mustapha the tailor’s brother, but a true African, a native of that part of the wonld.
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For, as Africa is a country whose inhabit- ants delight more in magic than any other nation on earth, he had applied himself to it from his youth ; and, after about forty years’ experience in enchantments, he had found out that there was in the world a wonderful lamp, the possession of which would render him more powerful than any monarch in the ' universe, if he could only obtain it; and, by a late operation of geomancy, he found out that this lamp lay concealed in a subterrane- ous place in the midst of China, in the very spot and under all the circumstances above described. Fully persuaded of the truth of this discovery, he set out from the furthest part of Africa, and, after a long and fatigu- ing journey, came to the city nearest to this treasure. But, though he had a certain knowledge of the place where the lamp was, he was not permitted to take it himself, nor to enter the subterraneous place where it was, but must receive it from the hands of another person. . For this reason, he had ad- dressed himself to Aladdin, whom he looked upon as a young lad of no consequence, and fit to serve his purpose; resolving, as soon as he got the lamp into his hands, to sacrifice poor Aladdin to his avarice and wickedness, by making the fumigation mentioned before, and pronouncing those two magical words, the effect of which was to remove the stone into its place again, that he might have no witness of the transaction. : But his too great precipitation in executin his wicked intention on poor Aladdin, an his fear lest somebody should come that way during this dispute, and discover what he wished to keep secret, produced an effect quite contrary to what he proposed to him- self. When the African magician saw that all his great hopes were frustrated forever, he set out that same day on his return to Africa; but he went quite round the city, and at some distance from it, for fear lest any per- son who had seen him walk out with the boy, should wonder that he now came back without him, and entertain suspicions that might prove disagreeable. ccording to all appearances, there was no prospect of Aladdin Rose any more heard of. But the magician, when he meditated his death, had forgotten the ring he put on his finger, and which was destined to pre- serve him, though the youth knew not its virtue at the time. When he found himself buried alive, he called out to his uncle, to tell him he was ready to give him the lamp; Qut all in vain, since his cries could not be heard; and he retnained in this dark abode. Aladdin continued in this state for two days, without eating or drinking; and, on the third day, he looked upon death as in- evitable. Clasping his hands with an entire resignation to the will of Heaven, he said, “There is no strength or power but in the great and high God.” In this action of join- ing his hands, he rubbed the ring which the magician had put on his finger, and of which the lad knew not as yet the virtue ; but im- mediately a genie of an enormous size and frightful iook, rose out of the earth, his head reaching the vault, and said to him, ‘“ What wouldst thou have with me? Iam ready to obey thee as.thy slave, and .the slave of all who have the ring which is on thy finger ; I, and the other slaves of that ring.” At another time, Aladdin, who was not ac- customed to such visions, would have been so frightened, that he would not have been able to speak at the sight of such an extra- ordinary figure; but the danger he was in made him answer, without hesitation, ‘‘ Who- ever thou art, deliver me from this place, if thou art able.” He had no sooner made an end of these words, but the earth opened, and he found himself on the very spot where the magician first brought him. It was some time before Aladdin’s eyes could bear the light, after having been so Aladdin. deavored by degrees to support it, and began to look about him, he was very much sur- prised to find the earth open, and could not comprehend how he had got so soon out of its bowels. Turning toward the town, he perceived it in the midst of the gardens that surrounded it, and knew the road by which the magician had brought him; then, ren- dering God thanks to see himself once again in the world, where he never more expected to be, he made the best of his way home. When he got within his mother’s door, the joy he felt to see her, and his faintness for want of sustenance for three days, overcame him, and he remained for a long time insen- sible. As soon as he recovered, the first words he spoke, were, ‘Pray, mother, give me something to eat, for I have not put a morsel of anything into my mouth these three days.” His mother brought what she had, and set it before him. “ My son,” says she, ‘* be not too eager, for it is dangerous; eat a little at a time, and take care of your- self.” Aladdin took his mother’s advice, and ate and drank moderately. When he had done, “Mother,” said he to her, “I cannot help complaining of you, for abandoning me so easily to the discretion of a man who had a design to kill me, and who, at this very mo- ment, thinks my death certain. You be- lieved he was my uncle; but I must tell you, mother, he is a rogue, and a cheat, and only behaved with so much seeming kindness, and made me all those fine promises, to accom- plish my destruction. ou shall judge of it yourself, when you have heard all that has passed, from the time I left you.” Then Aladdin began to tell his mother all that had happened to him since Friday, when the magician took him to see the palaces and gardens about the city; how they came to the place between the two mountains, where the great prodigy was to be performed ; how, with incense which the magician threw into the fire, and some magical words he pro- nounced, the earth opened, and discovered a cave, Which led to an inestimable treasure ; how he went down to fetch the lamp; and how, when he would not give it to the ma- gician, he caused him to be buried alive in the cavern, Aladdin’s mother heard with so much patience as not to interrupt him in this surprising and wonderful relation, notwithstanding it could be no small affliction to a parent who loved her son tenderly; but yet, in the most moving part, which discovered the per of the At- rican magician, she could not help showing, by marks of the greatest indignation, how much she detested’ him ; and when Aladdin had finished his story, she broke out into a thousand reproaches against that vile im- tor. Aladdin, who had not enjoyed a wink of sleep while he was in the subterraneous abode, slept very heartily all that night, and never awoke till the next morning; when, the first thing that he said to his mother was, that he wanted something to eat, and that she could not do him a greater pleasure than to give him his breakfast. ‘‘ Alas! child,’ said she, ‘‘I have nota bit of bread to give you; you ate up all the provisions I had in the house, yesterday.”—‘‘ Mother,” replied Aladdin, “ give me the lamp I brought home yesterday ; 1 will go and sell it,.and the money I shall get for it will serve both for breakfast and dinner, and perhaps supper too.” Aladdin’s mother took the lamp, and said to her son, “ Here it is, but it is very dirty; if it were a little cleaner, I believe it would bring something more.’ She took a litle fine sand and water to clean it; but had ho sooner begun to rub it, when in an instant a hideous genie, of gigantic size, appeared be- fore her, and said to her, in a voice like thun- der, “What wouldst thou have? I am long in total darkness; but, when he had ene | ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their 3 hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp.” Aladdin’s mother was not able to speak at the sight of this frightful genie, but fainted away; whereupon Aladdin, without losing time for 1eflection, snatched the lamp out of his mother’s hands, and said to the genie boldly, ‘‘ lam hungry ; bring me something to eat.” The genie disappeared immediate- ly, and in an instant returned with a large sil- ver tray on his head, and twelve covered dish- es of the same metal, which contained some excellent viands; there were six large white loaves on two other plates, and two. bottles of wine, and two silver cups. All these things he placed upon a table, and disap- peared ; and all this was done before Alad- din’s mother came out of her swoon, Aladdin. went at once and fetched some water, and threw it in her face to recover her; this brought her to life again, and it was not long before she came to herself, “ Mother,” said Aladdin, ‘‘ donot be alarmed, but get up, and come and eat; here is what will put you in spirits, and at the same time satisfy my extreme hunger ; do not let such fine dishes be cold, but attack them!” His mother was very much surprised to see the great tray, twelve plates, six loaves, and the two bottles and cups, and. to smell the delicious odor which exhaled from the dishes, “Child,” said she to Aladdin, “to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and liberality? Has the Sultan been made ac- quainted with our poverty, and had compas- sion onus ?”’—“ It is no matter, mother,” re- plied Aladdin ; ‘‘let us sit down andeat; for you have almost as much need of a good breakfast as myself. _When we have done, I will tell you all.” . Accordingly both mother and.son sat down, and ate with the better ap- petite, as the table was so well furnished. Af- ter they had eaten a hearty breakfast, Alad- din told his mother how the lamp lad been the means of providing such a delicious re- past. By the next night, they had consumed all the provisions which the genie had brought; and, the next day, Aladdin, who could not bear the thoughts of hunger, took one of the silyer dishes under his coat, and went out early to sell it. Addressing himself to a Jew, whom he met in the streets, he took him aside, and, producing the plate, asked him if he would buy it. he cunning. Jew took the dish and examined it; and no sooner found it was good, silver, but he drew a piece of gold out of his purse, and gave it to the lad, though it was but the six- tieth part of the worth of the plate. Alad- din took the money very eagerly, and put it in his pocket. Calling at a baker’s, he purchaged a loaf, changed the gold, and went home. He gave the rest of the money to his mother, who went and bought provisions enough to last them some time, After this manner they lived, till Aladdin had sold the twelve dishes, one at a time, to the Jew, for the same sum; for, after the first time, the cun- ning Israelite dared not offer him less, for fear of losing so good a customer. When he had sold the last dish, he had recourse to the tray, which weighed ten times as much as the dish, and he would have earried it to the old purchaser, but that it was too large and cumbersome. Therefore he was obliged to bring him home with him to his mother’s, where, after the Jew had examined the weight of the tray, he laid down ten pieces of gold, with which Aladdin was very well satisfied. They lived on these ten pieces, in a aes, 4 manner, @ long while; and Aladdin, who had so long been used -to an idle life, left off playing with young lads of his own age, ever since his adventure with the African magician. When all the money was spent, Aladdin had again recourse to the lamp. He took it in his. hand, looked for the same place where his mother had rubbed it with
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£ Beadle’s Half-Dime Librar the sand, and rubbed it also. The genie im- immediately appeared, and said, ‘‘ What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp.”—‘‘ I am hun- gry,” said Aladdin; ‘‘ bring me something to eat.” The genie disappeared, and _ pres- ently returned with a tray, and the same number of covered disbes, etc., and set them down on a table, and vanished again. Aladdin’s mother, knowing what her son was going to do, went out at that time about some business, On purpose to avoid being in the way when the genie came; but on her return, which was not long, on finding the table and sideboard so well furnished a sec- ond time, she was almost as much surprised as before at the prodigious effect of the lamp. However, she sat down with her son; and, when they had eaten as much as they required, she set enough by to last them for two or three days. As soon as Aladdin foundthat their pro- visions and money were spent, he took one of the dishes, and went to look for his Jew dealer again; but as he passed by a gold- smith’s shop, who had the character of a very fair and honest man, the goldsmith, perceiving him, called to him, and said, “* My lad, I have often observed you go by, laden as you are at present, and talk with a certain Jew, and then come back again empty-handed. I imagine that you carry something that you sell to him; but perhaps ‘you do not know what a rogue he is—that he is the greatest scoundrel among all the Jews, and is so we)l known that nobody will have anything to do with him. What I tell you is entirely for your own good. If you will show me what you now carry, and it is to be sold, I will give you the full worth of it; or I will direct you to other dealers who will not cheat you.” The hope of getting more money for his plate induced Aladdin to pull it from under his coat, and show it to the goldsmith. The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weigh- ed the dish, and, after he had told Aladdin how much an ounce of fine silver contained, and what its price was, he demonstrated that the plate was worth, by weight, sixty pieces of gold, which he paid him down immedi- ately. Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure of money in their lamp, and might have had whatever they had a mind to every time tbeir present re- sources failed, yet they lived with the same frugality as before, except that Aladdin took more pains with his dress. As for his mother, she wore no clothes but those which she earned by spinning cotton. Considering their manner of living, we may easily suppose that the money for which Aladdin had sold the dishes and trays was sufficient to maintain them some time. They went on thus for many years by the help of the use which Aladdin, from time to time, made of his lamp. One day, as Aladdin was walking about the city, he heard a crier making proclama- tion to command all people to shut up their shops and houses, and keep within doors, while the Princess Badroulboudour, the Sul- tan’s daughter, went to the: baths and back again. This public order inspired Aladdin with a great curiosity to see the Princess's faee, which he could not do without gettin into the house of some acquaintance, sid looking through a window. But this did not satisfy him, when he reflected that the Prin- cess, on going to the baths, would have a vail on; but, to gratify his curiosity, he thought of a scheme. This was to place him- self behind the door of the bath, which was 80 Situated that he could not fail of seeing her face. Aladdin had not waited long before the Princess Came, and he could see her plainly through a chink of the open door without being seen, She was attended by a proces- sion of ladies, slaves, and Ethiopians, who walked on each side and behind her; for it was the custom of all the courts of Asia to have bands of black slaves from Ethiopia, in addition to the regular slaves of their own countries. Now, when the Princess Badroul- boudour came within three or four paces from the door, she took off her vail, and thus unwittingly gave Aladdin an opportunity of obtaining a full look at her. After the Princess had passed by Aladdin, and entered the baths, he remained some time astonished, and in a kind of eestasy, for the image of so charming an object was deeply imprinted on his mind. But at last, remem- bering that the Princess was gone past him, and that, when she returned from the bath, her back would be toward him, and that she would also most probably be vailed, he re- solved to quit his post and go home. When —$$__—~> — 5 7 ni me: <—_ e ee Me. ee ”« . y x es . <= ie SEX ele to his mother ; and, as she was spinning her cotton, he spoke to her in these words: “TI perceive, mother, that my silence yesterday has very much troubled you. I was not, nor am I, ill, as I fancy you believed ; bnt I can tell you that what I felt then, and now endure, is worse than any disease. It was not pro- claimed in this quarter of the city, and there- fore you could know nothing of it, that the Princess Badroulboudour, the Sultan’s daugh- ter, was to go to the baths after dinner. I heard this as I walked about the streets; and an order was issued, that, to pay all proper re- spect to the Princess, all the shops should be shut on her way thither, and everybody should keep within doors, to leave the thor- oughfares free for her and her attendants. As I was not then far from the baths, I had a great curiosity to see the Princess’s face ; and, as it occurred to me that her Highness, SEN ie)? 