and of leaving him to eat his supper alone; and now, for the first time, I saw the new house, which I had hitherto carefully avoided. The owner received me in a cheerful room close to the door, asked me to sit at a table covered with a green cloth, and requested my account. Now began our dispute. I persisted I had no account to give, that I was happy in this way to show my gratitude for the money advanced on our house, and that I had always resolved not to take any thing for the linen. He said the workman was worthy of his hire; that he could not hear of such untimely generosity; that I was an obstinate fellow, but that he knew a way to bend me, which he would soon employ if I did not give in. In the midst of our dispute somebody rang at the outer door; Steinacker opened it, and, by the aid of the light in the room, I saw a female, whom I believed to be my mother. This supposition added considerably to my confusion; and, when Steinacker returned, as I was again defending my opinion, and constantly blundering from one thing to another, I at last said the yarn was spun by Lina, and that there was no necessity for a third person to interfere between us. At this moment Steinacker clapped his hands, and laughed aloud. To my astonishment a sidedoor opened, and Lina, with her and my mother, entered. I stood as if rooted to the spot, felt as if all my limbs were paralyzed, and stared at them all, one after another, without saying a word. Steinacker put an end to this by conducting Lina to me, and assuring me that the

elected of my heart had always been true to me, and that, now he had done all which was necessary to cancel an old debt, nothing was wanting to complete our happiness, if the interference of a third person was not declared to be of no use or value. But who could think this?

It now turned out that Steinacker was a half-brother of Lina's mother, and had resided here a twelvemonth, constantly occupied in carrying a project into execution he had formed on the first evening of our wonderful acquaintance. There was no deception; Lina hung on my arm, I could press her to my heart; and the founder of our fortunes wished us happiness and joy by his smiles. "Is it possible," said I to Lina," that you have constantly thought of our former friendship, though I insulted you so rudely? Can you always have loved me, when I formerly treated you so ill?"

"Always," said she, with a glance that was more convincing than her words; " and I have even preserved more carefully than, from circumstances, you suppose, perhaps, the present which I formerly received from your hand."

At these words she drew away the green cloth, and, with joyful surprise, I there saw the very red cock which I myself had formerly made for her. He was now pasted on the middle of the table, and destined to be the lasting ornament of this piece of furniture. A paper, with the magistrate's seal, lay near it. "Times and customs

change," said Steinacker. "Formerly the cock gave you pennies to satisfy your boyish appetites; now he gives you a stone-built house to dwell in, and large enough for you to supply old Steinacker with a place of repose for the rest of his days."

'The cock," said I, "had no need to give any orders on this point."

Here, then, do I gaily and cheerfully, as I began, conclude my narration. I live in a well-built, airy, roomy house; have been for some time united to Lina; rejoice in the daily increase of my business; and expect shortly that a young Godfred will hail me with the name of father. In taking leave of the well-disposed reader, I cannot do less than entreat the favour of his company at the expected christening.

BATHMENDI.

A PERSIAN TALE.

In the reign of a remote king of Persia, a merchant of Balsora having become a bankrupt, retired with the wreck of his fortune into the province of Kousistan, where he bought a little cottage with a field or two. Grief, however, preyed so much upon his heart, that it was not long before he became sensible that his end was approaching. He therefore called his four sons to his bed-side. "" 'My children," said he, "I have no other fortune to leave you but this cottage, and the knowledge of a very important secret. During my opulent state I found a friend in the genius Alzim, who promised me that, after my death, he would divide a great treasure among you. This genius lives some miles off, in the forest of Kom. Go and find him; ask him for this treasure, but take care not to believe". Death did

not permit him to finish the sentence.

As soon as the four sons had interred their parent they went to the forest of Kom, and soon found the residence

of the genius Alzim, who kindly received all who came to see him, listened to their complaints, and gave them money with profusion. But his favours were granted upon the condition that they would blindly follow the council he gave; and he received none into his palace until they had taken an oath to that effect.

This oath did not intimidate the three elder sons; but the fourth, whose name was Tai, thought the ceremony very absurd. He took the oath, however, as well as the others; but reflecting on the dangerous consequences of that indiscreet oath, and recollecting that his father, who very often visited this palace, had passed his life in inconsistencies, he wished, without incurring the guilt of perjury, to guard against future danger; and while they were leading him to the genius, he stopped his ears with fragrant wax. Thus prepared, he prostrated himself before the throne of Alzim.

Alzim ordered the four sons of his old friend to rise; he embraced them, and commanded a large chest to be filled with gold. "This," says he, "is the treasure I have designed for you. I shall first divide it among you, and then point out to each his way to happiness.”

Tai did not hear what the genius said; but he attentively observed him, and perceived an air of malicious satisfaction, that gave rise to many reflections. However, he gratefully received his part of the treasure.

When Alzim had thus enriched them, he said, "My children, your prosperity or adversity depends on how