Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-09-17
Dome Department.
HISTORY OF RASSElAS,
PRINCE OF ABYssINlA.
CHAPTER NLNI.

Inc princess and Iekuah. having talked
in private of lmlac's astronomer. thought
his character at once so amiable and so
| strange that they could not be satisfied
| without Il nearer knowledge: and Imlac
was requested to find the means of bring
ing them together.
This was somewhat difficult: the
philosopher had never received any visits
from women, though he lived in city
that had in it many Europeans. who fol-
| lowed the manners of their own countries.
and many from other parts of the world,
that lived there with European liberty.
The ladies would not be refused. and
several schemes were proposed for the
accomplishment of their design. 1t was
proposed to introduce them as strangers
in distress. to whom the sage was always
accessible: but, after some deiberation,
it appeared that by this artifice no ac-
quaintance could be formed, for their
conversation would be short, and they
could not decently importune him often.
''Ihis," said Rasselas. sis true; but
have yet stronger objection against the
misrepresentation of your state. | have
always considered it as treason against
the great republic of human nature to
make any mans virtues the means of
deceiving him, whether on great or little
occasions. All imposture weakens conf
dence and chills benevolence. When the
c. ~ bon
seemed, he will feel the resentment
natural to a man who. conscious of great
abilities, discovers that he has been trick
ed by understandings meaner than his
own; and, perhaps, the distrust, which
he can never afterwards wholly lay aside,
may stop the voice of counsel and close
the hand of charity; and where will you
find the power of restoring his benefac-
self"
To this no reply was attempted. and
lmlac began to hope that their curiosity
would Subsde but. next day. Pekuah
told him She had now found an honest
pretence for visit TO the astronomer. fol
she would solicit permission to continue
under him the studies in which she had
been initiated by the Arab. and the
princess might 90 with her either As &
fellow student. or because woman
could not decently come alone. II an
afraid" said lmlac. "that he will be SoUl
weary of your company; men advanced
far in knowledge do not love to repeat
the elements of their art. and | am moi
certain that even of the elements. as h,
will deliver them connected with infer
ences and mingled with reflections, yOl
are very capable audtress. '-'That,
said Pekuah. unjust be my care; | ask OF
you only to take me thither. My knowl
edge Is, perhaps. more than you imagine
it; and, by concurring always with hi,
opinions, shall make him think it great
er than it is
The astronomer, in pursuance of thi,
resolution. was told that foreign lady
travelling in search of knowledge. hat
heard of his reputation, and was DESTROYS
T. to become his scholar. The uncommon
ness of the proposal raised at once hi
surprise and curiosity; and when, afte
a short deliberation, he consented t,
admit her. he could not stay without i'm
U patience till the next day.
The ladies dressed themselves mag
niticently, and were attended by Imlac t,
the astronomer, who was pleased to Sc
himself approached with respect by per
sons of so splendid an appearance In tn
exchange of the first civilties he wa
timOrOus and bashful; but when the tall
became regular, he recollected his powers
and justified the character which Imla
, had given. Inquiring of Pekuah. wha
could have turned her inclination toward
q astronomy? he received from her a his
It tory of her adventure at the pyramid, an
of the time passed in the Arabs island
/ She told her tale with ease and elegance
and her conversation took possession O
his heart. The discourse was then turn
ed to astronomy: Pekuah displayed wha
she knew: he looked upon her as a pre-
=, dizzy of genius, and entreated her not t
II desist from a study which she had :
1t happily begun.
They came again and again. and wer
!. every time more welcome than before
The sage endeavored toamuse them, tina
- they might prolong their visits, for h
found his thoughts grow brighter i
. their company; the clouds of solicitnd
l. vanished by degrees, as he forced himsel
to entertain them; and he greyed whe
he was left at their departure to his oil
II employment of regulating the seasons.
k The princess and her favorite had nov
=, watched his lips for several months, an
,e could not catch Il single word from whic
Of they could judge whether he continue
II or not in the opinion of his preternatur'
commission, They often contrived t
- bring him to an open declaration; but Il
e easily eluded all their attacks, and o
a. which side soever they pressed hil