It is the custom among the Persians, to convey in a private manner the bodies of all the royal family, a little after their death, into the Black Palace: which is the repository of all who are descended from the caliphs, or any way allied to them. The chief physician is always governor of the Black Palace; it being his office to embalm and preserve the holy family after they are dead, as well as to take care of them while they are yet living. The Black Palace is so called from the colour of the building, which is all of the finest polished black marble. There are always burning in it five thousand everlasting lamps. It has also a hundred folding doors of ebony, which are each of them watched day and night by a hundred negroes, who are to take care that nobody enters besides the governor.

light of the full moon, and being ravished with the odour that flowed from their garments, immediately concluded them to be the ghosts of the two persons lately deceased. They fell upon their faces as they passed through the midst of them, and continued prostrate on the earth until such time as they were out of sight. They reported the next day what they had seen; but this was looked upon by the king himself, and most others, as the compliment that was usually paid to any of the deceased of his family. He lin had placed two of his own mules at about a mile's distance from the Black Temple, on the spot which they had agreed upon for their rendezvous. Here he met them, and conducted them to one of his own houses, which was situated on mount Khacan. The air of this mountain was so very healthful, that Helim had Helin, after having conveyed the body of his formerly transported the king thither, in order daughter into this repository, and, at the ap- to recover him out of a long fit of sickness; pointed time, received her out of the sleep into which succeeded so well that the king made which she was fallen, took care some time after him a present of the whole mountain, with a to bring that of Abdallah into the same place. beautiful house and gardens that were on the Balsora watched over him till such time as the top of it. In this retirement lived Abdallah and dose he had taken lost its effect. Abdallah was Balsora. They were both so fraught with all not acquainted with Helim's design when he kinds of knowledge, and possessed with so congave him this sleepy potion. It is impossible to stant and mutual a passion for each other, that describe the surprise, the joy, the transport he their solitude never lay heavy on them. Abdalwas in at his first awaking. He fancied him- lah applied himself to those arts which were self in the retirements of the blest, and that the agreeable to his manner of living, and the situ spirit of his dear Balsora, who he thought was ation of the place; insomuch that in a few years just gone before him, was the first who came to he converted the whole mountain into a kind congratulate his arrival. She soon informed of garden, and covered every part of it with him of the place he was in, which, notwith-plantations or spots of flowers. Helim was too standing all its horrors, appeared to him more sweet than the bower of Mahomet, in the company of his Balsora.

Helim, who was supposed to be taken up in the embalming of the bodies, visited the place very frequently. His greatest perplexity was how to get the lovers out of it, the gates being watched in such a manner as I have before related. This consideration did not a little disturb the two interred lovers. At length Helim bethought himself, that the first day of the full moon of the month Tizpa was near at hand. Now it is a received tradition among the Persians, that the souls of those of the royal family, who are in a state of bliss, do, on the first full moon after their decease, pass through the east⚫ern gate of the Black Palace, which is therefore called the gate of Paradise, in order to take their flight for that happy place. Helim, therefore, having made due preparation for this night, dressed each of the lovers in a robe of azure silk, wrought in the finest looms of Persia, with a long train of linen whiter than snow, that floated on the ground behind them. Upon Abdallah's head he fixed a wreath of the greenest myrtle, and on Balsora's a garland of the freshest roses. Their garments were scented with the richest perfumes of Arabia. Having thus prepared every thing, the full moon was no sooner up, and shining in all its brightness, but he privately opened the gate of Paradise, and shut it after the same manner as soon as they had passed through it. The band of negroes who were posted at a little distance from the gate, seeing two such beautiful apparitions, that showed themselves to advantage by the

good a father to let him want any thing that might conduce to make his retirement pleasant.

In about ten years after their abode in this place, the old king died, and was succeeded by his son Ibrahim, who, upon the supposed death of his brother, had been called to court, and entertained there as heir to the Persian empire. Though he was some years inconsolable for the death of his brother, Helim durst not trust him with the secret, which he knew would have fatal consequences, should it by any means come to the knowledge of the old king. Ibrahim was no sooner mounted to the throne, but Helim sought after a proper opportunity of making a discovery to him, which he knew would be very agreeable to so good-natured and generous a prince. It so happened, that before Helim found such an opportunity as he desired, the new king Ibrahim, having been separated from his com. pany in a chase, and almost fainting with heat and thirst, saw himself at the foot of mount Khacan. He immediately ascended the hill, and coming to Helim's house, demanded some refreshments. Helim was very luckily there at that time; and after having set before the king the choicest of wines and fruits, finding him wonderfully pleased with so seasonable a treat, told him that the best part of his entertainment was to come. Upon which he opened to him the whole history of what had passed. The king was at once astonished and transported at so strange a relation, and seeing his brother enter the room with Balsora in his hand, he leaped off from the sofa on which he sat, and cried out, 'It is he! it is my Abdallah! Having said this, he fell upon his neck, and wept. The whole company,