44)))}) ie / p ‘ y ; \Z a oY, Y y a" } | Sa | fa me ® » " +S. eS ALADDIN AND THE MAGICIAN, he arrived, he could not conceal his uneasi- ness 80 well but that his mother perceived it. Being surprised to see him so much more thoughtful and melancholy than usual, she askea him what had happened. Aladdin re- turned no answer, but sat carelessly down on the sofa, and remained in the same condition, full of the image of Badroulboudour. His mother, who was preparing supper, pressed him no more. When it was ready, she set it on the table; but, perceiving that he gave no attention to it, she bade him eat, and had much trouble to persuade him to take his place at the board; and, when he did, he ate much less than usual. After supper, she asked Aladdin again why he was so melancholy, but could get no information ; and he determined to go to bed rather than give her the least satisfaction. Aladdin sat next day on the sofa, opposite when she drew near the bath, would pull off her vail, I resolved to get behind the door. You know the situation of the door, and may imagine that I must have a full view of her, if it happened as I expected. The Princess did take off her vail; and I had the happi- ness of beholding her lovely face, with the greatest satisfaction imaytnable: This, mother, was the cause of my melancholy and silence yesterday. I love the Prineess with so much violence that I cannot express it ; and, as my ardent passion increases every moment, I cannot live without the possession of the amiable Badroulboudour, and am re- solved to ask her in marriage of the Sultan, her father.” “Indeed, son,” replied the mother, seri- ously, “I cannot help telling you that you have quite forgotten yourself. Besides, if you really mean to put this resolution of
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yours in execution, I do not see whom you can get to venture to propose it for you.”— ‘You yourself,” replied he, immediately.— “T go to the Sultan!” answered his. mother, amazed and surprised. “I shall take care how I meddle in such an affair... Why, who are you, son,” continued she, ‘‘ that you can have the assurance to think of your Sultan’s daughter? Have you forgotten that your fa- ther was one of the poorest tailors in the capital, and I am of no better extraction ? And do you not know that Sultans never marry their daughters but to princes—sons of Sultans like themselves ?” “Mother,” answered Aladdin, “ I have al- ready told you that I foresaw all that you have said, or can say; and I tell you again, that neither your discourse nor your remon- strances shall make me change my mind. I have informed you that you must ask the | : : oO ma } t oe Princess Badroulboudour in marriage’ for me: it isa favor I desire of you, with all the respect I owe you; and I beg of you not to refuse me, unless you would rather see me in my grave, than by so doing give me new life.” The good old woman was very much embarrassed, when she found Aladdin so obstinately persisting in so foolish a scheme; and she used all kinds of argu- ments to persuade him to give up his design. After she had talked some time, she con- cluded thus: “ Nobody ever goes to ask a favor of the Sultan without taking a pres- ent; for by a present they have this advan- tage—that if, for some particular reasons, the favor is denied, they are sure to be heard. But what gifts have you to make? And if you had any that were worthy the least attention of so great a monarch, what proportion could it bear to the favor you THE GENIE OF THE RING, Aladdin. would ask? Therefore, reflect well on what you are about, and consider that you aspire to a thing which is impossible for you to ob- tain.” ¢ Aladdin heard very calmly all that his mother could say to endeavor to dissuade him from his design; and after he had well weighed her representations in all points, he said, “ I own, mother, it is great rashness in me to presume to carry my pretensions so far, and a great want of consideration to ask you, with so much heat and precipitancy, to go and make the proposal of my marriage to the Sultan, without first taking proper measures to procure a favorable reception. I therefore beg your pardon. As to what you observe about the present, I agree with you, and own that I never thought of it; but as to your assertion that I have nothing fit to present him with, do you not think, \\\ aq A ” 08 mother, that what I brought home with me that day on which I was delivered from the cavern, may be an agreeable present? I mean those things which we did not know the value of, but which now I can tell you, are all jewels of inestimable value, and fit for the greatest monarch. You have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let us see how they will look, when we have arranged them according to their different colors.” Aladdin’s mother fetched the china dish, and he took the jewels out of the two purses in which he had kept them, and placed them in the dish. But the brightness and luster they had in the day-time, and the variety of colors, 80 dazzled the eyes both of mother and son, that they were astonished beyond measure; for hitherto they had only seen them by the light of alamp. It must be re- 5 membered, too, that though Aladdin had seen them hang on the trees like fruit, beau- tiful to the eye, yet, as he was but a boy at the time, he did not take much notice of them; but looked on them only as trinkets. After they had admired the beauty of this present some time, Aladdin said to his mo- ther, ‘““Now you Cannot. excuse yourself from going to the Sultan, under the pretext of not having a present to make him, since here is one that will gain you a favorable re- ception.” She used a great many arguments to endea- vor to make him change his mind; but the charms of the Princess Badroulboudour had made too great an impression on his heart to enable his mother to dissuade him from his design. Aladdin persisted in desiring her to execute his resolution ; and she, as much out of tenderness as for fear he should be guilty of a greater piece of extravagance, yielded to his request. As it was now late, and the hour for going to the Sultan’s palace was passing, it was put off till the next morn- ing. The mother and son talked of different matters the remaining part of the day, and at night they parted to goto bed. But vio- lent love had so much possessed the son’s thoughts, that he could not rest as well as he could have wished. He rose at daybreak, and went and awakened his mother, press- ing her to get herself dressed to go to the Sul- tan’s palace, and to get in first, as the grand- vizier, the other viziers, and all the great officers of state, went in to take their seats in the divan, where the monarch always pre- sided in person. Aladdin’s mother did all that her son de- sired. She took the china dish, in which they had put the jewels, tied up. in two napkins, one finer than the other—tied at the four:corners for. more easy carriage—and then she set, out. for the Suitan’s alace, to the great satisfaction of Aladdin. hen she came to the gates, the grand-vizier, and the other viziers, and the most distinguished lords of the court, had just gone in; and, notwith- standing the crowd of people who had busi- ness at court was more than usually great, she got into the divan, which was a large spacious hall, the entry into which was very magnificent. She placed herself just before the Sultan, the grand-vizier, and the great lords who sat in council, on his right and left hand. Several causes were called; ac- cording to their order, and pleaded and ad- judged, until the time the divan generally broke up, when the Sultan, rising, dismissed the council, and returned to his own apart- ments. - Aladdin’s mother, seeing the Sultan rise and retire, and all the people go away, judged rightly that he would not come again that day, and resolved to go home. When Aladdin saw her return with the present de- signed for the Sultan, he knew not at first what to think of her success ; and, in the fear he was in, lest she should bring him some ill news, he had not courage enough to ask her any questions. His mother, who had never set foot in the Sultan’s palace before, and knew not what was every day practiced there, freed him from his embarrassment, and said to him, with a great deal of simplicity, “Son, have seen the Sultan, and am very well persuaded he has seen me too; for I placed myself just before him, and nothing could hinder him from beholding me; but he was so much taken up with all those who talked, on all sides of him, that I pitied bim, and wondered at his patience to hear them. At last, I believe he was heartily’tired, for he rose up suddenly, and would not hear a great many who were prepared to speak to him, but went away. But there is no harm done: I will go again to-morrow: perhaps the Sultan may not be so very busy,” Though Aladdin’s love was very violent, he was forced to be satisfied with this excuse, and to fortify himself with patience. The next morning his mother went to the Sultan's palace with the present, as early as
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. the day before; but when she arrived, she found the gates of the divan shut, and under- stood that the council sat only every other day, therefore she must come again the next. This news she carried to her son, whose sole relief was to arm himself with patience. The good old lady went six times afterward on the day appointed, placed herself always di- rectly before the Sultan, but with as little snccess as the first time; and she might have perhaps come a thousand times to as little purpose, if the Sultan himself had not taken articular notice of her. So one day, at ast, after the council was broken up, and the Sultan had retired to his own apartment, he said to his grand vizier, *‘I have for some time observed a certain woman, who comes constantly every day that I go into council, and has something wrapped up in a napkin; she always stands up from the be- ginning tothe breaking up of the council, and studiously places herself just before me. Now, if this woman comes aguin next coun- cil day, do not fail to call her, that I may hear what she has to say.” The grand vizier made answer by kissing his hand, and lifting it above his head, sig- nifying his willingness to lose it if he failed. By this time, Aladdin’s mother was so much used to go to the counci] and stand before the Sultan, that she did not think it any trouble: so the next council day she went to the divan, and placed herself before the Sul- tan as usual. Ere the grand vizier had made his report of business, the Sultan perceived her, and compassionating her for having waited so long, he said to the vizier, “ Be- fore you enter upon any matter, remember the woman I spoke to you about; bid her come near, and Jet us hear and dispatch her business first.” The grand vizier immedi- ately called the chief of the ushers, and, pointing to her, bade him go to that woman, and tell her to come before the Sultan. The chief of the ushers went to Aladdin’s mother; and, at a sign he gave her, she fol- lowed him to the foot of the Sultan’s throne, where he left her, and retired to his place by the grand vizier. Aladdin’s mother bowed her head down to the carpet which covered the steps of the throne, and remained in that posture till the Sultan bade her rise, which she had no sooner done than his Majesty said to her, ‘‘Good woman, I have observed you to stand a long time, from tlie begin- ning to the rising of the divan: what busi- ness: brings you here?” At these words, Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself a second time; and, when she got up again, said, “Monarch of monarchs, before I tell your Majesty the extraordinary and almostincred- ible business which brings me before your high throne, I beg of you to pardon the boldness, or rather impudence, of the de- mand I am going to make.” In order to give her the more freedom ‘to explain: her- self; the Sultan ordered everybody to go out of the divan but the grand vizier; and: then. he told her that she might speak without re- straint. Aladdin’s: mother said,“ I) beg of your, Majesty, if you should think my de- mand the least injurious or offensive, to as- sure’ me first of your pardon and forgive- ness,”-—“ Well,” replied the Sultan, ‘41 will forgive you, be it what it will, and no hurt shall come:to you; speak’ boldly.” When ‘Aladdin's mother had taken all these precautions, for fear of the Sultan’s anger, she told him faithfully how Aladdin had seen the Princess Badroulboudour—the violent love that fatal sight-had inspired him with—the declaration he had made to: her of it when he came home, and what repre- sentation she had used to dissuade bim ‘from @ passion ‘‘no less injurious,” said she, “* to your Majesty as Sultan, than to the Princess, your daughter. But,” continued she, ‘* my son, instead of taking my «advice, and re- flecting on his boldness, was so obstinate as to persevere in it, and to threaten me with some desperate act, if I refused to come and ask the Princess in marriage of your Ma- jesty.” The Sultan hearkened to this discourse with a gre&’t deal of mildness, and without showing the least anger or passion; but be- fore he gave her any answer, he asked her what she had brought tied up in that nap- kin? She took the china dish, which she had set down at the foot of the throne ere prostrating herself before him; she untied it, and presented it to the Sultan. The monarch’s amazement and surprise were in- expressible, when he saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in one dish. After he had admired and han- died all the jewels one after another, he turned about to his grand vizier, and show- ing him the dish, said, “‘ Look here, and con- fess that your eyes never beheld anything so rich and beautiful before.” The vizier was charmed. “ Well,” continued the Sultan, “what sayest thou to such a present? Is it not worthy of the Princess, my daugh- ter?” These words put the grand vizier into a strange agitation. The Sultan had, some time before, signified to him his intention of bestowing the Princess, his daughter, on a son of his; he was afraid, and not without grounds, that the monarch, dazzled by so rich and extraordinary a present, might change his mind. Thereupon, going to him, and whispering him in the ear, he said to him, “ Sire, I cannot but own that the pre- sent is worthy of the Princess; and I of your Majesty to grant me three months before you come to a resolution. I hope, before that time, my son,on whom you. have had the ness to look with a favor- able eye, will be able to make a nobler pre- sent than Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to your Majesty.” he Sultan, though very well persuaded that it was not possible for the vizier to pro- vide so considerable a present for his son to make the Princess, yet listened to him, and granted him that favor. So, turning about to Alacdin’s mother, he said to her, ‘‘ Good woman, go home, and tell your son that I agree to the proposal you have made me; but I cannot marry the Princess my daugh- ter till some furniture I design for her be got ready, which cannot be finished for these three months; but at the expiration of that time, come again.” Aladdin’s mother returned home much more overjoyed than she could have im- agined ; for she had looked upon her success with the Sultan as a thing impossible. Aladdin, when he saw his mother returning, said, ‘‘ Well, mother, may I entertain any hopes, or must I die with despair?” When she pulled off her vail, and had sat herself down on the sofa by him, she said, “ Not to keep you long in suspense, son, I will tell you that, instead of thinking of dying, you have every reason to be very well satis- fied.” Then, pursuing her discourse, she told him how that she had an audience be- fore everybody else, the precautions she had taken, lest she should have displeased the Sultan, by making ‘the proposal of marriage between him and the Princess Badroulbou- ‘dour and the favorable answer she had from ‘the monarch’s own) mouth; and that, as far as she could judge; the present wrought that powerful effect...