The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-08-20

wafrrhN ron THE EntroR ny GENTLEMAN
OF LONDON.

are blessings which wealth cannot purchase,
nor prefogalive command yet, without which,
aAiuence is worthless, and power without
use. Il is Of little account 10 be powerful,
five have not health; or rich, if we have not
q contenied mind
Among others whom experience had taught
this unpleasant truth, was the great Shah Alb
bas, the actual ruler Of one Of the finest,
richest, and most extensive provinces ofPer-
istan, and imaginary Brother Of The Sun, and
Unclc to the Moon The magnifcence Of
bis palaces, the multitude Of his attendants
and the cosiiiness Of his equipagss;--the
number ofhis armies and their powers in the
ficld---weSe the wonder, admiration, and en-
w Of all his royal contemporaries.
And yet Shah Abbas was unhappy.
Then be added fresh beauties 10 his old
palaces, and he caused 10 be erected, new
ones, still more splendid; he increased the
number of his retinue and Of his armies--
his masadates, issued more peremptorily than
ever, where executed more rigidly, and his
subjects wondered and trcmbled at the great
power Of Shah Abhns.
StiIlhe was discontsnted; yes, he who
dwelt amid the splendor and luxury Of pal
Shy whose permission, merely, thou
sands lived, was more unhappy than the pea
SAINT In his humble cot, who only wore his
beard, as II were, by license, and subject TO
the will of tyrannical caprice.
Having at last discovered that those who
were the executors Of his power or the SER
wants Of his luxury, could neither procure
him happiness, nor inform him how or where
it might be obtained, Shph Abbas summoned
together the wise men Of his .court---tliOse
whose lives had been passed in the study Of
wisdom, and the requirement of the theory
Of virtue.
"TsIl me,' said the Prince, aye, who have
spent many years in the pursuit Of wisdom,
and have reaped the fruits Of labor and expe-
rience--what is necessary TO constitute a
happy mani"
Three days were allowed the sages, for
the preparation oftheir answers; and he who
gave in one that was satisfactory, was prom
ised reward worthy Of the propounder of
the question.
The hope Of reward was great---but the
fear Of punishment was greater; to state un-
welcome truths might incur the dspleasure
Of one whose werd was life or death, risk
they all very carefully avoided; for when the
day came for the delivery Of their answers
they were unanimously agreed in the opin'
ion that to be happy, a man must be power
fill and rich--even as Shah Abbas.
If the prince bad no reason to expect DIFF
ferent answers, he felt little satisfaction in
those which were given.
Now, il was in open court that the answers
Of tho wise men were delivered, and il hap
pened, that among the persons present, was
a travelling Dervish; one of class TO whom
devotion grants what pomp and etiquette
would deny--a free access to the palaces and
councils Of Eastern kings.
No sooner had the sages concluded their
glowing and!eloquent depicturings ofthe hap
piness Of him who is powerful and rich, than
the listening Dervish abruptly broke the 81
lence that ensued:
aHad wealth and power constituted hap
py being, his own feelings would have left
the great Shah Abbas no reason fer inquir-
ing on the subject; since he would have
known that to be great and powerful was to
be happy. Few words may suffice to des-
cribe, as well as language can do it, what il
Is to be perfectly happy--the change of q
single word may do ii;--it is to be perfectly
good; but il Shah Abbas would know fur
ther Of human happiness let him learn Of
Mira Of the Peaceful Vallsy--for he is al
ways happy"
As it is permitted to the oriental Dervishes
10 enter, without invitation or apology, and
= .Ir<k La -f 49, a.
palaces Of Eastern kings, so it is permitted
them 10 utter truths that would be recon-
pensed with the bowstring if they proceeded
from less highly privileged lips. Perhaps
one reason Of this toleration may be found
In the fact, that their notions Of virtue are
supposed 10 be the result of enthusiasm,--
or, Al best, impracticabIe theories, which no
one conceives himself obliged to homer, 9TH
erwise than by listening to them.
If the opinions Of Dervish, in Shah Abbas's
court were not at the time agreeable to tina.
Prince, they excited curiosity which caused
him no small uneasiness on learning, next
morning, that he had left the palace and by
route unknown.
The discomfort Of the Prince from this
time, continued to increase, and his desire OF
finding Mirza, Of the Peaceful Valley, grew
Do intense, that he at last determined upon
going in search Of his abode, unattended, and
in disguise. In few days after forming the
resoulution, he carried il into effect.
After travelling all day, as chance direct
ed, about nightfall he arrived at the summit
Of a lofty mountain from whence a winding
pathway led by gradual descent, TO beau
tiful valley. The Prince did NOT, however
Immediately quit the summit Of the moun-
tain. but paused awhile 10 eontemnlafa and