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"She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. "She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple. "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. "She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. "Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. "She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

for some time, remained silent and shedding
tears of joy. The king at length, having kindly
reproached Helim for depriving him so long of
such a brother, embraced Balsora with the great-
est tenderness, and told her that she should now
be a queen indeed, for that he would immediately
make his brother king of all the conquered na-scarlet.
tions on the other side the Tigris. He easily
discovered in the eyes of our two lovers, that,
instead of being transported with the offer, they
preferred their present retirement to empire.
At their request, therefore, he changed his in-
tentions, and made them a present of all the
open country as far as they could see from the
top of mount Khacan. Abdallah continuing to
extend his former improvements, beautified this
whole prospect with groves and fountains, gar-
dens and seats of pleasure, until it became the
most delicious spot of ground within the em-
pire, and is therefore called the garden of Per-
sia. This caliph, Ibrahim, after a long and
happy reign, died without children, and was
succeeded by Abdallah, a son of Abdallah and
Balsora. This was that king Abdallah, who
afterwards fixed the imperial residence upon
mount Khacan, which continues at this time to
be the favourite palace of the Persian empire.
IF

No. 168.] Wednesday, September 23, 1713.

-loca jam recitata revolvimus————
Hor. Lib. 2. Ep. i. 223.

The same subjects we repeat.

'SIR,-I observe that many of your late papers have represented to us the characters of accomplished women; but among all of them I do not find a quotation which I expected to have seen in your works; I mean the character of the mistress of a family as it is drawn out at length in the book of Proverbs. For my part, considering it only as a human composition, I do not think that there is any character in Theophrastus, which has so many beautiful particulars in it, and which is drawn with such elegance of thought and phrase. I wonder that it is not written in letters of gold in the great hall of every country gentleman.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

"She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

"She is like the merchants' ships, she bring. eth her food from afar.

"She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

"She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

"She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night.

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. "Many daughters, have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised.

"Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." 'Your humble servant.'

'SIR,-I ventured to your lion with the following lines, upon an assurance, that if you thought them not proper food for your beast, you would at least permit him to tear them.

'FROM ANACREON.

* Αγο ζωγράφων άρισε»," &ε,
'Best and happiest artisan,
Best of painters, if you can
With your many-coloured art
Paint the mistress of my heart;

Describe the charms you hear from me,
(Her charms you could not paint and see)
And make the absent nymph appear
As if her lovely self was here.
First draw her easy-flowing hair
As soft and black as she is fair:
And, if your art can rise so high,
Let breathing odours round her fly:
Beneath the shade of flowing jet
The iv'ry forehead smoothly set.
With care the sable brows extend,
And in two arches nicely bend;
That the fair space which lies between
The melting shade may scarce be seen,
The eye must be uncommon fire;
Sparkle, languish, and desire:
The flames unseen must yet be felt;
Like Pallas kill, like Venus melt.
The rosy cheeks must seem to glow
Amidst the white of new fall'n snow.
Let her lips persuasion wear,
In silence elegantly fair;

As if the blushing rivals strove,
Breathing and inviting love.
Below her chin be sure to deck
With ev'ry grace her polish'd neck;
While all that's pretty, soft, and sweet.
In the swelling bosom meet.
The rest in purple garments veil;
Her body, not her shape conceal:
Enough-the lovely work is done,
The breathing paint will speak anon,

'I am, sir, your humble servant.'

MR. IRONSIDE, -The letter which I sent you some time ago, and was subscribed English Tory, has made, as you must have observed, a

If the present objects are grown tiresome and distasteful, it is in order to prepare our minds for a more exquisite relish of those which are fresh and new. If the good things we have hitherto enjoyed are transient, they will be succeeded by those which the inexhaustible power of the Deity will supply to eternal ages. If the pleasures of our present state are blended with pain and uneasiness, our future will consist of sincere unmixed delights. Blessed hope! the thought whereof turns the very imperfections of our nature into occasions of comfort and joy. But what consolation is left to the man who hath no hope or prospect of these things? View him in that part of life, when the natural decay of his faculties concurs with the frequency of the same objects to make him weary of this world, when like a man who hangs upon a precipice, his present situation is uneasy, and the moment that he quits his hold, he is sure of sinking into hell or annihilation.