‘ But, when I least ex- pected it,” said she, “and ‘he was going to ‘give me an: answer, the grand vizier whis- pered vhim: in, the ear, and’ I. was afraid it might be some obstacle to his good inten- tions toward us.” Aladdin thought himself the most bappy of all men at/hearing these news, and thank- ed his mother for all the pains she had taken in the affuir, the good success of which was of so great importance to his peace. Now, it happened that when two of the three months were past, his mother, one evening, going to light the lamp, and finding no cil in the house, went oul to buy some; and, when she came into the city, found a general rejoicing. The streets were crowded with court officials, in habits of ceremony, mounted on horses richly caparisoned, each attended by a great many footmen. Aladdin’s mother asked the oil merchant what was the meaning of all those doings. “ Whence came you, good woman,” said he, ‘‘that you don’t know that the grand vizier’s son is to marry the Princess Badroulboudour, the sultan’s daugh- ter, to-night?” This was news enough for Aladdin’s mo- ther. She ran, till she was quite out of breath, home to her son, who little suspected any such thing. “My dear hoy,” cried she, “you are un- done! You depended upon the Sultan’s fine promises, but they will come to nothing. This night, the grand vizier’s son is to mar- ry the Princess Badroulboudour.” She then related how she had heard it; so that, from all circumstances, he had no reason to doubt the truth of what she said. At this account, Aladdin was thunder- struck. Any other man would have sunk un- der the shock; but a secret motive of jeal- ousy soon roused his spirits, and he bethought himself of the lamp, which had till then been so useful to him. ‘Therefore, without vent- ing his rage in empty words against the Sul- tan, the vizier, or his son, he only said, “ Per- haps, mother, the vizier’s son may not be so happy. to-night as he promises himself. While I go into my chamber a moment, do you get ge ready.” * i hen Aladdin had got into his chamber, he took the lamp and rubbed it in the same place as before: Immediately the genie ap- peared, and said to him, ‘‘ What wouldst thou have? ‘I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have the lamp in their hands; I and the other slaves of the lamp.” “Hear me,” said Aladdin: “you have hitherto brought me whatever I wanted as to provisions; but now I have business of the greatest importance for you to exe- cute. Eaive demanded the Princess Bad- roulboudour in marriage of the Sultan, her father; he promised her to me, but only ask- ed three months’ time; and instead of keep- ing that promise, he has, this night, before the expiration of that time, married her to the grand vizier’s son. I havejust heard this, and have no doubt of it. What I ask of you is, that, as soon as the bride and bridegroom are in bed, you bring them both hither in their bed.” ‘“ Master,” replied the genie, “I will obey you.” Aladdin went down-stairs, and supped with his mother, with the same tranquillity of mind as usual. Afterward he returned to his own chamber again, and left his mother to go to bed; but he, for his part, sat up till the genie had executed his orders. In the meantime, everything was prepared with the greatest magnificence in the Sul- tan’s palace to celebrate the Princess’s nup- tizls ; and the evening was spent with all the usual ceremonies and great rejoicing, till midnight, when the grand vizier's son, on a signal given him by the chief of the Princess’s slaves, ver away from the company, and was introduced by that attendant to the Princess’s apartment, where the nuptial bed was-prepared. He went to bed first; and, in a little time after, the Sultan, accom- anied by her own ladies, and those of the rincess, brought in the bride. The Sultana ,herself helped to undress. her, put her into bed, and, after having kissed her, and wished her good-night, retired with all the women. No sooner was the door shut, but the genie, vas the faithful slave of the lamp, without giving the bridegroom the least time to caress his bride, to the great amazement of them both, took up the bed, and transported it in an instant into Aladdin’s chamber, where he setitdown. Aladdin, who waited impatiently for this moment, did not suffer the vizier’s son to re- main another instant in bed with the Prin-
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cess. ‘“ Take this new-married man,” said he to the genie, ‘‘and shut him up in. the scuilery, and come again to-morrow morning after daybreak.” The genie at once took the vizier’s son Out of bed, and carried him in his shirt whither Aladdin directed him; and, after he had breathed upon him, which pre- vented his stirring, he left him there. Great as was Aladdin’s love for the Prin- cess Badroulboudour, he did not talk much to her when they were alone; but only said, with impassioned air, “Fear nothing, ador- able Princess; you are here in safety ; for, notwithstanding the violence of my love, which your charms have kindled, it shall never exceed the bounds of the profound re- spect L owe you.” ' The Princess paid very little attention to what Aladdin said, The fright and amaze- ment of so unexpected an adventure, had put her inte such a condition, that he could not get one word from her. However, he laid himself down in the vizier’s son’s place, with his back to the Princess, putting a sa- ber between himself and her, to show that he deserved to be punished if he attempted the slightest liberty. Aladdin had no oceasion, the next morn- ing, tc rub the lamp to call the genie; he came at the hour appointed, and said to him, “T am here, master; what are your com- mands?’ “Go,” replied Aladdin; ‘‘ fetch the vizier’s son out of the place where you left him, put him into his bed again, and carry it back to the Sultan’s palace.” The genie quickly returned with the vizier’s son. Aladdir took up his saber, the bridegroom was laid by the Princess, and, in an instant, the nuptia) bed was transported into the same chamber of the palace from which it had been brought As soon asthe genie had set down the nup- tial-bed in its proper place, the Sultan, anx- ious to see the Princess, his daughter, opened the door, to bid her good-morning. The grand vizier’s son, who was almost perished with cold, by standing in his shirt all night, and had not had time to warm himself in bed, no sooner heard the door open than he got out of bed, and ran into the dressing- | ably _ he- | mortification room. The Sultan went to ; kissed the Princess between the eyes, accord- ing to custom, wished her a der sedge and asked her how she felt. She cast at him a sorrowful look, expressive of great afflic- tion or great bewilderment. He said a few words to her; but finding that he could not geta syllable from her, he attributed it to her modesty, and retired. Nevertheless he sus- pected that there was something extraordi- nary in this silence; and thereupon went im- mediately to the Sultana’s apartments, and toid her in what state he found the Princess, and how she received him. ‘ Sire,” said the | and m Sultana, “ Your Majesty ought not to be sur- | prised at this behavior; all new-marriéd | eople have a certain reserve about them. But I will go and see her,” added she; “I am very much deceived if she receives me in the same manner.” As soon as the Sultana was dressed, she went to the Princess’s apartment, who was still in bed. She undrew the curtain, wished her good-morrow, and kissed her. But how great was her surprise, when she returned no answer. “How comes it, child,” said the Sultana, “that you do not return my Cca- resses ? Ought you to treat your mother after this manner?” At last, the Princess Badroulboudour broke silence with a deep sigh, and said, ‘‘ Alas! most honored mother, forgive me if I have failed in the respect I owe you. My mind is so full of the extraordinary things which have befallen me this night, that I have not yet recovered my amazement and fright, and scarce know myself.” Then she told herhow, the instant after she and her husband were in bed, the couch itself was transported into a dark, dirty room, where he was taken from her, and carried away, whither she knew 7 not; how she was left alone with a young man, who, after he had said something to her, which her fright did not permit her to hear, laid himselt down by her, in her hus- band’s place, but first putting his saber be- tween them; and how, in the morning, her husband was brought to her again, and the bed was transported back to her own cham- ber in the palace, in an instant. The Sultana heard all the Princess told her very patiently, but would not believe it. “You did well, child,’ said she, “not to speak of this to your father; take care not to mention it to anybody; for you will certainly be thought mad, if you talk at this rate.”— ‘* My dearest mother,” replied the Princess, ‘“‘T can assure you I am in my right senses : ask my husband, and he will tell you the same story.”—“I will,” said the Sultana ; “ but if he should talk in the same manner, I shall not be the better persuaded of the truth.” Then she went to the vizier’s son, to know of him something of what the Princess had told her; but he, thinking bimself highly honored to be allied to the Sultan, resolved to disguise the matter. “Son-in-law,” said the Sultana, “are you as much infatuated as your wife ?”—“ May it please your Majesty,” replied the vizier’s son, ‘‘ may I be so bold as to ask the reason of that question ?’—‘ Oh, that is enough,” answered the Sultana; “ I ask no more; I see you are wiser than she.” Aladdin, who was well acquainted with what passed in the palace, of course con- cluded that the new-married couple were to sleep together again that night, notwith- standing the troublesome adventure of the night before; therefore having the same in- clination to disturb them, he had recourse to his lamp; and when the genie appeared, and offered his services, he said to him, “ The grand vizier’s son and the Princess Badroul- boudour are to be together again to-night: go, and as soon as they are in bed, bring them hither, as thou didst yesterday.” The genie obeyed Aladdin, as faithfully and as ex- actly as the day before: the grand vizier’s son passed the night as coldly and disagree- ly as before; and the Princess had the ain to have Aladdin for her i ec with the saber between them. é genie, according to Aladdin’s orders, came, the next morning, brought the bride- groom back, laid him by his bride, and then carried the bed and new-married couple once in to the palace. The Sultan, after the reception the Prin- cess Badroulboudour had given him the day before, was very anxious to know how she passed the second night, and, therefore, went to her chamber as early as on the mornin ‘before. The grand vizier’s son, more ashame mortified with the adventare of this last no sooner heard him coming, but he imped out of bed, and ran hastily into the dressing-room. The Sultan went to the Prin- cess’s bedside, and, after the caresses he had given her, as on the former morning, bade her good-morrow. “Well, daughter,” he said “are you in a better humor than you were yesterday morning ?” Stillthe Princess was silent, and the Sultan perceived her to be more troubled, in greater confusion’ than be- fore, and doubted not but that something ex- traordinary was the cause; but, provoked that his child should conceal it, he said to her, in a rage, with his saber in his hand, “ Danghter, tell me what is the matter, or I will cut off your head immediately !? The tone of the enraged Sultan than at the sight of the drawn saber, at last told him what had happened to her, in so moving @ manner, that he, who loved her tenderly, was most sensibly grieved. She added, “ if your Ma- jesty doubts the truth of this account, you may inform yourself from my husband, who, I am persuaded, will tell you the same thing.” The Sultan felt all the extreme uneasiness so surprising an adventure must have given the Princess, more frightened at the menaces and | Princess. ‘‘ Daughter,” said he, “you are very much to blame for not telling me this yesterday, since it concerns me as much as yourself.” As soon as the Sultan got back to his own apartment, he sent for the grand vizier. “ Vizier,” said he, ‘‘ have you seen your son, and has he not told you anything?’ The vizier replied, “ No, sire.” Then the Sultan related all that the Princess Badroulboudour had told him; and afterward said, ‘‘I do not doubt but that my daughter has told me the truth; nevertheless, I should be glad to have it confirmed by your son; therefore, go and ask him how it was.” The grand vizier went immediately to his son, and communicated to him what the Sul- tan had told him, and enjoining him to con- ceal nothing from him, but to tell him ‘ue wholetruth. ‘‘1 will disguise nothing .rom you, father,” replied the son; “ for, indeed, all that the Princess says is true; but what relates particularly to myself she knows nothing of.” He then told shis father how he had passed the two nights in a kind of scullery, almost frozen to death ; and begged of the grand vizier to get the Sultan to annul the marriage. Notwithstanding the grand vizier’s am- bition to have his son allied to the Sultan, the firm resolution he saw the young man had formed to be separated from the Princess, pre- vented him from proposing to him to havea little patience for a few days, to see if this disagreeable affair would not have an end. So he left his son to go and give the Sultan an account of what he had told him, assur- ing him that all was but too true, and beg- ging of him to give the young man leave to retire from the palace; alleging, for an ex- cuse, that it was not just that the Princess should be a moment longer exposed to go terrible a persecution upon his son’s account. The grand vizier found no great difficulty in oblaining what he asked. stant, the Sultan, who had determined it al- ready, gave. orders to put a stop to all rejoicings in the palace and city, and sent expresses to all parts of his dominion, to countermand his first orders; so that, in a short time, all the festivities ceased. This sudden and unexpected change gave rise to various speculations and inquiries in all quar- ters; but nobody except Aladdin knew the secret. He rejoiced within himself for the happy success procured for him by his lamp, for he soon heard that the marriage was broken off, and that his rival had left the palace. Nevertheless, Aladdin waited till the three months were completed, which the Sultan had appointed for the celebration of the mar- riage between the Princess Badroulboudour and himeelf; but, the next day, he sent his mother to the palace, toremind the monarch of his promise. Jaddin’s mother went to the palace, as her'son had desired her, and she stood be- fore the divan in the same place as before. The Sultan had no sooner cast his eyes upon ‘her, but he knew her again, and remembered her business, and how long he had put her off; therefore, when the grand vizier was be- ginning to make his report, the Sultan inter- rupted him, and said, “ Vizier, I see the good woman who made me the present some months ago; forbear your report till I hear what she has to say.” Aladdin’s mother came to the foot of the threne, prostrating herself as usual; and ‘when she rose up again, the Sultan asked her what she would have, come to represent to your Majesty, in the name of my son Aladdin, that the three months, at the end of which you ordered me to return, are expired; and to beg of you to remember your most gracious promise,” The Sultan was very much perplexed, and knew not what to answer. He consulted With his grand vizier, who advised him to set so high a value upon the Princess, that “ Sire,” said she, “I From that in- .
