"Would to God I could stay this night with good Master Max, I would not be uneasy on that score; but I must go on, and alas my burthen is heavy.

"If any poor beast was not so jaded, and so much tired, I would be glad to lend it you," said I.

"Thank you, Master," returned he, "I am used to hardships, and have laid in a good stock of patience."

Discoursing thus we went slowly on together, till we came to a footpath, where the wanderer stopped to direct me to the wood-cutter's cottage: "You cannot miss your way," said he;" if you pursue this path you will soon see a light."

I hesitated a little while, whether I should follow the advice of the honest man, or not; but the increasing darkness, and a rising tempest, which shook the oaks around, fixed soon my wavering resolution, and I pursued the path, bidding the honest wanderer good night.

Quickening my steps I soon perceived a small cottage, the owner of which made his appearance as soon as I had knocked at his humble door, hailed me with a hearty welcome, and bade me, with much good nature, enter his hospitable abode.

Not expecting much conveniency, I was struck with wonder when he shewed me into a neat little room, not in the least corresponding with the poor appearance of his hut: I had expected to be introduced to the residence of poverty, but found an habitation that bore evident marks of prosperity, and seemed rather to be the abode of a gentleman than that of a poor wood-cutter.

Mr. Max took no notice of my astonishment, but prepared with much alacrity, to provide me and my horse with food and drink.

While he was busy to prove his hospitality I had full leisure to satisfy my curiosity, and to take a view of the objects around me, assisted by the faint glimmering of a lamp.

The first object that struck my fancy was an enormous sword, hang, ing by his bed-side, which, as I thought at first, was rather improper furniture for a wood-cutter's dwelling; but I soon made myself easy when I recollected, that he, living in an unfrequented part of the forest, might want sometimes an instrument of that kind to defend himself against unwelcome visitors, but my apprehension returned when I beheld a brace of pistols hanging on the wall, which I found were charged with balls.

I went farther in my search, and saw a great number of guns, pistols, and swords, in a recess close by the fire-side; I was struck with terror, and just as I had taken the lamp in my hand to have a closer view of this alarming furniture, Mr. Max entered the room, with a large plate of greens, a piece of ham, and a bottle of wine.

When supper was over I could no longer suppress my curiosity, and asked him why he kept so many guns and swords in his house?

To be continued)

BEFORE the contention of Shah Jehan's four Sons to determine who possess the throne of their father, Indostan was in perfect peace and tranquility. The empire was not then divided into contending parties, naturally seeking each others destruction; but the great officers of the court sought health and amusement by hunting the beats of the forest.

Jessom emir al Omrah, Cup-bearer to the Shah, one day pursuing a swift nyl-gaw, it led him to the mountains adjacent to Delhi, where the creature eluded the dogs and hunters. The emir, dismounting from his horse, and winding his way between the rocks, at last sat down underthe shade of a spreading platanus. Nature, exhausted by fatigue, was recruiting herself by sleep.......moments of insensibility, yet delicious on reflection. Awaking, he found before him an old man, wrapt in a shawl, who, after his salam, expressed a fear that he had unintentionally disturbed his repose, and asked whether he chose any refresh

ment?

A draught of water would be pleasant to me,' said the Cupbearer.

The other retired, but soon returned with a bowl filled with the purest element, and cool as the rock from whence it issued. As the emir took it in his hand:

Stay,' says the old man, adding three drops from a chrystal vessel.

After the emir had drank, he required the meaning of the addition?

The water was drink,' said the other, but the drops were medicine. You have fatigued yourself by the chace, and something was wanting to restore the strength you had lost by exercise!'

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Strength lost by exercise!' exclaimed the emir, I exercise myself procure, and not to lose strength.'

How strength is to be procured by fatigue, I am yet to learn,' replied the old man'; 'the human machine, like every other, wears out by friction, and is preserved by rest.

'I thought,' returned the other, that all men were agreed in the use, and indeed necessity, of exercise.'

Not all,' replied the old man; 'our neighbours, the Persians, are not fond of unnecessary motion; and they have a proverb, that it is better to ride, than to walk; to sit than to stand; and that death is the best of all.' The Franguis, indeed, who of late have forced themselves into this country, have that restlessness which you consider as essential to health. Where there is intemperance, exercise may be necessary; and hard labour requires additional nourishment;.....but the easy office of Cup-bearer to the Shah (for 30 your robe declares you) requires not the labour of exercise to counteract any ill effects arising from your high

station.

The emir did not altogether agree to this; but, before he could reply, a peasant addressed the old man, complaining of tormenting pains in his stomach, and begged his assistance.

Friend,' says the doctor, address thyself, through the Prophet, to the great Disposer of Health; I can do nothing without superior assistance...but this is thy earthly remedy...drop thrice from this small phial. into a large draught of water, and eat nothing until to-morrow......Remember...three drops and no more.'

He was scarce gone, when another patient came, with a different complaint; but the prescription was the same.

The emir wanted not curiosity; but, finding himself sufficiently refreshed, withheld farther inquiry.....thanked the doctor (for so he appeared to be) and departed.

When Shah Jehan drank, to do his Cup-bearer honour, he always presented him with the remainder of his draught, which the emir took, offering up a prayer to the prophet for the emperor's welfare.

The Shah loved wine, and could bear much without intoxication; the emir being of a contrary disposition, it happened frequently, that he had more Cups to finish than were consistent with that clearness of understanding, which should accompany an address to the holy prophet. In consequence, large pimples began to cover his nose, his legs swelled, his beard became scanty, and the ladies of the haram complained that his breath was offensive. The court-physicians were called in, who prescribed all the costly medicines of the east, but to no purpose.

The symptoms growing worse and worse, by mere chance the emir recollected the old man of the mountain. Too weak to sit on horseback, he was conveyed to him in a litter.

