The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-30
NJ IS c E L L A N E 0 US.
From the Knieksrboeksr
HAMMED, THE DERvIsE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

In the year 1923, Gustavus Raimbaud
inter brilliant examination, had the honor
Of receiving his degree of Doctor Of Medi
cine, at Paris. He was gay, sprightly
young man, OF an adventurous spirit, who
had only studied the ago Of Hippocrates and
Galen in obedience to the wishes of hi,
father, who was one Of the first physicians o
Toulouse and no sooner was he armed with
Iii, diploma than he left Paris and returned
home, to get permission Of his father 10
make tour in the East. He wished to see
Constantinople and to visit Greece to offer
up q sacrifice to Esculapus, in the places
where that god of tho healing was formerly
worshippcd. His father granted his wishes,
and Gustavus, being well supplied with re-
concentrations for oil our consuls, set out
for Marseilles, where no embarked on board
Of u last sailing brig, apd ar';vad -;,I~-..
accident In the capital OF the commander oil
the believers of Mohammed, who was reign
ing ut that period. His first visit was to
our ambassador at the Sublime Porto, who
received him very kindly.
"Be careful" said his EIcellency, " for
there is report that the plague is in the
city,
"Oh! your Excellcncy," replied Gusta
vus " the plague is afraid Of US physicians.
"Do you expect to remain long in Con
stantinople'" continued the ambassador.
"About six months, with the permission
Of your Excellency after which wish to g,
and see eGmpos ubi 7roja fuit; ] will ther
visit Argos, Athens, Delos, and the island o
Ihacs, where, as Homer says, there are NJ
horses, but very beautiful goats"
After his visit to the ambassador, Gusta
vus took stroll through the streets to Sc,
the city.
Dressed in the European fashion, his blacl
coat buttoncd to the chin, he went forward
his eye on the qui rire. in momentary ex
pectation of seeing the symbolic boquet o
some beautiful Sultana fall al his feet. Be
fore he had COMO far. a door opened o shor
distance in front Of him, and an old negress
half concealed by white veil, came forth
The woman advanced toward the youni
man, and after an oriental salutation, said 4
him, 'llckimw w
Gustayus only knew one word Of Turkish
and it was this word, which being interpret
ed, means doctor.
"Yes, my good woman" replied no, 81
nm Doctor Of Medicine, Of Paris, and
pupil Of Velpcan and Dupuytrcn-nothini
less"
The negress did not understand him, fo
he spoke IN the French language; bu. 70
her, as well rs for the people Of CONSTANT
nople generally, every Frank is physician
She made sign to Gustayus to follow her
and the young doctor, remembering all q
once the words Of the ambassador, said {,
himself
+" The plague il at Constantinople; bu
pshaw am On anticontagionist besides
il is my business; moreover, what is to be
viii; !" md following tho footsteps Of tn
nCgress, he entered the house whi,h sh
had just quilted.
1t was a palace. The interior court was
spacious, aud paved with slabs Of many-col
ored marble; it was likewise surrounded
with fower-beds, enamsled with beautifu
flowers, and magnificent galleries. supported
by delicate colonnades. At each angle o
tho house arose rich kiosk, sadorned will
nrsbesqucs and maxims from the Koran. IL
letters OF gold. The negress conducted Gus
tayus into one Of these kiosks, where HI
found the master Of the house stretched up
on civon, with his pipe in his mouth
awaiting the Frank doctor.
"Al 1iekim ~ said the negress, who 70
tired. The Turk arose.
"You are Frenchman, sir r said he
With rs pure mn accent rs If he had beet
born in the Rue St Dominique. and brougb
up in the llp Of nurse FROM Toursine.
"And you, Also" boldly said Gustavus
The T.s replied with evident signs o
diSpleasurc-
II am from Damascus, The holy city,
and poi ting to the green turban which
covered lis wrinkled forehead, ga descend
ant Of the Prophet"
"Well. sir, what do you desire !n askoe
Gu,iavus. without being the least disconcert
+ cd
/ "Ifyou arc equally skilled and bold,
said the Turk, "you are the man of whom
rm in want. My daugt ter is sick, unt
must be cmed."
- will Try" replied Gustavus, with non
eialdnes, ard then added. Z" You Turks hav'
singular IDEAS; you think physician cat
always cure his patient, rs IL death was no
sometimes inevitable, md superior to oil hu
man powers. When your wives or dsugh
i :. l. ~