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} 8 Aladdin would not be able to come up to it. The Sultan, approving of the grand vizier’s advice, turned about to Aladdin’s mother, and, after some reflection, said to her, “ Good woman, I will fulfill my promise, as soon as your son shall send me forty basins of mass- ive gold, brimful of the same things you have already presented to me, and carried by the like number of black slaves, who shall be led by as many handsome and well- made white slaves, all dressed magnificent- ly. On these conditions, I am ready to be- stow the Princess, my daughter, on your son. Therefore, good woman, go and tell him so, and I wil) wait till you bring me his answer.” Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself a sec- on3 time before the Sultan’s throne, and re- tirea. When she came home, she said to her son, “Indeed, my dear boy, I would not have you think any further of your marriage with the Princess Badroulboudour. The Sul- tan received me very kindly, and I believe he was well inclined to you; but, if I am not very much deceived, the grand vizier has made him change his mind, as you will guess from what I have to tell you.” Then she ave her son an exact account of what the ultan said to her, and the conditions on which he consented to the match. In con- clusion, she said to him, “The Sultan ex- pects your answer immediately; but,” con- tinued she, laughing, ‘‘I believe he may wait long enough.” ‘*Not so long, mother, as you imagine,” replied Aladdin; “the Sultan is mistaken if he thinks, by this exorbitant demand, to pre- vent my entertaining thoughts of the Prin- cess. 1 expected greater difficulties, and that he would have set a higher price upon that incomparable Princess.’ As soon as Alad- din’s mother had gone out to market, the oung man took up the lamp, and rubbing it, the genie appeared, and offered his ser- vice, as usual. ‘The Sultan,” said Aladdin to him, “ gives methe Princess, his daughter, in marriage; but demands first of me forty large basins of massive gold, brimful of the fruits of the garden from whence I took this lamp you are slave to; and these he ex- pects to have carried by as many black slaves, each preceded by a young, handsome, well- made white slave, all richly clothed. Go, and fetch me this present as soon as possible, that I may send it to him before the divan breaks up.” The genie told him his com- mand should be immediately obeyed, and disappeared, In a little time afterward, the genie re- turned with forty slaves, each bearing on his head a basin of massive gold, of great weight, full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emer- alds, all larger and more beautiful than those presented to the Sultan before. Each basin was covered with silver brocade, embroider- ed with flowers of. gold; all these, and the white slaves, quite filled the house, which was but a small one, and the little court be- low it, and the little garden behind, The genie asked Aladdin if he had any other com- mands? Aladdin replied that he wanted nothing further at present, and the genie disappeared. hen Aladdin’s mother came from mar- ket, she was in a great surprise to. see so many people, and such vast riches. _Assoon as she had set down her provisions, she was ‘going to pull off her vail; but Aladdin. pre- vented her, and said, “ Mother, lei us lose no time; but, before the Sultan and the divan rise, | would have you return to the palace, and go with this present as the dowr. his majesty asked for the Princess Badroulbou- dour, so that he may judge, by my diligence and exactness, of the ardent and sincere zeal I have to procure myself the honor of this alliance.” Without waiting for his mother making a reply, Aladdin opened the street- door, and made the slaves walk out: a white slave followed always by a black one, with a basin on his head. When they were all Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. gone out, the mother followed the last black slave. Aladdin then shut the door, and re- tired to his chamber, full of hopes that the Sultan, after this present, which was such as he required, would at length receive him as his son-in-law. As soon as the first slave had arrived at the palace-gate, the porters formed them- selves in line, and took him for a king by the richness and magnificence of his habit, and were going to kiss the hem of his garment; but the slave, who was instructed by the genie, prevented them, and said: ‘‘ We are only slaves, our master will appear at a proper time.” As the Sultan, who had been informed of their march forward to the palace, had given orders for them to be admitted when they came, they met with no obstacle, but passed on into the divan, in good order, one part able to the Princess, with the greater confi- dence, that he has endeavored to conform to the conditions which you were pleased to impose on him.” The Sultan was not able to give the least attention to this compliment of Aladdin’s mother. The moment he cast his eyes on the forty basins, brimful of the most precious, brilliant, and beautiful jewels he had ever seen, and the fourscore slaves, who appeared, by the comeliness of their persons, and the richness and magnificence of their dresses, like so many kings, he was so struck that he could not recover from his admiration; but, instead of answering the compliment of Aladdin’s mother, he ad- dressed himself to the grand vizier, who could not, any more than the Sultan, com- prehend from whence such a profusion of riches could come. ‘‘ Well, vizier,” said he, aloud, ‘‘ who do you think it can be that has | | | | {| ih q a im | Mall ae THE GENIE OF THE LAMP. filing to the right, and the other to the left. After they were all entered, and had formed a great semicircle before the Sultan’s throne, the black slaves laid the basins on the car- pet, and prostrated themselves, touching the carpet with their foreheads, and, at thesame time, the white slaves did the same. When they rose again, the black slaves uncovered the basins, and then all stood, with their arms crossed over their breasts, with an air of the profoundest respect. In the meantime, Aladdin’s mother ad- vanced to the foot of the throne, and, having paid her respects, said to the Sultan, ‘‘ Sire, my son Aladdin is sensible that this present, which he has sent your Majesty, is much be- low the Princess Badrou)boudour’s worth ; but hopes, nevertheless, that your Majesty will deign to receive it, and make it accept- sent me so extraordinary a present, and nel- ther of us know? Do youthink him worthy of the Princess Badroulboudour, my daugh- ter?’ The vizier, notwithstanding his envy and ies to see a stranger preferred to be the ultan’s son-in-law before his son, durst not disguise his sentiments. It was too visible that Aladdin’s present was more than sufficient to merit his being received into that grand alliance; therefore, adopt- ing the Sultan’s sentiments, he returned this answer: “I am so far, sire, from havin any thoughts that the person who has made your Majesty so noble a present is unworth of the honor you would do him, that I should be bold to say he deserved much more, if I were not persuaded that the greatest treas- ure in the world ought not to be put in com-
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Aladdin arison with the Princess, your Majesty’s aughter.” The Sultan no longer hesitated ; but in or- der to send Aladdin’s mother back with all the satisfaction she could desire, he said to her, ‘‘Good woman, go and tell your son that I wait to receive him with open arms, and embrace him; and the more haste he makes to come and receive the Princess, my daughter, from my hands, the greater pleas- ure he will do me.” As soon as Aladdin’s mother retired, the Sultan put an end to the audience for that day; and, rising from his throne, ordered that the Princess’s Ethiopi- ans should come and carry those basins into their mistress’s apartment, whither he went himself to examine them with her at his leisure. The four-score slaves were not for- gotten, but were conducted into the palace ; and, a few minutes afterward, the Sultan, ae \ 9 ter the wonders I have seen you do. I am persuaded nothing can be wanting.” Aladdin, charmed with this news, and full of the object which possessed his soul, made his mother very little reply, but retired to his chamber. There, after he had rubbed his lamp, the obedient genie appeared. ‘“ Ge- nie,” said Aladdin, ‘‘ I want to bathe imme- diately; and you must afterward provide me with the richest and most magnificent habit ever worn bya monarch.’’ No sooner were the words out of his mouth, when the genie rendered him, as well as himself, invisible, and transported him into a bath of the finest marble of all sorts of colors, where he was un- dressed, without seeing by whom, in a neat and spacious hall. From the hall he was led to the bath, which was of a moderate heat; and he was there rubbed and washed with all sorts of scented water. After he had passed —— =) \ ———— qe oxe:\N a THE GENIE TRANSPORTING THE BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM TO ALADDIN’S CHAMBER. telling the Princess Badroulboudour of their magnificent appearance, ordered them to be brought before her apartment, that she might gee, through the lattices, whether he exag- gerated aught in his account of them. In the meantime, Aladdin’s mother reached home, and showed, in her smiling counte- nance, the good news she brought her son. ‘« My dear boy,” said she to him, “ you have now all the reasons in the world to be pleased. The Sultan, with the approbation of the whole Court, has declared that you are worthy to possess the Princess Badroul- boudour, and waits to embrace you, and con- clude your marriage. Therefore, you must think of making some preparations for that interview, that may answer the high opin- ion he has formed of your person ; and, af- through several degrees of heat, he came out, quite a different man from what he was before. His skin was clear, white, and red, and his body lightsome and free; and, when he returned into the hall, he found, instead of his own, a suit, the magnificence of which very much surprised him. The genie helped Aladdin to dress, and, when he had done, transported him back to his own chamber where he asked him if he had any other com- mands. “ Yes,” answered Aladdin, “I expect you should bring me, as soon as pos- sible, a horse that surpasses in beauty and oodness the best in the Sultan’s stables,with a saddle, bridle, and housing, and otlier ac- couterments, Worth a million of money. I want also twenty slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the Sultan, to walk by my side and follow me, and twenty more such to go before me in two ranks, Besides these, bring my mother six women slaves to wait on her, as richly dressed as any of the Princess Badroulbou- dour’s, each carrying a complete suit fit for any Sultana. I want also ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses. Go and make haste.” As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the genie disappeared, and presently returned with the horse, the fort} slaves (ten of whom carried each a purse with one thousand pieces or gold) and six women slaves, each carrying in her hand a different dress for Aladdin’s mother, wrapped up in silver stuff. Of the ten purses, Aladdin took but four, giving them to his mother, and telling her that those were to supply her with necessaries; the other six he left in the hands of the slaves who brought them, with an order to throw them by handfuls among the people, as they went to the Sultan’s palace. When Aladdin had thus settled matters, he told the genie he would call for him when he wanted him; and thereupon the genie dis- appeared. Aladdin immediately mounted his steed, and began his march in the order we have already described ; and, though he never was on a horse’s back before, he ap- peared endowed with such extraordinary grace that the most experienced equestrian would not have taken him for anovice. The streets through which he was to pass were almost instantly filled with an innumerable concourse of people, who made the air echo with their acclamations, especially every time the six slaves, who carried the purses, threw handfuls of gold into the street. As soon as the Sultan perceived Aladdin, he was no less surprised to see him more richly and magnificently clothed than ever he had been himself, than at his good mien, fine shape, and a certain air of unexpected gran- deur, very different from the meanness which characterized his mother. But, notwith- standing, his surprise and amazement did not hinder him from rising from off his throne, and descending two or three Steps quick enough to prevent Aladdin’s throwing himself at his feet. He embraced him with all the demonstrations of friendship. After this civility, Aladdin would have cast him- self at the Sultan’s feet again; but he held him fast by the hand, and obliged him to sit between himself and the grand vizier. After conversing together a short time, the Sultan gave a signal, and immediately the air echoed with the sound of trumpets, haut- boys, and other musical instruments; and, at the same time, the monarch led Aladdin into a magnificent hall, where there was pre- pared a noble feast. The Sultan and Alad- din ate by themselves ; the grand vizier and the great lords of the Court, according to their dignity and rank, stood in attendance all the time. After the feast, the Sultan sent for the chief judge of the capital, and or- dered him-to draw up immediately a con- tract of marriage between the Princess Bad- roulboudour, his daughter, and Aladdin. When the judge had drawn up the con- tract in all the requisite forms, the Sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace, and solemnize the ceremonies of marriage that day. To which he answered, ‘Sire, though great is my impatience to enjoy your Majesty's goudlneed| yet I beg of you wigies me leave to defer it till I have built a palace fit to receive the Princess. I therefore desire you to grant me & Convenient spot of ground near your own palace, that I may come the more frequently to pay my respects to your Majesty, and I will take care to have it finish- ed with all diligence.”—* Son-in-law,” said the Sultan, “take what ground you think proper; there is land enough before my pal- ace.” With these words, he embraced Alad- din again, who took his leave with as much politeness as if he had been bred, and always lived, at court. : Aladdin mounted his horse again, and re-
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10 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. turned home in the same order in which he came, attended by the acclamations of the people, who wished him all happiness and prosperity. As soon as he dismounted, he retired to his own chamber, took the lamp, and called the genie, who, in the usual man- ner, made him a tender of his services. “Genie,” said Aladdin, “I would have you build me, as soon as you ean, a palace over- against, and at a proper distance from, the Sultan's, fit to receise my spouse, the Prin- cess Badroulboudour. I leave the choice of the material to you; that is to say, porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis lazuli, and the finest marble, of the most varied colors. I also in- trust to you the style of the building. But I expect that, in the highest story of this_pal- ace, you shall build me a large hall with a dome, and four equal fronts; and_ that, in- stead of layers of bricks, the walls be made of massive gold and silver, laid alternately ; that each front shall contain six windows, the lattices of all of which shall be so enrich- ed with art and symmetry, with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, that they shall exceed everything of the kind that has ever been seen in the world. You understand what I mean: therefore go about it, and come and tell me when all is finished.” By the time Aladdin had instructed the genie with his intentions respecting the build- ing of his palace, the sun was set. The next morning, by break of day, Aladdin, whose love for the Princess would not let him sleep, ‘was no sooner up, when the genie presented himself, and said, ‘‘ Sir, your palace is finish- ed; come and see how you like it.” Aladdin had no sooner signified his consent, when the genie transported him thither in an in- stant ; and he found it so much beyond his expectation, that he could not enough ad- mire it. The genie led him through all the apartments, where he met with nothing but what was rich and magnificent, with do- mesiics and slaves, all dressed according to their rank and the services to which they were appointed. When Aladdin had examined the palace from top to bottom, and particularly the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, and found it much beyond anything he could have im- agined, he said to the genie, “ Genie, no one can be better satisfied than Lam; and, in- deed, I should be very much to blame if I found any fault. There is only one thing wanting, which I forgot to mention ; that is, to lay from the Sultan’s palace, to the door of the apartment designed for the Princess, a