When I was here before,' said the emir, I was your guest: permit me now to be your patient.'

Willingly,' said the other...... put three drops from this phial into a vessel of water, drink it, and nothing else, for the rest of the day.'

Impossible!' replied the other, I must often take the Cup of honour from the hand of my bountiful master.'

Then,' pronounced the physician, you will take the Cup of Death....the least particle of heterogeneous mixture with my medicine, instantly becomes fatal !'

As the Shah loved the emir better than his other attendant slaves; he permitted the emir.to be absent for a season, conceiving that the talis

man of the Sage (for such he thought the Doctor's three drops to be) required the presence of the patient.

The Doctor continuing the same prescription, and the patient his prompt obedience, many days had not elapsed before the health of the emir was in all respects much improved. The carbuncles had left his nose, his beard increased, his legs decreased, and his breath no longer poisoned the atmosphere."

Yet a little while,' said the learned physician, and the angel of health may deign to take up his abode with you, and dismiss the angel of death, to search for other victims.'

Many people came from the adjacent country seeking the doctor's advice, which was always given in the same words, and with the same medicine; and with such great success, that the physicians of the province lost their reputation and practice.

Of what can these precious drops consist?' revolved the emir, equally admiring the simplicity and efficacy of the prescription. Though unable to penetrate the mystery, yet finding that he was quite recovered, and longing to present himself to his master, and indeed to his mistresses, he took a grateful leave of the doctor, who, refusing all reward, dismissed his patient, by saying:

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My medicine, under the power, in whose hands are health and sickness, has performed its accustomed effects, but, as sometime must elapse before the narrow pores of the skin can discharge what yet remains of it in your constitution, the Cup of honour must be refused, unless you wish to make another visit to your doctor.

A horse, richly caparisoned, carried the emir to Delhi, attended by troops of servants rejoicing in his health.

When he kissed the ground before the feet of Shah Jehan, he was at first received as one unknown;.....the efficacious medicine having made him a new man.

A Cup of Wine!' said the Shah. Let the great physician know who it is that wishes him a long enjoyment for himself, of the blessing he procures for others. Give him a robe of honour, and let me see and reward the Sage, who possesses the source of health!'

The messengers departed with speed, to carry the invitation and robe to the old man of the mountain.

When the Shah had drank, he graciously presented the remaining wine to his restored Cup-bearer; who, taking the vessel, attempted thrice to bear it to his lips...but in vain! the doctor's injunction at parting, being still fresh in his remembrance...and not to drink was loss of his high office, perhaps of his life.

The Shah perceiving that his Cup, was rejected, gave way to wrath. ... Take that slave from my presence!' he exclaimed; and since he refuses wine from the hand of his master, let water be his only beverage. Begone!!

The messengers to the mountain were not long iu speeding across the plains of Delhi; they hastily invested the doctor with his kalaaf, and brought him into the presence of the Emperor.

Approach,' said the Shah: relate by what good fortune thou art possessed of that grand elixir which the sages of the east and west have been so long endeavouring to obtain ?'

Thy slave,' replied the doctor, has no such possession.'

Is it a talisman then?' said the Shah.

Nor talisman have I, replied the old mau;

If thou command me

to disclose my secret, thy slave must obey; but once disclosed, the virtue of the medicine ceases.'

Thou dost but more and more inflame my curiosity,' uttered the Shah with impatience.

It becomes my duty to gratify it,' humbly replied the doctor. In my early youth, I remarked the effects of the imagination on the human mind-nothing is too strange for the imagination to conceive, and no effect too great for it to produce;-by imagination we almost becoure the thing we wish to be. This discovery is open to all, and all may make the same use of it as myself. Much later in life, I'discovered intemperance to be the origin of disease, and the hastener of death. Of this truth' experience only brings a belief, we, having, from long fixed habit, the appetite for pleasure and prejudice to oppose and vanquish. As the works of nature are all perfect, it is by acting contrary to her laws that we induce imperfection and disease; and nothing but the propensity of nature to recover, and rest in the centre from which we have forced her, can ever restore her to her pristine perfection and health. If there are medicines which can assist this propensity, let us use them; but how can we be certain that we do not retard, instead of assisting, operations, the causes of which are beyond our weak intellects to investigate.

But the three drops?" interrupted the Shah; for all Sovereigns hateinformation, though they ask it, and scarcely admit a reply to their own questions.

These,' answered the doctor, come under the head of imagina

tion.'

Tell me the secret of three drops!' said the Shah, beginning to lose his temper," and keep all the rest to yourself."

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I was hastening to convince the Emperor,' meekly replied the old man, that I possess neither medical secret, nor talisman-but thy slave ceases to speak, as his words find no favour before thee.'

Proceed,' said the Shah.

But

When a patient comes to me,' continued the doctor, I consider him as having suffered by forcing nature from her seat. If we knew what would restore her to her first position, or, knowing the medicine, and how to make the application, it would be well-but as we do not, I leave the work to her own powerful efforts. Intemperance being most probably the cause of the disorder, abstinence is most likely to be the cure. this is too simple a remedy: there must be something to act upon the imagination. My three, drops do this office, which are the same fluid as that which receives them-water; but they have an air of mystery, and appear in the form of a powerful medicine, whose quantity must not be mistaken. To prevent any patient relapsing into the intemperance which produced his complaint, and inust retard his cure, I enjoin strict abstinence, that the effect of the medicine may not be counteracted. But the whole means no more than removing the effect, by destroying the cause, and leaving nature at liberty to do a work, which cannot safely be trusted in other hands.':

What says the Shah, with contempt, are thy so much famed three drops nothing but waterg

If they have fame,' respect fully replied the doctor, let us suppose they deserve it.--I told you, Sir, that the discovery once made, my art was at an end.”