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THE

LADIES' CABINET

"OF

FASHION, MUSIC, AND ROMANCE.

CALIPH CHASID.

AN EASTERN TALE.

I.

CHASID, Caliph at Bagdad, sat comfortably upon his sofa, on a beautiful afternoon. He had slept a little, for it was a hot day, and he seemed very cheerful after his nap. He smoked from a long pipe of rose-wood, sipped now and then a little coffee, which a slave poured out for him, and stroked his beard each time contentedly, as though he relished it greatly. It was plain, in short, that the Caliph was in a good humour. About this hour, one could very easily speak with him, for he was always then very mild and affable; on which account, it was the custom of his Grand Vizier, Manzor, to visit him every day about this time. He came indeed, on this afternoon, but he seemed thoughtful, which was very unusual with him. The Caliph took his pipe a little from his mouth, and said: "Grand Vizier, why is thy countenance so troubled ?"

The Grand Vizier, crossed his arms over his breast, bowed himself before his lord, and answered: " My lord, whether my countenance is troubled, I cannot say; but below the palace there stands a merchant, who has such fine wares, that I ain vexed, because I have so little money to spare."

The Caliph, who for a long time past had desired to confer a favour upon his Grand Vizier, despatched his black slave to bring up the merchant. The slave soon returned with him. The merchant was a little stout man, with a dark brown face, and in ragged attire. He carried a chest, in which he had various kinds of wares; pearls and rings, richly inlaid pistols, goblets and combs. The Caliph and his Vizier looked them all over, and the former purchased, at last, some beautiful pistols for himself and Manzor, and a comb for the wife of the Vizier. As the merchant was about to pack up his chest again, FEBRUARY, 1840.

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