carpet of fine velvet for her to walk upon.” The genie immediately disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he desired executed that minute. When the porters who had always been used to an open prospect, came to unfasten the gates, they were amazed to perceive some vast object in the background, and also to see a carpet of velvet spread for a consider- able distance. They did not immediately see what it meant; but when they could discern Aladdin’s palace. distinctly, their surprise was increased. _The news of so extraordi- nary a wonder was quickly spread through the palace. The grand vizier, who came soon after the gates were Open, was vo less amazed than other people at this novelty, but ran and acquainted the Sultan, and endeay- ored to make him believe it to be all en- chantment. “Vizier,” replied the Sultan, “why will you have it to be enchantment? You know, as well as I, that it is Aladdin’s palace, which I gave him leave to build, to receive my daughter in. After the proof we have had of his riches, can we think it strange that he should build a palace in so short a time?” When Aladdin had been conveyed home, and had dismissed the genie, he found his mother up, and dressing herself in one of those suits that were brought her, By the time the Sultan retired from the council, Aladdin had prepared his mother to go to the palace with her slaves, and desired her, if she suw his Majesty, to tell him she came to do herself the honor to escort the Princess, toward evening, to her palace. As for Alad- din, he mounted his steed, and took leave of his paternal house forever; taking care not to forget his wonderful Jamp, by the assist- ance of which he had reaped such advan- tages, and arrived at the utmost hight of his wishes. Then he went. to the palace with the same pomp as the day before. Aladdin’s mother was received in the pal- ace with due honor, and introduced into the Princess Badroulboudour’s apartment by the chief of the eunuchs. As soon as the Prin- cess saw her, she went and saluted her, and desired her to sit down on her sofa ; and, while her woman made an end of dressing her Highness, and adorned her with the jew- els which Aladdin had presented to her, a noble collation was served up. When it was night, the Princess took her leave of the Sultan and Sultana; their adieus were tender, and accompanied with tears. They embraced each other several times; and, at last the Princess left her own apart- ment, and set forward for Aladdin’s palace, with his mother on her left hand, followed by a hundred women slaves, dressed with surprising magnificence. All the different bands of music, which played from the time of Aladdin’s mother’s arrival, now united together, and led the way followed by a hundred horse-guards, and the like num- ber of Ethiopians, in two files, with their officers at theirhead. Four hundred of the Sultan’s young pages carried torches on each side, which, together with the illuminations of the Sultan’s and Aladdin’s palaces, made it as light as day. At length the Princess arrived at the new palace. Aladdin ran with all imaginable joy to receive her at the entrance of the apart- ment appointed for him. His mother had taken care to point him out to the Prin- cess in the midst of the officers that sur- rounded him; and her Highness was charm- ed with his person as soon as she saw him. ‘Adorable Princess,” said Aladdin, accosting her, and saluting her respectfully, “if I have the misfortune to have displeased you by my boldness in aspiring to the pos- session of so lovely a Princess, and my Sul- tan’s daughter, I must tell your Highness that you ought to blame your bright eyes and charms, not me.” ‘Prince (as I may now call you),” answered the Princess, “TI obedient to the will of my father; and it is enough for me to have seen you, to tell you that I obey without reluctance.” Then Aladdin led the Princess to a dais at the head of a splendid banqueting-room ; and, as soon as she and his mother were seat- ed, a band of the most harmonious instru- ments, accompanied with the voices of beau- tiful ladies, began a concert, which lasted, without. intermission, to the end of the re- past. The Princess was so charmed, that she declared ‘she never heard anything like it in the Sultan, her father’s, Court; but she knew not that these musicians were fairies chosen by the genie, slave of the lamp. When the supper was ended, there en- tered a company of dancers, who performed, according to the custom of the country, seve- ral figures, with surprising lightness and agility, and sHOMAE all the address they were capable of. About midnight, Aladdin, according to the custom of. that time in Chi- na, rose up, and presented his hand to the Princess Badroulboudour to dance with her, and to finish the ceremonies of the nuptials. They danced with so good a grace, that they were. the admiration of all the company. When they left, off, they retired. Thus end- ed the ceremonies and rejoicings at the mar- riage of Aladdin with the Princess Badroul- boudour. The next morning, when Aladdin awoke, his valets-de-chambre presented themselves to dress him, and brought him another habit, as am rich and magnificent as that which he wore the day before. Then he ordered one of the horses appointed for his use to be got ready, mounted him, and went, in the midst of a large troop of slaves, to the Sultan’s palace. The Sultan received him with the same hon- ors as before, embraced him, placed him on the throne near him, and ordered in break- fast. Aladdin replied, ‘‘I beg your Majesty will dispense with me from accepting that honor to day; I came to ask your Majesty to deign to accept of a repast in the Princess's palace.” The Sultan consented with pleas- ure, rose up immediately, and as it was not far off, went thither on foot. The nearer the Sultan approached Alad- din’s palace, the more he was struck with its beauty; but he was much more amazed when he entered it; and could not forbear breaking out into exclamations of approbation. But, when he Came into the hall with the four- and-twenty windows, into which Aladdin had invited him, and had seen the orna- ments, and, above all, cast his eyes on the lattices, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, all large perfect stones; and, when Aladdin had observed to him that it was equally rich on the outside, he was so much surprised that he remained for some time motionless. After he had recovered from his astonishment, he proceeded to view the other splendors of the palace; and every fresh apartment he went into increased his wonder aud admiration. After the Sultan had satiated his curiosity a litle, with view- ing this unrivaled palace, Aladdin led him into the room where the Princess was seat- ed; and she received him in such a manner as convinced her father that she was highly aun witli her marriage. They then sat own to a sumptuous repast, and the Sultan Was in raptures with the choice delicacies of which he partook. Indeed, he could ney- er give over talking of, and praising, what he -had seen in this wonderful palace. Aladdin received these praises from the Sultan with a great deal of modesty, and re- plied in these words: “Sire, it is a great honor to me to deserve your Majesty’s good- will and approbation; and I assure your Majesty I shall study to deserve them more.” The Sultan returned to his palace as he came, but would not let Aladdin go back with him. When he arrived there, he found his grand vizier waiting for him, to whom he related the wonders he had been a witness of with the utmost admiration, and in such terms as left the prime minister no room to doubt but that the fact was as the monarch related it; though he was all the more con- firmed in his belief that Aladdin’s palace was the effect of enchantment, as he had told the Sultan the first moment he saw it. All this time Aladdin did not confine him- self in his palace, but took care to appear once or twice a week in the city, by going sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers; or to call upon the grand vizier, who affected to pay his court to him on certain days; or to do the principal lords of the Court the honor to return their visits, after he had re- galed them at his palace. Every time he went out, he caused two slaves, who walked by the side of his horse, to thrcw handfuls of money among the people, as he passed through the streets and squares, which were generally, on these occasions, crowded. Be- sides, no one ever came to his palace gates to ask alms without returning satisfied with his liberality. In short, he so divided his time, that not a week passed but Aladdin went either once or twice out hunting— sometimes in the environs of the city, some- times further off; at which time, the villages through which he passed felt the effects of his generosity. All this gained for him the love and blessings of the people: and it was common for them to swear by his hand. Aladdin had behaved himself after this manner for several years, when the African
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magician, who undesignedly had been the instrument of raising him to so high a pitch of fortune, bethought himself of him, in Africa, whither, after his expedition, he had returned : and, though he was almost per- suaded that Aladdin died miserably in the subterraneous abode, where he left him, yet he had the curiosity to inform himself about his end, with certainty. Therefore, as he was a great geomancer, he took out of a cup- board a square-covered box, which he made use of in his geomantic observations ; then he sat himself down on his sofa, placed it be- fore him, and uncovered it. After he had prepared and leveled the sand which was in it with an intention to discover whether Aladdin had really died in the subterranean abode, he cast the points, drew the figures, and formed a horoscope, by which, when he came to examine it, he found that Aladdin, instead of dying in the cave, had escaped out of it, lived splendidly, was immensely rich, had married a princess, and was very much honored and respected. The magician no sooner understood by the rules of his diabolical art, that Aladdin had arrived to that hight of good fortune, when he cried out, in a rage, ‘‘This poor, sorry tailor’s son has discovered the secret and vir- tue of the wonderful lamp! I believed his death to be certain, but find too plainly that he enjoys the fruit of my labor and study. But T will prevent his enjoying it long, or perish in the attempt.” He was not a great while deliberating on what course he should adopt; but the next morning, mounting a steed, which was in his stable, set forth, and never stopped but just torefresh himself and horse, till he arrived at the Sultan’s capital in China. He alighted, took up his lodging in a khan, or inn, and stayed there the re- mainder of the day and the following night, to refresh himself after so long a jour- ney. Tne next day, his first object was to inquire what people said of Aladdin; and, taking a walk through the town, he went to the most public and frequented places, where the peo- ple of the best distinction met to enjoy a certain warm Jiquor, which he had drank often when he was there before. As soon as he had sat down, he was presented with a cup of it, which he took; but, listening at the same time to the discourse of the com- pany on each side of him, he heard them talking of Aladdin’s palace. When he had drank off his cup, he joined them; and, tak- ing this opportunity, he asked them particu- larly what palace that was they spoke so ad- vantageously of. ‘‘ From whence come you?” said the person to whom he addressed him- self; ’ you must certainly be a stranger, not to have seen or heard talk of Prince Alad- din’s palace ’ (for he was called Prince after his marriage with the Princess Badroulbou- dour). ‘1 do not say,” continued the speak- er, “that it is one of the wonders of the world, put that it is the only wonder of the world; since nothing 80 grand, rich, and magnificent was ever seen. Certainly, you must have come from a great distance, not to have heard of it; it must have been talked of all over the world. Go and see it, and then judge whether I have told you more than the truth.” Eas The person to whom the African magician addressed himself professed his readiness to show him the way to Aladdin’s palace; and they went thither instantly. When the ma- ician came to the palace, and had examined t on all sides, he doubted not but that Alad- din had made use of the lamp to build it. The next thing was to know where the lamp was: if Aladdin carried it about with him, or where he kept it; and this he was to dis- cover by an operation of geomancy. As soon as he entered his room at the inn, he took his square box of sand, which he always cartied along with him when he traveled; and after he had performed some operations, he knew that the lamp was in Aladdin’s pal- Aladdin. ace. So great was his joy at the discovery, that he could hardly contain himself. The magician heard that Aladdin was gone out on a hunting excursion for eight days; and he said to himself, “This is an opportunity I ought by no means to let slip, but will make the best use of it.” To that end, he went to a maker and seller of lamps, and asked him for a dozen copper lamps. The master of the shap told him he had not so many by him, but, if he would have pa- tience till the next day, he would get him so many against any time he had a mind to have them, The magician appointed his time, and bade him take care that they should be handsome and well polished. After promis- ing to pay him well, he returned to his inn, The next day, the magician called for the twelve lamps, paid the man his full price for them, put them into a basket which he had brought on purpose, and, with the bas- ket hanging on his arm, went directly to Aladdin’s palace. When he came near it, he began crying, ‘‘ Who will change old lamps for new ones?” He repeated this so often, walking backward and forward about the Princess Badroulboudour’s palace, that her Highness, who was then in the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, hearing a man cry something, and not being able to distinguish his words, by reason of the hoot- ing of the children, and the increasing mob about him, sent one of her women slaves down to know what he was crying. The slave was not long before she re- turned, and ran into the hall, laughing so heartily, that the Princess could not forbear laughing herself. “ Well, giggler,” said her Highness, “ will you tell me what you laugh at?”—“ May it please your Highness,” an- swered the slave, laughing still, “who can forbear laughing, to see a fool, with a basket on his arm, full of fine new lamps, offering to exchange them for old ones? The children and mob crowding about him so that he can hardly stir, make all the noise they can by deriding him.” Another female slave, hear- ing this, said, ‘‘Now you speak of lamps, I know not whether the Princess may have observed, but there is an old one up- on the mantel, and, whoever owns it, will not be sorry to find a new one in its stead,” The lamp this slave spoke of was Alad- din’s wonderful lamp, which he, for fear of losing it, had laid upon the mantel, before he went off tohunt. The Princess Badroulbou- dour, who knew not the value of this lamp, and the interest that Aladdin, not to mention herself, had to keep it safe from everybody else, entered into the pleasuntry, and bade an Ethiopian take it, and go and make the exchange. The slave obeyed, and went out of the hall; and no sooner got to the palace gates, when he saw the African magician, called to him, and, showing him the old lamp, said to him, “ Give me a new lamp for this.” The magician felt assured that this was the lamp he wanted. There could be no such other in this palace, where all was gold or silyer. He snatched it eagerly out of the Ethiopian’s hand, and thrusting it as far as he could into his breast, offered him his basket, and bid him choose which he liked best. The slave picked out one, and carried it to the Princess Badroulboudour. soon as the magician got out of the square between the two palaces, he skulked down the streets which were the least . frequented; and having no more occasion for his lamps or his basket, set all down in the midst of a lane where nobody saw him ; then, scouring down another street or two, he walked till he came to one of the city gates, and, pursuing his way through the suburbs, which were very long, got into the fields. He then turned into a road which led to a lonely, remote place, where he stopped for a time to execute the design he came about, never caring for his horse, which he had left at the khan, but thinking himself perfectly compensated by the treasure he had acquired. In this place, the African magician passed the remainder of the day, till the darkest time of night, when he pulled the lamp out of his breast, and rubbed it. At that sum- mons, the genie appeared, and said, ‘‘ What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; both I and the other slaves of the lamp.”