Star.
London, England, 1827-10-12 00:00:00

MORE AMUSING THAN CREDIBLE.

Two months ago there came to Marseilles se adven-
turer, named V—. He introduced himself to the
fantli of Mr. X—, who received him with entire
_ _

confidence. and for whom he said he had had several'
letters of recommendation, which he had lost on his

journey. Endowed with a ready elocution, and pos-
sessing fascinating manners, be succeeded in engaging
the affections of Mr. youngest daughter.—
When he was assured-of the confidence of the rest of
the members .f the family, he thought proper to put
his project into execution. One day when Mr. X---
and his children were at table, the door opened, and
Mr. V— made his appearance in the costume of a
savage: white feathers waved over his head and around
his body; his arms were naked, his legs covered with
rings, and a bow in his band. He saluted his host pro.
roundly; and in the midst of the general aronisholent,
he spoke as followss " You will take me for a madman
—undeceive yourselves; I am a King, and a King of
Timbuctoo, a large and powerful kingdom situated
in the centre of Africa. You shall learn how I came
from a midshipman, which I was, to attain my present
malted rank. Listen; I was on board the Medusa when
she was cast awey,on the coast of Africa, on the banks of ,
Arguin ; My companions were drowned : stronger than
,they were, I saved myself by swimming, and landed on
the coast which borders on the great desert of Sahara. For
several months! walked at without discovering i single
habitation. - Not to weary, you with the recital of my
sufferings, I drag merely say that I was met by !time
Moors, who captured me, carried me to ninbuttoo, said
sold me to the King, who detgbted toposseis me when
he knew that I understood a little of medicine.. lie fell
ill, and my eases restored him to heal& This cure
obtained me very great
,honber. At the end of three
months he again fell ill ; but whether it was that nature
did not second my efforts, or that my skill was defec-
tive, the King died. The people, who in that country
choose the sovereign, seated me on the throne of Tito-
buctoo. possessor of a kingdom, wherelo foreigner
except me bad ever put his koot, I caused myself to bi
admired by the wisdom of my lama. Always thinking
of the future, I amused immense treasures, and time
has shewn me that this precaution was not useless. An
ambitious man spread among the people a report, that
I had not submitted to that operation which was indii-
pensible for those who reigned ; this was to have my
note cut off. My enemies united themselves to this
ambitious man, and it was resolved to ceroff this pro.
minent part of my countenance, or make me give up
the title of King. In this sittiation I had no person in
whom I could place Confidence, add I took a desperate
part. One night, when all my subjects were asleep,
I carried off my treasure, and left the city of
Timbuctoo without knowing, on whit side to direct
my steps. I proceeded straight forward, and after
a forced march of forty days, I found myself on
the borders of, the ocean, where an English vessel,
which was there to prevent the slave elide, re-
ceived pre on board, and carried me to England, Whence
I am soon to return, to place myself at the head of
fifteen hundred men, who will restore me to the throne
of Timbuctoo. But my wishes are not limited by that.
I wish to become the husband of your daughter ; and
although she has only 100,000. francs for her portion,
it will be delightful for me to select her for, my
Queen." Here V-- was silent, and the whole family'
cried out, " He is a King—we should never have be-
lieved it." The father did not make him wait long for
his answer; and with a voice agitated by vanity and
surprise, he said—" Sire, since you have deigned to
condescend 'to love my daughter, I give her to you for
asi ife. But how can you forget the little attention we
have shewn towards you? How—" " Let us speak
no more of that," replied V.—; permit me only to
make a little present to the Queen, my future wife,"
and he, at the same time, drew forth a large collar of
false precious stones, with which he surrounded the neck
of Mademohe le X—, and every one was in ecstacy at
the generosity of the King. At the dessert the health.
of V-- was drunk, and cries of " Long live the King l"
made the glasses jingle. The next day V.— requested
of his future father-in-law ten thousand francs to pro-
cure a crown; not that he wanted money, but Ire was
anxious to become tl e debtor of Mr. X. The latter
immediately counted him out the sum. He then left
the house, and never appeared there again. The family
was desirous of keeping the whole affair secret; and
had it not been for a mere accident, the public would
not have known the history of the pseudo King of Tim-
buctoo.--Courier Francois.