There is not any character so hateful as his who invents racks and tortures for mankind. The free-thinkers make it their business to introduce doubts, perplexities, and despair, into the minds of men, and, according to the poet's rule, are most justly punished by their own schemes.

No. 170.]

Friday, September 25, 1713.

-Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes.
Virg. Æn. ii. 49.
I fear your Greeks, with presents in their hands.

ther, tin, lead, coals, &c. So much as the ex-
ported superfluities amount unto, so much also
is the clear national profit.

·

III. The importing of foreign materials to be manufactured at home, especially when the goods, after they are manufactured, are mostly sent abroad, is also, without dispute, very beneficial; as for instance, Spanish wool, which for that reason is exempted from paying any duties. IV. The importation of foreign materials, to be manufactured here, although the manufac tured goods are chiefly consumed by us, may be also beneficial; especially when the said ma terials are procured in exchange for our commodities; as raw silk, grogram-yarn, and other goods brought from Turkey.

'V. Foreign materials, wrought up here into such goods as would otherwise be imported ready manufactured, is a means of saving money to the nation: such is the importation of hemp, flax, and raw silk; it is therefore to be wondered at, that these commodities are not exempt from all duties, as well as Spanish wool.

VI. A trade may be called good which exchanges manufactures for manufactures, and commodities for commodities. Germany takes as much in value of our woollen and other goods, as we do of their linen: by this means numbers of people are employed on both sides, to their mutual advantage.

VII. An importation of commodities, bought partly for money and partly for goods, may be of national advantage; if the greatest part of the commodities thus imported, are again exported, as in the case of East India goods, and generally all imports of goods which are reexported, are beneficial to a nation.

VIII. The carrying of goods from one foreign country to another, is a profitable article trade. Our ships are often thus employed between Portugal, Italy, and the Levant, and sometimes in the East Indies.

IX. When there is a necessity to import goods which a nation cannot be without, although such goods are chiefly purchased with money, it cannot be accounted a bad trade, as our trade to Norway and other parts, from whence are imported naval stores, and materials for building.

'London, Sept. 22. 'MOST VENERABLE NESTOR,-The plan laid down in your first paper gives me a title and authority to apply to you in behalf of the trad-in ing world. According to the general scheme you proposed in your said first paper, you have not professed only to entertain men of wit and polite taste, but also to be useful to the trader and the artificer. You cannot do your country greater service than by informing all ranks of men amongst us, that the greatest benefactor to them all is the merchant. The merchant advances the gentleman's rent, gives the artificer food, and supplies the courtier's luxury. But give me leave to say, that neither you, nor all your clan of wits, can put together so useful and commodious a treatise for the welfare of your fellow-subjects as that which an eminent merchant of the city has lately written. It is called, General Maxims of Trade, particularly applied to the Commerce between Great-Britain and France. I have made an extract of it, so as to bring it within the compass of your paper, which take as follows:

I. That trade which exports manufactures made of the product of the country, is undoubt. edly good: such as the sending abroad our Yorkshire cloth, Colchester baize, Exeter serges, Norwich stuffs, &c.; which being made purely of British wool, as much as those exports amount to, so much is the clear gain of the nation.

II. That trade which helps off the consumption of our superfluities, is also visibly advantageous; as the exporting of alum, copperas, lea

'But a trade is disadvantageous to a nation

1. Which brings in things of mere luxury and pleasure, which are entirely, or for the most part, consumed among us; and such I reckon the wine trade to be, especially when the wine is purchased with money, and not in exchange for our commodities.

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2. Much worse is that trade which brings in a commodity that is not only consumed amongst us, but hinders the consumption of the like quantity of ours. As is the importation of brandy, which hinders the spending of our extracts of malt and molasses; therefore very prudently charged with excessive duties.

3. That trade is eminently bad, which supplies the same goods as we manufacture ourselves, especially if we can make enough for our consumption: and I take this to be the case of the silk manufacture; which, with great la bour and industry, is brought to perfection in London, Canterbury, and other places

4. The importation upon easy terms of such | Britain, except to our plantations, but all are manufactures as are already introduced in a consumed at home; therefore no benefit can be country, must be of bad consequence, and check reaped this way by the French trade. their progress; as it would undoubtedly be the case of the linen and paper manufactures in Great Britain, (which are of late very much improved) if those commodities were suffered to be brought in without paying very high duties. 'Let us now judge of our trade with France by the foregoing maxims.