—‘‘ I command ou,” replied the magician, “ to transport me immediately, and the palace which thou and the other slaves of the lamp have built in this city, and with all the people in it, to the north coast of Africa.” The genie made no reply, but with the assistance of the other genii, the slaves of the lamp, transported him and the palace entire, immediately, to the place he appointed in Africa ; where we will leave the magician, the palace, and the Princess Badroulboudour, to speak of the surprise of the Sultan As soon as that monarch rose the next morning, according to custom, he went into his dressing-room, to have the pleasure of contemplating and admiring Aladdin’s pal- ace; but, when he first looked that way, and, instead of a palace, saw an empty space, such as it was before the grand edifice was built, he thought he was mistaken, and rubbed his eyes. He looked again, and saw nothing more the second time than the first, although the weather was very fine, the sky clear, and the daybreak, beginning to ap- pear, made all objects very distinct. At last, he retired to his apartment, not without looking behind him before he quitted the room, and ordered the grand vizier to be fetched in all haste ; and in the meantime he sat down, his mind agitated by so many different thoughts that he knew not what to resolve on. The grand vizier did not make the Sultan wait long for him, but came with so much precipitation, that neither he nor his attend- ants, as they passed by, missed Aladdin’s palace, neither did the porters, when they opened the palace gates, observe any altera- tion. When he came into the Sultan’s presence, the prime minister said to him, ‘Sire, the haste in which your Majesty has sent for me, makes me believe something very extraordi- nary has happened, since you know this is council-day, and I shall not fail attending you there very soon.”—‘‘ Indeed,” said the Sultan, ‘‘it is something very extraordinary, as you say, and you will allow it to be so. Tell me what has become of Aladdin’s pal- ace? Go into my dressing-room, and tell me if you can see it?” The grand vizier went into the room indi- cated, where he was struck with no less amazement than the Sultan had been. When he was well assured that there was not the least appearance of the palace, he returned to his Majesty. “Well,” said the Sultan, “have you seen Aladdin’s palace ?”—“‘ Sire,” answered the vizier, “ your Majesty may re- member that I had the honor to tell you that that palace, which was the subject of your admiration, with all its immense riches, was only the work of magic, and a magician ; but your Majesty would not pay the least at- tention to what I said.” The Sultan flew into a great passion. “Where is that impostor—that wicked wretch,” said he—‘that I may have his head cut off immediately?”—* ire,” replied the grand vizier, “it is some days since he came to take his leaye of your Majesty ; he ought to be sent to, to know what is become of his palace, since he cannot be ignorant of its disappearance.”—“ This is too great an indulgence,” replied the Sultan. “‘Go and order a detachment of thirty horse, to brin him to me, loaded with chains.” The gran vizier went, and gave orders for a detach- ment of thirty horse, and instructed the of- ficer who commanded them how they were to act, that Aladdin might not escape them. ea SSS SS Se ee tee x
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12 _Beadle’s Half-Dime Lib The detachment pursued their orders; and about five or six leagues from the town, met him returning from hunting. The officer went up to him, and told him that the Sul- tan was so impatient to see him, that he had sent him to accompany him home, Aladdin had not the least suspicion of the true reason of their meeting him, but pur- sued his way hunting ; but, when he came within half a league of the city, the detach- ment surrounded him, and the officer ad- dressed himself to him, and said, “ Prince Aladdin, it is with great regret that I declare to you the Sultan’s order to arrest you, and to carry you before him as a criminal. I beg of you not to take it ill that we acquit ourselves of our duty, and to forgive us.” Aladdin was carried before the Sultan, who waited for him, attended by the grand vizier, in a balcony, and, as soon as he saw him, he ordered the executioner, who waited there on purpose, to cut off his head. Before the executioner struck the blow, Aladdin beg- ed the Sultan to inform him of his crime. he Sultan then asked what had become of his palace and his daughter? Aladdin was thunderstruck when he could not see his palace; and begged of the Sultan to allow | him forty days’ time, to enable him to find his palace. The Sultan granted his request, telling him that, if he did not succeed, his head should answer for it. Aladdin went out of the Sultan’s presence, with great humiliation, and in a condition worthy of pity. He crossed the courts of the palace, hanging down his head, and in such deep confusion, that he dared not lift up his eyes. For three days he rambled about the city, without coming to any reso- lution, or eating anything but what some good people forced him to take out of char- ity. At last, as he could no longer, in his unhappy condition, stay in a city where he had formerly made so fine a figure, he quit- ted it, and took the road to the country. After lte had traversed several fields, in a frightful state of mind, he came, at the ap- proach of night, to a river-side. There, possessed by his despair, he was just going to throw himself into the river; but, as a good Mussulman, true to his religion, he thought he could not do it without first say- ing his prayers. Going to prepare himself, he went first to the river-side to wash his hands and face, according to custom. But that place being deep and slippery, by reason of the water beating against it, he slic down, and would have certainly fallen into the river, but for a little rock which projected about two feet out of the earth. Happily also for him, he still had on the ring which the African magician put on his finger be- fore he went down into the subterraneous abode to fetch the wondrous lamp. In slip- ping down the bank, he rubbed the ring so hard by holding on to the rock, that imme- diately the same genie appeared whom he saw in the cave where the magician had left him. “What wouldst thou have?” said the genie. ‘‘I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those that have that ring ov their finger; both I and the other slaves of the ring.” Aladdin, agreeably pa fag at an appari- tion he so little expected in the state of de- spair he was in, replied, “Save my life, genie, a second time, either by showing me the place where the palace I have caused to be built now stands, or immediately trans- port it back where it first stood.”—‘* What you command me,” answered the genie, “is not in my power. I am only the slave of the ring; you must address yourself to the slave of the lamp.”—‘‘If it be so,” replied Aladdin, “I command thee, by the power of the ring, to transport me to the place where my palace stands, in what part of the world soever it is, and set me down under the Princess Badroulboudour’s window.” These words were no sooner out of his mouth, when the genie transported him into Africa, to the midst of a large meadow, where his palace stood, a small distance from a great city; and set him exactly under the windows of the Princess’s apartment, and the left him. All this was done almost in an instant. Aladdin, notwithstanding the darkness of the hour, knew his palace, and the Princess Badroulboudour’s apartment again very well; but, as the night was far advanced, and all was quiet in the palace, he retired to some distance, and fell asleep at the foot of a large tree. The next morning, as soon as day appear- ed, Aladdin was agreeably awakened, not only by the singing of the birds, which had roosted in the tree under which he had pass- ed the night, but all those which were perch- ed in the thick trees of the palace-garden. When he ¢dst his eyes on that wonderful edifice, he felt an inexpressible joy, to think he should soon be master of it again, and once more possess his dear Princess Badroul- boudour. Pleased with these hopes, he im- mediately got up, went toward the Princess’s apartment, and walked some time under her window, in expectation of her rising, that he might see her. During this expectation, he began to consider with himself from whence the cause of his misfortune proceed- ed; and, after mature reflection, he no longer doubted that it was owing to his having put his lamp out of his sight. The Princess Badroulboudour rose earlier that morning than she had done since her transportation into Africa by the magician, whose presence she was forced to support once a day, because he was master of the palace; but she had always treated him so coldly, that he dared not reside init. As she was dressing, one of the women, looking through the window, perceived Aladdin, and presently ran and told her mistress. The Princess, who could not believe the news, went that moment herself to the window, and, seeing Aladdin, immediately opened it. The noise the Princess made in opening the window, made Aladdin turn his head that way; and recognizing the Princess, he sa- luted her with an air that expressed his joy. “To lose no time,” said she to him, ‘‘I have sent to have the private door opened for you. Enter, and come up.” The private door, which was just under the Princess’s apartment, was soon opened ; and Aladdin was conducted up into his wife’s chamber. It was impossible to express the joy of those lovers at seeing each other, after a separation which they both thought was forever. Aladdin, resuming the discourse, said, ‘‘I bee of you, Princess, in heaven’s name, before we talk of anything else, to tell me what has become of an old lamp which I left upon the mantel, in the hall of the four-and-twenty windows, before I went to hunt.”—‘‘ Alas! dear husband,”’ an- swered the Princess, “I am afraid our mis- fortune is owing to that lamp; and what grieves me most is, that I have been the cause of it.”— Princess,” replied Aladdin, “do not blame yourself, since it was entirely ny fault, and I ought to have taken more care of it. Then the Princess Badroulboudour gave Aladdin an account howshe changed the old lamp for anew one(which she ordered to be fetched, that he might see it), and how the next morning she found herself in the unknown country they were in; which, she was told, was Africa, by the traitor who had transported her thither by means of his magic art. . “Princess,” said Aladdin, interrupting her, “you have informed me who the traitor is, by telling me we are in Africa. He is the most perfidious of all men; bnt this is neither a time nor plaee to ive you a full account of his villainies. I desire you only to tell me what he has done with the lamp, and where he has put it."—He carries it carefully wrapt up in his bosom,” said the Princess ; “and this I can assure you, because lie pulled rary. it out before me, and showed it to me in tri- umph.”’ When they had talked some time longer, Aladdin took his leave of the Princess, and went to the next town, where he purchased a certain powder at the druggist’s shop. He then returned to the palace, and waited not long at the private door. When he reached the Princess’s apartments, he said to_her, “ Princess, perhaps the aversion you tell me you feel for the wretch who has carried you off may be an objection to your executing the plan which i am going to propose to you; but give me leave to tell you, it is proper that you should at this juncture dis- semble a little, and do violence to your in- clinations, if you would deliver yourself from him, and give my lord, the Sultan, your fa- ther, the satisfaction of seeing you again. Now, if you will take my advice,” continued he, ‘‘dress yourself this moment in one of your richest habits, and, when the African magician comes, make no difficulty to give him the best reception; receive him with an open countenance, without affectation or constraint ; yet so as that, if there be remain- ing any cloud of affliction, he may imagine that time will dissipate it. In your conver- sation, let him understand that you strive to forget me; and, that he may be the more fully convinced of your sincerity, invite him to sup with you, and give him to understand you should be glad to taste some of the best wines of his country. He will at once go to fetch you some. During his absence put this powder into one of the cups; and, setting it aside, charge the slave designated to attend upon you,at asignal you shall agree upon with her, to bring that cup to you. When the magician and you have eaten and drunk as much as you choose, let her bring you the cup, and change cups with him. e will take it as so great a favor, that he will not refuse you, and will empty the cup; but no sooner will he have swallowed its contents, than you will see him fall backward. If you have any reluctance to drink out of his cup, you may pretend only to do it without fear of being discovered; for the effect of the powder will be so quick, that he will not have time enough to know whether you drink or not.” When Aladdin had finished, “I own,” an- swered the Princess, “ I shall do myself great violence in consenting to make the magician such advances as I see are absolutely neces- sary for me to make; but what can one re- solve to do against a cruel enemy? I will therefore follow your advice, since both my repose and yours depend on it.” After the Princess had agreed to the measures sug- gested by Aladdin, he took his leave of her and went and spent the rest of the day in the neighborhood of the palace, till it was evening, when he might safely return to the private door. The Princess Badroulboudour, who was not only inconsolable to be separated from her dear husband, whom she loved from the first moment, and still continued to love more out of inclination than duty, but also from the Sultan, her father, who had always shown a tender and parental love for her, had, ever since that cruel separation, lived in great neglect of her toilet. She had almost, as one may say, forgot the neatness so becom- ing to persons of her sex and quality, par- ticularly after the first time the magician aid her a visit; and she understood, y some of the women, who knew him again, that it was he who took the old lamp in exchange for a new one, which conduct on his part had made the sight of him all the more abhorrent. However, the opportu- nity of taking the revenge he deserved, sooner than she dared hope for, made her re- solve to gratify Aladdin. As soon, there- fore, as he was gone, she sat down at her toilet, and was dressed by her women to the best advantage, in the richest habit, most - suitable to her design. Her girdle was of a
