Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-02-17
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE BIRDS AND THE BEGGAR OF
BAGDAT.

BAGDAT.
"Whai a miserable world this Isl" ex-
claimed Karoun, the beggar, as he sat one
day at the gates of the city Of Bagdat;
''were to make it over again, could ex-
ceedingly mend it!-My world should con-
tain no Kings, and certainly no Cadis;
every one should do that which was right
in his own eyes; it should be impossible to
get money without working for il. and
knowledge without learning. what
a miserable world this Is. OF what use
are the tribes ofchildren, forever interrupt
ing one with their noisy playl Without
doubt we should be well rid of some thou.
eanjs; and their mothers; why are women
such tender delicate creaturesl In my
world they should be az strong as horses,
land DIG, and plant, and 60 TO battle like
their husbands. Then, with regard to gold
and silver, s. precious stones, there should
either be plenty for every one, or else
none at all: the same of palaces, the same
Of hne horses ana rich clothes As to dis
eases and misfortunes, Iwould Danish them
altogether, just as would poison, precipi-
( ces storms, earthquakes, and whatever else
lends to shorten lite. Oh, what "a beauti-
Fol- world ] would make ofthis! Howev-
er ! feel inclined for a nap at present, 50 |
vll! remove 10 yonder grove, for the benefit
Of the ,hadep
be ssifcomplacent beggar according
iy stretched himself beneath large plane
tree, and presently fell into a sound slum-
her; 10 which shmber he was visited by
lhe following dream: lie fancied himself
-yactly where he was, lying under a plane
tree; but he also fancied he heard most
40 extraordinary noise proceed from the
branches. he further fancied that upon
lifting up his eyes 20 discover the cause,
he found the plane tree filed with birds of
III nations, and occupied, according TO
their alb lily, in screaming, whislhng and
chatiering. They were more vociicrous
than all the beggars Of Bagdat. and griev-
ously annoyed our friend karoun. BY and
by the plane tree became quiet, the birds
arranged themselves on the boughs, in
companies, according % their kind. and
! the beggar discovered that it was PAR
Lament of Birds, - met to deliberate on the
state Of the ieathered world. The Golden
( Eagle sat alolt, IN silent majesty, and the
venerable Horned Owl opened the bust
ness Ofthe meeting, by entreatmg the mem
( bars tl conduct the debate with decWum,
! aud bear ia mind that wisdom was never
confined TO birds OF one generation. he
was followed by superb red and green
! Parrot vnJ scratched his head and spoke
as fo.lcwS;
81 conceive, that for many ages, birds
! have been grosslyiii used by nature; aid |
iha1 the meeting Of the present assembly.
as a proof that the rights and privileges of
I all who have claws aud beaks are about to
4 be better understood. do not speak for
myself My fate makes me the associate
Of man, and the lavorite OF the ladies';
am fed with dajnties, and observe all that
ipasses IN dining and drawing rooms;
speak as "a parrot. Why should not all
lb.rds have the privileges Of parrotsl Is 1t
not gross partality that We alone should
have gilt caGes!"
The speaker ceased amidst trenend.
( Gus oplsuse. A crow spoke next.
81 agree with the parrot" SAID he, Gin
l5lamiug nature, but disagree with him as
/ to the mode of charging her with injustice
I The evil hes deeper. Toere ought to be
no gilt cages; no fine plumage; no sweet
voices amongst US. Why Is one kind Of
( bird to he exalted above anotherl Aud yet
this will ever he the case whilst these vain
and useless distinctions remain in force.
"Why am ] to serve the farmer, by ciear'
ing his fields Of grubs and worms, and be
considered low-hved because | am ouly
useful. whilst the nightingale IS to be fol-
lowed by admiration because she slngs.-
What is the nightingale bu; a bud like my
self Is not she"
Here the crow was called TO order, and
very beautiful dove spoke next
Il do not complain" said she, "ofwhal
the preceding orators have complained; my
complaint is that distinction does not make
amends for conscious weakness. What
signify my delicate plumage and tender
note. while want the eagles wings and
the hawks eyel"
Here the owl attempted TO speak next,
but was prevented by maybe.
"My case" said the chatterer, 'is bar.
der still: my plumage is beautiful, but no
one will own It: talk, but 10 one viii lis
ten to me, l am a prosecuted bird, and an
enued genius"
Here the maybe was interrupted BY
sparrow.