The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1822-03-20
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

81.
From tie Lonuog L,Ierary Gazette.
PRACrIcE MAKES PERFECT.
"A curious snecdoIe Is reis,ed by Sir John
Malcolm, Of ths Persian King Barahan and
his wife.
The ruling passion Of Baraham was
the chase [; and proud OF his excellence
as all archer, he wished TO exhibit his
skill before his most favoritc wife. She
accordingly accompanied him to the
plain; and an antelope was deserted at
distance lying asleep. The monarch
drew his bow with such precision, that
its arrow grazed the animals car. The
antelope awoke, aud put his hind hoof to
the spot. TO strike off the fly by which
he appeared to conceive he was annoyed.
The monarch shot again, and pinned the
hoof to the horn. The exulting Bara-
ham turned to the lady, with look that
demanded her opinion of his skill; but
she cody observed, - Practice makes
perfect So Indifferent reply, where
he expected such warm praises stung
trim TO the soul with disappointment and
jealousy and in the fury of the moment
ne ordered her to be carried to the noun
rains, and exposed TO perish. The min
iater who was to obey this cruel COM
lnand, took her hence; but mercitully
sparing her life, allowed her to retire un-
der deep disguise to an obscure village
On the mountain side. She took up her
lodgings in the upper chamber of tow
a, to which she assembled by twenty
steps. On her arrival she brought
1oung Calf, which she regularly carried
once up and down the flight every day.
this exercise she continued for four years
end the improvement in her strength kept
pace with the increasing weight of the
animal. Baahan who had supposed
his iavorite to have been long dead, hap
pened, after fatiguing chase, to stop one
evening at this village. He saw young
Woman carrying large COW up flight
OF twenty steps. He was astonished, and
sent to enquire, how strength so extraor-
hinary had been acquired 10y woman of
apparently so truly a femenine form. The
young person, who had wrapped herself
IN her veil, said she would com municate
her secret to none but the king; and to
him only. on his condescendmg to come
70 the tower alone. Baraham instantly
obeyed the summons; and on his repeat
Ing his admiration of what he had seen
she bid him not lavish praises, as if she
had performed miracle, for practice
makes perfect said the queen in her M.
sural voice, aud at t,e same time lifting
hr veil. The king recognized and en-
braced her. Struck with the lesson she
had thus given him, and delighted with
proof Of love, which had induced her
for four years to pursue so arduous q
plan Of convincing him Of his mistake in
doubling its existence, he restored her to
his affection and rank as his most iavorite
wife and had palace built on the spot
of their reunion to commemorate the
event.
A,X7nenfKm ad Homiaem. .-James
ferguson, the ingenious mechanic and
astronomer, was travelling once in stage
coach in which there happened to be on
ly another passenger, who was Secta-
rian. The man being brimful Of zeal,
kept the discourse continually on the
subject nearest his heart. and pointed out
passages Of scripture, necessarily ex-
claiming, as he uttered every text or dis.
jointed passage, Is not that scripture 2"
Ferguson at - grew quite inpatient,