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+ ™ Aladdin. 13 the finest and largest. diamonds set in gold; she put on a necklace of pearls, six on a side, so well proportioned to that in the middle, which was the largest and most valuable, that the greatest sultanas and queens would have been proud to be adorned with only two of the smailest. Her bracelets, which were of diamonds and rubies intermixed, answered admirably to the richness of the girdle and necklace. So soon as the Princess Badroulboudour was completely dressed, she consulted her glass and women upon her adjustment; and when she found she wanted no charms to flatter the foolish passion of the African ma- gician, she sat down on a sofa, expecting his arrival. The magician came at the usual hour; and, as soon as he entered the great hall, where the Princess waited to receive him, she rose up in all her charms and _ pointed with her hand to the most honorable place, waiting till he sat down, that she might sit at the same time, which was a piece of civili- ty she had never shown him before. j The African magician, dazzled more with the luster of the Princess’s eyes than the glittering of the jewels which adorned her, was very much surprised. The queenly and graceful air with which she received him, so opposite to her former behavior, quite confounded him. q When he had sat down, the Princess, to free him from his embarrassment, broke si- lence first. Looking at him all the time in a manner sufficient to make him believe he was not odious to her as she had before given him to understand, she said, ‘* You are doubtless amazed to find me so much al- tered to-day from what I used to be; but your surprise will not be so great when I ac- uaint you that I am naturally of a disposi- tion so opposite to melancholy and grief, sorrow and uneasiness, that I always strive to put them as far away as possible, when I find that the subject of them is past. Ihave reflectec on what you told me of Aladdin’s fate, and know the Sultan my father’s tem- per so well, that I am persuaded, with you, that Aladdin could not escape the terrible effects of his rage. Wherefore should I con- tinue to lament him all my life? My tears cannot recall him. For this reason, after I have fulfilled all the auties my love requires of me to his memory, now that he is in the grave, I think I ought to endeavor to com- fort myself. These are the motives of the change you see in me. To begin to cast off all melancholy, Iam resolved to banish it entirely ; and, persuaded you will bear me company to-night, I have ordered a supper to be prepared; but, as I have no wines ex- cept that of China, Ihave a great desire to taste of the product of Africa, where I now am, and doubt not you will get some of the best.” . The African magician, who looked upon the happiness of coming so soon and so easily into the Princess Badroulboudour’s good graces as impossible, could not think of words expressive enough to testify how sensible he was of her kindness ; but, to put an end the sooner to a conversation which would have embarrassed him, if he had en- gaged further in it, he turned it upon the wines of Africa, and said, ‘‘ Of all the ad- vantages which Africa can boast, that of producing the most excellent wines is one of the principal. I have a cask of seven years’ old, which has never been broached; and it is indeed not praising it too much to say it is the finest in the world. If my Princess,” added he, ‘‘ will give me leave, I will go and fetch two bottles, and return again immedi- ately.”— I should be sorry to give you that trouble,” replied the Princess: “you had better send for them.”—‘‘It is necessary I should go myself,” answered the African magician; ‘for nobody but myself knows where the key of the cellar is placed, or has the secre! to unlock the door.”—“If it be so,’ said the Princess, “make haste back again; forthe longer you stay, the greater will be my impatience, anc we shall sit down to supper as soon as you come back.” The African magician, full of hopes of ap- proaching happiness, rather flew than ran, anc returned quickly with the wine. The Princess, well knowing that he would make haste, put with her own hand the powder Aladdin gave her into the cup that was set apart for that purpose. They placed them- selves at the table, opposite to each other, the magician’s back toward the sideboard. The Princess presented him with the best viands at the table; and said, “If you please, I will entertain you with a concert of vocal and instrumental music: but, as we are only two, I think conversation may be more agreeable.” This the magician took as a new favor. After they had eaten some time, the Prin- cess called for some wine, and drank the magician’s health; saying afterward to him, “ Indeed, you were in the right to commend abs wine, since I never tasted any so de- icious in my life.”—“ Charming Princess!” said he, holding in his hand the cup which had been presented to him; “ my wine be- comes more exquisite by your approbation of it!”"—“ Then drink my health,’ replied the Princess; “ you will find I understand the qualities of wines.” He drank the Prin- cess’s health; and setting down the cup, said, “I think myself happy, Princess, that I reserved this wine for so good an occasion; and I own I never drank any so excellent in every respect.” hen they had each quaffed two or three cups more, the Princess, who had complete- ly charmed the African magician by her civility and obliging behavior, gave the signal to the slave who served them with wine, bidding her bring the cup which had been filled for herself, and at the same time hand the magician a full cup. When they both had their goblets in their hands, she said to him, “I know not how people here express their love for each other, when drinking together as we are. With us, in China, the lover and his lady-love recipro- cally exchange cups, and drink each other’s health ;”’—at the same time she presented to him the cup which was in her hand, and held out her hand to receive his. He, for his part, hastened to make the exchange with the more pleasure, because he looked upon this favor as the unmistakable token of an entire conquest over the Princess—an idea which raised his happiness to its hight. Be- fore he drank, he said to her, with the cup in his hand, ‘ Indeed, Princess, we Africans are not so refined in the art of love as you Chinese; and the fact of your instructing mein a lesson I was ignorant of, informs me how sensible I ought to be of the favor done me. I shall never, lovely Princess, forget my recovering, by drinking out of your cup, that life, which your cruelty, had it con- tinued, would have mace me despair of.” The Princess Badroulboudour, who was disgusted with this bare-faced declaration of the African magician, interrupted him, and said, “‘ Let us drink first, and then say what you will afterward.” At the same time, she raised the cup to her lips; while the African magician, who was eager to get his wine quaffed first, drank up the very last drop. In finishing it, he had reclined his head back to show his eagerness, and remained some time in that State. The Princess kept her cup te her lips, till she saw his eyes turn in his head, and he fell backward lifeless. The Princess had no occasion to order the back-door to be opened to admit Aladdin, for her women were so disposed, from the great hall to the foot of the staircase, that the word was no sooner given that the African magician had fallen backward, when the door opened. As soon as Aladdin entered the banqueting hall, he saw the magician stretched dead on the sofa. The Princess Badroulboudour rose from her seat, and ran overjoyed to him to embrace him; but he stopped her and said, ‘‘ Princess, it is not yet time. Oblige me by retiring to your apartment, and let me be left alone a moment, while I endeavor to transport you back to China, as speedily as you were brought from thence.” When the Princess, her women, and Ethiopians had quitted the hall, Aladdin shut the door; and going straight to the dead body of the magician, opened his vest, and took out the Tomb. which was carefull wrapt up, as the Princess told him. On Alad- din unfolding and rubbing it, the genie immediately appeared. ‘‘ Genie,” said Alad- din, ‘I have called thee to command thee, on the part of the lamp, to transport this palace instantaneonsly back to China, to the same place from whence it was brought hither.” The genie bowed his head, in token of obedience, and disappeared. Immediate- ly, the palace was transported into China; and its removal was only felt by two little shocks—the one when it was lifted up, the other when it was set down, and both ina very short interval of time. Aladdin went down to the Princess’s apartment, and embracing her, said, “I can assure you, dearest, that your joy and mine will be complete to-morrow morning.” The Princess, who had not quite finished her supper, and thinking that Aladdin might be hungry, ordered the dishes that were served up in the great hall, and were scarce touched, to be brought down. The Princess and Alad- din ate as much as they cared for, and drank in like manner, of the African magi- cian’s old wine. Their discourse could not be otherwise than cheerful; and at length ae retired to their own chamber. rom the time of the transportation of Aladdin’s palace, and the Princess Badroul- boudour in it, the Sultan was inconsolable for the loss of her, as he considered it. He hardly slept night or day; and instead of endeavoring to avoid everything that could keep up his affliction, he, on the contrary, indulged it; thus, inasmuch as he had been wont to go every morning into his dressing- room, to please himself with that agreeable prospect, he went now several times in the day to renew his tears, and plunge himself into the deepest melancholy at the idea of no more seeing that which once gave him so much pleasure, and reflecting how he had lost what was most dear to him in this world. The very morning of the return of Alad- din’s palace, the Sultan went at break of day into his dressing-room to indulge his sor- rows. He cast his eyes, in a melancholy manner, toward the place where he remem- bered the palace once stood, expecting only to see an open space; but, perceiving that vacancy filled up, he at first Suasdued it to be the effect of a fog; until, looking more at- tentively, he was convinced beyond the pos- sibility of doubt, that it was his son-in-law’s palace. Then joy and gladness succeeded to sorrow and grief. He returned immedi- ately into his apartment, and ordered a horse to be saddled at once, for he thought that he could not make haste enough to reach Ala@- din’s palace. Aladdin, who foresaw what would happen, rose that morning by day- break, put on one of the most magnificent suits his wardrobe afforded, and went up in- to the hall of twenty-four windows, from whence he perceived the Sultan eoming. Aladdin then descended soon enough to re- ceive him at the foot of the great staircase, and help him to dismount. ‘ Aladdin,” said the Sultan, “I cannot speak to you till I have seen and embraced my daughier.” He led the Sultan into the Princess Bad- roulboudour’s apartment. Her Highness, having been already informed by Aladdin, when he rose, that she was no longer in Africa, but in China, and in the capital of the Sultan, her father, had just done dress-
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14 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ing herself. The Sultan embraced her, with his face bathed in tears of joy ; and the Prin- cess, on her side, gave him all the most af- fectionate testimonies of extreme pleasure at this meeting. The Sultan was some time before he could open his lips, so great was his surprise and joy to find his daughter again, after he had given lier up for lost; and the Princess, em- bracing her father again and again, let fall tears of joy. At lust the Sultan broke silence, and said, “I suppose, daughter, that it is your joy to see me again which makes you ap- pear to be so little changed, as if no misfor- tune had befallen you; for a large palace cannot be so suddenly transported as yours has been, without causing great fright and terrible anguish. I would have you tell me allthat has happened, and conceal nothing from me.” The Princess Badroulboudour, who took great pleasure in giving the Sultan the ex- planation he demanded, said, ‘‘ Sire, if I ap- pear so little altered, I beg of your Majesty to understand that I received new life, yes- terday morning, by the presence of my dear husband and deliverer, Aladdin, whom I looked upon and bewailed as lost tome. The happiness of seeing and embracing him al- most restored me at once to my former state of health. From the very first my greatest source of trouble was to find myself forced from your Majesty and my dear husband; not only on account of the love I bore my husband, but from the uneasiness I labored under besides, for fear lest he, though inno- cent, should feel the effects of your anger, to which, I knew, he was left exposed. I suf- fered but little from the insolence of the wretch who had carried me off ; for, having secured the ascendancy over him, I always put a stop to his disagreeable discourse, and was as little constrained as I am at present. As to what relates to my transportation, Aladdin had no hand in it; I myself am the innocent cause of it.” To convince the Sultan of the truth of what she said, she gave him a full account how the African magician disguised himself like a seller of ‘lamps, and offered to change new ones for old ones ; how she amused her- self in making that exchange, being entirely ignorant of the secret and importance of that particular lamp; how the palace and herself were carried away and transported into Africa, with the African magician, who was at once recognized by two of her women, and the slave who made the exchange of the lamp, when he had the boldness to pay her the first visit, after the success of his auda- cious enterprise, to propose himself for her husband ; how he persecuted her till Alad- din’s arrival; how Aladdin and she concert- ed measures to get the lamp from him again; and how the success of the plan was insured by her dissimulation in inviting him to sup- per, and giving him the cup prepared with the fatal powder. “ For the rest,” added she, “ Lleayve it to Aladdin to give you an account. Aladdin had not much.to tell the Sultan, but only said, ‘‘ When the private door was opened, I went up into the great hall, where I found the magician lying dead on the sofa. As I thought it scarcely proper for the Prin- cess to stay there any longer, I desired her to go down to her own apartment, with her women and Ethiopians. As soon as I was alone, and had taken the lamp out of the magician’s breast, I made use of the same secret which he had done, to remove the palace and carry off the Princess; and, by that means, the palace was brought back into the same place where it stood before ; and I have the happiness to restore the Prin- cess to your Majesty, as you commanded me. But that your Majesty may not think that I am deceiving you, if } ky will give yourself the trouble to ascend to the hall, you will see the magician punished as he deserved.” The Sultan, to be assured of the truth, in- stantly went up to the hall, where he saw the African magician lying dead, and his face already livid by the strength of the poison. Then the monarch embraced Alad- din with great tenderness, and said, “ My son, be not displeased at my proceedings against you; they arose from my paternal love, and, therefore, you ought to forgive the excess to which that sentiment hurried me.” —* Sire,” replied Aladdin, “ I have not the least reason to complain of your Majesty’s conduct, since you did nothing but what your duty required of you. This infamous magician, the basest of men, was the sole cause of my misfortune. When your Ma- jesty has leisure, I will give you an account of another villainous action that he was guilty of toward me, which was no less black and base than this, but from which I was preserved, by the grace of God, in a very re- markable manner.”—‘“ I will take an oppor- tunity, and that very shortly,” replied the Sultan, “to hear it; but, in the meantime, let us think only of rejoicing, and the re- moval of this odious object.” Aladdin ordered the magician’s dead body to be removed, and thrown out into the fields, for the birds and beasts to prey upon. In the meantime, the Sultan commanded the drums, trumpets, cymbals, and other instru- ments of music, to announce the public joy, and a holiday of ten days to be proclaimed for joy of the return of the Princess Badroul- boudour and Aladdin with his palace. Thus Aladdin escaped a second time the terrible dunger of losing his life; but even this was not the last occasion, inasmuch as he ran as great a hazard the third time, the circumstances of which shall now be related. The African magician had a younger brother, who was as skillful a necromancer as himself, and, it may be said, surpassed him in villainy and treacherous designs. Now, as they did not live together, but ata great distance from each other, they failed not every year to inform themselves, by the knowledge of necromancy, where each other was, anf how they did, and whether they stood in need of each other's assistance. Thus it happened that some time after the African magician had failed in his second enterprise against Aladdin’s happiness, his younger brother, who had taken no infor- mation on the subject for upward of a year, experienced a lively curiosity to know where the elder one was, and how he did; and as he, as well as his brother, always carried a necromantic square instrument about with him, he prepared the sand and cast figures without loss of time. The result showed him that his brother had been poisoned ; that his body had been cast forth to the beasts and birds in the fields near the capital of a kingdom in China; and that the person who had poisoned him was of mean birth, but had married the Princess, the Sultan’s daughter. hen the younger magician had in this manner ascertained his brother's fate, he wasted no time in useless regrets, which could not restore the lost one to life again ; but resolving immediately to revenge his death, he took horse and set out on his way to China. After crossing plains, rivers, mountains, and deserts, he arrived at his destination, having endured incredible fa- tigues. When he reached the capital of the kingdom in China, be took a lodging, and the next day he set out for a walk through the town, not merely to observe the beauties of the place, for these were of little interest to him, but rather with a view to the adop- tion of the proper measures to execute his pernicious designs. To this end he intro- duced himself into the most public and fre- quented»places, where he listened to every- body’s diecourts. In one of these public places whither people resorted to divert them- selves with all sorts of games, he heard some gentlemen speaking of the virtue and piety of a woman named Fatima, who had retired from the world, and become a religious de- votee. It was even said that she could per- form miracles. As the magician fancied this woman might be serviceable to him in the project which he had in his head, he took one of the gentlemen aside, and requested him to enter into further details relative to who the holy woman was, especially with regard to the kind of miracles which she'per- formed. “ What!” cried the person towhom he addressed himself, “ have you never seen nor heard talk of ber? She is the admira- tion of the