The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-01-09

HoU n learned Greek. 7ehom Il king
he'd in prison, passed his Judgment
Qua horse.
In n certain part of Greece there
lived a king Of great sway. Of the
name Of Philip. This king. for some
alledged crime or other, had impri-
soned Greek, man OF great learn
ing, whose wisdom mounted tn the
skies. II happened one day that
this monarch recei, ed from the king
of Spain present of n noble horse.
of great size and beautiful form.
The king sent for his farrier tn learn
his opinion Of the horse; but he was
told thai he had better apply To the
learned Greek who was reported II
man ii universal knowledge, lie
therefore ordered the horse IN be- led
into field aud then commanded the
Gaeck to be brought from his prison.
and addressing him, said---"Master.
LET me lave your oplnlon of this
horse, for have learned great re-
port II your wisdom. The Greek
Inspected the horse and replied
- Sire. this horse Is, indeed. II beau
tifgl eourser. but. in my opinion. he
has been nurtnipd IN ass's milk
The hing sent to Spaint IN know how
the horse had been brought up. and
found that the dam had died. and
that the i0aI, as the Greek had as
serted, bad been reared on ASS
milk" The circumstance astonish-
ed the king not a little, and, as re
ward. he ordered half n loaf III bread
Il day To be given to the Greek, at
the expense of the court. Ii fell out
ON another occasion, that rs tie king
was inspecting his .lewels. he sent a
gain for the Greek, and said To him
=. Master niue, your knowledge
~ great, and /, seems you Know all
things. Tell me. ! pray you. who
ther or not You understand the va
luc of these stones. and which of
them seems IL You the most ,alua-
blc.' The Greek replied" Sire.
which of them do you Yourself con-
siaer As the most precious ~ ine
King then took upi one OF the
most beautiful among them. h said
-. This one, master. seems To me
the most beautiful, and of the high
est ,alue." The Greek examined
it. aud straining il closely in the
palm oil his hand and placing II 10
bis tar Said. this stone. appears
IL me. sire, 10 have living worm in
it. l he king sent Tor his lapida-
~. and ordered bin To breah the
stone, aud tn their surprise the ani
lnal Vas found therein. The king
M" looked upon the Greek as a man
oil surprising wisdom, aud ordered a
whole loaf Of bread 10 be given 10
him DAILY at the expense Of the court.
Il happened, MT many days after
this. that the king entertaining som
suspicious. Of his own Legitimacy, IA
gain sent for the Greek, and taking
him INTO 4 closet. saId-Master, |
hold you for man Of great pene-
tration. hich. indeed. has been ma
infested in your answers tn the qnes-
tions ! have proposed to you. !
wish you now to inform me whose
son | am"
The Greek then replied. Sire.
how strange a request You we'll
know YOU are the SON of Your honor
ed predecessor !" But the king dis
satisfied, said" Do not eSade my
question, aud tell me the truth i'm
plicitly for, If YOU hesitate. yon
shall Instantly lie The death of a trai-
tor" /" Sire answered the Greek,
:. | must inform you that You are
the son of "A baker" Upon this the
king being anxious to know the re-
al truth. scnt for the queen mother,
and h, threats compelled herto COIL
fess, that the words of the Greek
were true. The king then shut him
self up in the chamber With the
Greek, and said. Master mine.
have received singular proofs of
your wisdom, and | now entreat you
to tell me how you have obtained a
knowledge of these things" Then
the Greek replied. Sire | will in
form You. With respect tn the
horse. | knew that he bad been nou-
rished with ASS milk from his hang
ing his ears, which is not natural 10
horse. And that there VAS live