I. The exportation of our woollen goods to France, is so well barred against, that there is not the least hope of reaping any benefit by this article. They have their work done for half the price we pay for ours. And since they send great quantities of woollen goods to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, the Rhine, and other places, although they pay a duty upon exportation, it is a demonstration, that they have more than is sufficient for their own wear, and consequently no great occasion for any of ours. The French cannot but be so sensible of the advantage they have over us in point of cheapness, that I do not doubt they will give us leave to import into France not only woollen goods, but all other commodities whatsoever, upon very easy duties, provided we permit them to import into Great Britain wines, brandies, silk, linen, and paper, upon paying the same duties as others do. And when that is done, you will send little more to France than now you do, and they will import into Great Britain ten times more than now they

can.

·

II. As to our superfluities, it must be owned the French have occasion for some of them, as lead, tin, leather, copperas, coals, alum, and several other things of small value, as also some few of our plantation commodities; but these goods they will have whether we take any of theirs or no, because they want them. All these commodities together, that the French want from us, may amount to about two hundred thousand pounds yearly.

III. As to materials; I do not know of any one sort useful to us that ever was imported from France into England. They have indeed hemp, flax, and wool in abundance, and some raw silk; but they are too wise to let us have any, especially as long as they entertain any hopes we shall be so self-denying, as to take those materials from them after they are manu

factured.

VI. Letting ships to freight cannot but be of some profit to a nation; but it is very rare if the French ever make use of any other ships than their own; they victual and man cheaper than we, therefore nothing is to be got from them by this article.

VII. Things that are of absolute necessity cannot be reckoned prejudicial to a nation; but France produces nothing that is necessary, or even convenient, or but which we had better be without, except claret.

VIII. If the importation of commodities of mere luxury, to be consumed amongst us, be a sensible disadvantage, the French trade in this particular might be highly pernicious to this nation; for if the duties on French wines be lowered to a considerable degree, the least we can suppose would be imported into England and Scotland is eighteen thousand tons a year, which being most clarets, at a moderate com putation, would cost in France four hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

IX. As to brandy; since we have laid high duties upon it, the distilling of spirits from malt and molasses is much improved and increased, by means of which a good sum of money is yearly saved to the nation; for very little brandy hath been imported either from Italy, Portugal, or Spain, by reason that our English spirits are near as good as those countries' brandies. But as French brandy is esteemed, and is indeed very good, if the extraordinary duty on that liquor be taken off, there is no doubt but great quantities will be imported. We will suppose only three thousand tons a year, which will cost Great Britain about seventy thousand pounds yearly, and prejudice besides the extracts of our own malt spirits.

'X. Linen is an article of more consequence than many people are aware of: Ireland, Scotland, and several counties in England, have made large steps towards the improvement of that useful manufacture, both in quantity and quality; and with good encouragement would doubtless, in a few years, bring it to perfection, and perhaps make sufficient for our own consumption; which besides employing great numbers of people, and improving many acres of land, would save us a good sum of money, which IV. Exchanging commodities for commodi-is yearly laid out abroad in that commodity. ties (if for the like value on both sides) might be beneficial; but it is far from being the case between us and France. Our ships went constantly in ballast (except now and then some lead) to St. Malo, Morlaix, Nantes, Rochelle, Bourdeaux, Bayonne, &c. and ever came back full of linen, wines, brandy, and paper; and if 'XI. The manufacture of paper is very near it was so before the revolution, when one of our akin to that of linen. Since the high duties laid pounds sterling cost the French but thirteen li-on foreign paper, and that none hath been im. vres, what are they like to take from us (except what they of necessity want) now that for each pound sterling they must pay us twenty livres, which enhances the price of all British commodities to the French above fifty per cent.

V. Goods imported to be re-exported, is certainly a national advantage; but few or no French goods are ever exported from Great

As the case stands at present, it improves daily; but if the duties on French linen be reduced, it is to be feared it will come over so cheap, that our looms must be laid aside, and six or seven hundred thousand pounds a year be sent over to France for that commodity.

ported from France, where it is cheapest, the making of it is increased to such a degree in England, that we import none of the lower sorts from abroad, and make them all ourselves; but if the French duties be taken off, undoubtedly most of the mills which are employed in the making of white paper, must leave off their work, and thirty or forty thousand pounds a