whole town, both of young and old, for her exemplary life. Excepton Mon- days and Fridays, she never stirs out of her little cell; and on those days, when. she comes into the city, she does an infinite deal of good: for there is not a person that has the headache but is cured by the simple fact of her laying her hand upon them.” The magician wanted to know no more than this, but merely asked the gentleman in what part of the city Fatima’s cell was situ- ated. After the gentleman had shown him the place, he very carefully observed all the turnings and windings leading thither; and having thus assured himself on this point he went to one of those taverns where they sell a certain hot liquor called tea, and where any person may remain and rest as long as he pleases. About midnight, after the magician had paid the master of the house for what he had called for, he proceeded straight off to the cell of Fatima, ‘‘the holy woman,’ which was the name she was known by throughout the city. It was no difficult matter for him to open the door which was merely fastened with a latch. This he lifted up without any noise, and when he entered the cell, perceived Fatima, by the moonlight, lying on the sofa, covered only by an old mat, with her head leaning against the wall. Having awakened her, he — a dagger to her breast. Poor Fatima, opening her eyes, was very much surprised to see a man ready to stab her; and he immediately said, ‘‘ If you cry out, or make the least noise, I will kill you; but get up and do as | bid you.” Fatima, who had lain down in her clothes, got up trembling with fear. ‘Do not be so much frightened,” said the magician; “I only want your dress; give it me at once, and take mine.” Accordingly Fatima and the magician changed clothes. “Now,” he said, again speaking, ‘‘ color my face as well as you can, so that I may re- semble you ;” but perceiving that the poor creature could not help trembling, he add- ed, in order to encourage her, “ i tell you again, you need not fear anything; I swear by the name of God, I will not take away your life.” Fatima lighted her lamp; and taking her pencil, she dipped it in a certain liquor, and rubbed it over his face, assuring him the color would not change, and that his face was of the same dye as her own, Next she put on him a sort of cowl or hood, and showed him how to hide bis face as he passed through the streets: then she hung round his neck a long string of beads which reached nearly’ down to his knees. Finally, she gave him the stick she was accustomed to walk with, and handed him a lookin -glass that he might see if he thought himself anything like her, The magician found that he was disguised exactly as he wished to be; never- theless, he could not keep the oath which he had so solemnly sworn to the good Fatima; but instead of stabbing her, for fear the blood should spurt over his person, he strangled her; and when he found she was dead, threw her body into a tank close by the cell. The magician, then disguised like the holy woman, passed the remainder of the night in the cell, after -he had committed so horrid a murder. The next morning, about two hours after sunrise (though it was not one of the days on which the holy woman was accustomed to go out), he issued from the cell, being tolerably weil persuaded that ‘ ( ;
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—_—_~ nobody would ask him any questions on the point: or if they did, he knew that he had an answer ready for them. And as one of the first things he had done after his arrival in that city had been to find out Aladdin’s palace, where he was to execute his designs, he now went directly thither. As soon as the people saw the holy woman, as they imagined the wicked magician to be, they speedily gathered about him in a great crowd. Some begged his blessing, others kissed his hand, and the most zealous the hem of his garment; while others, whether their heads really ached, or whether they sought to be preserved against that affliction, stooped down for him to lay his hands upon them. This he did, muttering some words in form of prayers; in short, he played his part so well, that everybody took him for Fatima. When he came into the neighborhood of Aladdin’s palace, the crowd was so great, that those persons who were the most zealous and also the strongest in striving to keep off the rest from pressing too much upon him, pro- voked many serious quarrels ; and altogether, there was so great a noise, that the Prin- cess, who was in the hall of four-and-twenty windows at the time, asked what was the matter. Nobody being able to give her an explanation, one of the women looked out of the window, and then told her Highnest that the commotion was caused by a great crowd of people gathered about Fatima, the holy woman who cured the headache. The Princess, who had already heard a great deal of this holy woman, but had never yet seen her, conceived a great curiosity to have some discourse with her. This the chief of the Ethiopians perceived, and, ac- cordingly, told his mistress that it would be an easy matter to bring Fatima into the palace, if her Highness desired and com- manded it. The Princess at once assented, and the chief of the Ethiopians immediate] dispatched four of his subordinates to fetc her. As soon as the crowd saw the black slaves approaching, they made way; and the ma- ician perceiving also that they were com- ing for him, was overjoyed to find his strata- gem taking so well. “ Holy woman,” said one of the Ethiopians, “the Princess de- sires to see you, and has sent us to escort you into her presence.’—“The Princess does me too great an honor,” replied the false Fatima: “I am ready.to obey her com- mands;” and at the same time he followed the slaves to the palace. When the magician, who under a holy gar- ment disguised a black heart, was introduced into the great hall, and perceived the Prin- cess, he began a prayer, which contained a long enumeration of vows and good wish- es for her Highness’s health and prosperity, and thatshe might have everything she de- sired. He also made use of many specious, deceitful, and hypocritical phrases, in order to insinuate himself into the Princess’s favor under the cloak of piety—a task which it was no difficult matter for him to accom- plish, inasmuch as the Princess herself, be- ing naturally good, was the more easily per- suaded that others were as well. Moreover, how could ‘she possibly suspect a *‘holy woman,” who made the service of God her profession, and for that end had secluded herself in a solitary cell? When the pre- tended Fatima had made an end of that long harangue, the Princess said, ‘I thank you, good mother, for your prayers; I have great confidence in them, and hope God will hear them. Come and sit by me.” The false Fatima sat down with an affected modesty. Then the Princess, resuming her discourse, said, “My good mother, I have one thing to request of you, and which you must not re- fuse me; and that is, that you will take up your abode in my palace, in order that you may set me an example by your mode of life, and that I may learn from you how to serve God.”—* Princess,” replied the coun- Aladdin. terfeit Fatima, “I beg of you not to request that which I cannvt grant, without neglect- ing my prayers and devotion.” —‘* That con- sideration shall be no hindrance to you,” answered the Princess; ‘‘I have a great many spare apartments in the palace; you may choose any which you like best, and you shall have as much liberty to perform your deyotions as if you were in your own cell.” The magician wanted nothing more than the means of introducing himself into Alad- din’s palace, when it would of course be a much easier matter for him to execute his vindictive designs under the fayor and pro- tection of the Princess, thanif he were forced to come and go backward and for- ward, between the palace and the cell. He did not therefore affect any further hesita- tion in accepting the obliging proposal which the Princess had made him; but said, * Gracious Highness, whatever resolution a poor, miserable woman, such as I am, may have made to renounce the pomp and gran- deur of the world, I dare not be so boid as to oppose the will and commands of so pious and charitable a Princess.” . Thereupon, the Princess, rising up, said, “ Come with me at once, and I will show you what spare apart- ments there are, so that you may make choice of those which you like best.” The magician followed the Princess Badroulbou- dour; and of all the apartments which she showed him, he selected the one which was the smallest and humblest, saying, “ It is too good for me, and I only accept it to please your gracious Highness.” The Princess would then have conducted him back again into the great hall, in order that he might dine with her; but the ma- gician, reflecting that he should, in this case, be obliged to show his face, which he had hitherto taken care to conceal in his cowl, and fearing lest the Princess should find out that he was not really Fatima, begged of her most earnestly to excuse him—adding. that he never ate anything but bread and dried fruits, and at the same time desiring to be allowed to partake of that slight repast in his own apartment. This demand the Prin- cess of course granted, saying, ‘‘ You may be as much at liberty here, good mother, as if you were in your own cell. I will order your repast to be served up at once; but re- member, I expect to see you again as soon as you have partaken of your refreshment.” When the Princess had .dined, the false Fatima was informed by one of the black slaves that she had risen from the table, and hastened to pay his respects to her again. **My good mother,” said the Princess, “I am overjoyed to have the company of so holy a woman as yourself; your mere pres- ence will confer a blessing upon this palace. But now that Tam speaking of this palace, I may ask you how you like it? And before I show you throughout, tell me first what, is your opinion of this hall?” Upon hearing this question, the counter- feit Fatima, who, to act his part the bet- ter, affected to hang down his head, at last looked up, and surveyed. the hall from one end to the other. When he had examined it well, he said to the Princess, ‘‘ So far as I, who am not used to such fine buildings, can judge, there wants but one thing.”—“ And what is that, good mother?” demanded the Princess Badroulboudour; “ tell me, I con- jure you? For my part, I always believed, and have heard it said, that this hall wanted nothing; but if there be a deficiency, it shall be supplied.”—‘‘ Princess,” rejoined the false Fatima, with a great deal of dis- simulation, “forgive me for the _liber- ty I have taken; but my opinion ‘is, “if it can be of any importance, that if a roc’s egg were hung up in the middle of the dome, this hall would have no equal, and would indeed be the wonder of the world.”—* My ood mother,” said the Princess, “ what bird is that roc, and whence may one of its eggs 15 be obtained ?”—* Princess,” replied the pre- tended Fatima, “it is a bird of a prodigious size, which inhabits the summit of Mount Caucasus; the architect who built your palace can get you one.” After the Princess Badroulboudour had thanked the false Fatima for her good ad- vice, which she naturally believed to be genuine, she talked with her upon other matters; but still she could not forget the roc’s egg, relative to which she made a point of telling Aladdin the moment he returned from hunting. He had been absent for six days, but came back that very night, after the false Fatima had taken his leave of the Princess and retired to his chamber. As soon as Aladdin arrived home, he went at once to the Princess’s apartment, kissed her affectionately, but fancied she received him coldly. “My Princess,” said he, “I think you are not so gay and cheerful as you used to bé. Has anything occurred during my absence to displease you, or to excite any trouble or dissatisfaction? In the name of God, do not hide anything from me! I will leave nothing undone that it is in my power to please you,”—‘‘It is a trifling matter,” replied the Princess; ‘‘and indeed it con- cerns me so little, that I could not have imagined you would perceive anything of it in my countenance ; but since you have dis- covered some alteration in me, I will no longer disguise the actual truth from you. I always believed as well as yourself,” con- tinued the Princess Badroulboudour, “that our palace was the most noble, magnificent, and perfect in the world; but I will tell you now what I find fault with. Upon examin- ing the hall of four-and-twenty windows, it has occurred to me that it would be far more complete if a roc’s egg ‘were hung up in the midst of the dome.”—*“ Princess,” replied Aladdin, “it is sufficient that you think there wants such an addition to the hall; you shall see what diligence I will use. to repair that deficiency, for there is nothing that I would leave undone for your sake.” Aladdin left the Princess Badrou]boudour that moment, and went up directly into the hall of four-and-twenty windows. Pulling the lamp out of his bosom—for he now al- ways carried it about him since the danger he had once been exposed to—he fab bed: it in the usual manner, upon which the genie appeared. “Genie,” said Aladdin, “there wants a roc’s egg to.be hung up in the midst of the dome. I command thee in the name of this lamp to repair the fault.” Aladdin had no sooner pronounced these words, When the genie gave so terrible and loud a cry, and the hall shook so fearfully that Aladdin was shaken from head to foot. “ What, miserable wretch,” said the genie, in a voice that would have made the most undaunted man tremble, ‘‘is it not enough that I and my companions have done every- thing for thee, but that with the most un- heard-of ingratitude, you must now command me to bring my master, and hang him up in the midst of this dome? So infamous a design deserves that thou, thy wife, and thy palace should be at once reduced to ashes. But thou art fortunate in the fact that thou art not the author of this abominable request, and that it emanates not from thine own imagi- nation! Know then, that the true author is the. brother of the African magician, that enemy of thine whom thou didst deal with as he deservedst. This brother is now in thy palace, disguised in the clothes of the holy woman Fatima, whom he has murdered; and it is he who has prompted thy wife to make this shocking demand. His design is to kill thee; therefore take care of thyself!” With these words the genie at oncedisappeared. Aladdin lost not a syllable the genie said. He had often heard the holy woman, Fati- ma, spoken of, and how she pretended to cure the headache. He returned to the Prin- cess’s apartment, and without alluding to
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16 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. anything that had happened, complained very much of an acute pain across his tem- ples. Thereupon the Princess ordered the holy woman to be immediately fetched ; and in the meanwhile she explained to her hus- band the circumstances under which the sup- posed Fatima had become an inmate of the palace. When the pretended Fatima made her ap- pearance, Aladdin said, ‘‘ Come hither, good mother; I am very glad to welcome your presence. I am at this moment torment- ed with a violent pain in the head, and de- mand your assistance. I know you will not refuse me a boon which you do bestow upon so many persons afflicted with this excruciating malady.” With these words, Aladdin rose up from his seat, but at the same time holding down his head. On the other hand, the counterfeit Fatima advanced toward him, his hand all the time clutching a dagger, which he had in his girdle under his gown. Aladdin, observing this, seized the magician’s hand before he had time to use the weapon, and pierced him to the heart with his own dagger. Down he tumbled upon the floor. “ What have you done, my dear husband?” cried the Princess, in terror and amazement. “ You have killed the holy woman.”—“ No, my dear Princess,” answered Aladdin, calm and collected ; “J have not killed Fatima, but a wicked wretch who would have assas- sinated me, if I had not prevented him, This vile man,” added he, uncovering the face of the dead, “ has strangled the real Fatima, and disguised himself in her clothes, to come and murder me. But that you may know him better, it will be sufficient to inform you he is brother to the African magician !” Then Aladdin explained to the Princess how he came to be aware of those particu- lars, and afterward ordered the dead body to be taken away, and cast out into the fields. 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What is dest in POPULAR READING, that the paper always has; hence for HOME, SHOP, LI- BRARY and GENERAL READER it, is without a ri- val; and hence its great and steadily increasing cir- culation. The Satrurpay Journau is sold everywhere by newsdealers; price six cents per number; or to sub- seribers, post-paid, at the following cheap rates, viz: Four months, one dollar; one year, threc dollars; or, two copies, jive dollars. Address BEADLE AND ADAMS | 98 William street, New York.