Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-08-13


lived from early youth in that narrow
spot: of what they had not seen they
could have no knowledge, for they could
not read. They had no ideas but of the
few things that were within their view,
and had hardly names for anything but
their clothes and their food. As bore
a superior character, was often called
to terminate their quarrels. which de-
cided as equitably as could. If it could
have amused me to hear the complaints
of each against the rest, might have
been often detained by long stories but
the motives of their animosity were so
small that could MT listen without in
terrupting the tale"
Glow" said Rasselas, ''can the Arab.
whom you represented as man of more
than common accomplishments, take any
pleasure in his seraglo when it is filled
only with women like these? Are they
eXquisitely beautiful
"'They do not" said Pekuah, "want
that unatiecting and ignoble beauty
which may subsist without sprightiness
or sublimity. without energy of thought
or dignity of virtue. But to man like
the Arab such beauty was only flower
casually plucked and carelesslv thrown
away. Whatever pleasures he might find
among them, they were not those of
friendship or society. When they were
playing about him. he looked on them
with inattentive superiority; when they
Wed for his regard, he sometimes turned
away Disguised. As they had no knowl-
edge, their talk could take nothing from
the tediousness of life: as they had no
choice, their tOndness, or appearance of
fOndness, excited in him neither pride
nor gratitude he was not exalted in his
own esteem by the smiles of a woman
who saw no other man nor was much
obliged by that regard, of which he could
never know the sincerity, and which he
might often perceive to be exerted, not
so much to delight him as to pain IA rival.
That which he gave, and they received,
as love, was only careless distribution
of superfluous time. such love as man
can bestow upon that which he despises.
such as has neither hope nor fear, neith-
er Joy nor SORROW
"lou have reason, lady, to think your
self happy" said Imlac," that you have
been thus easily dismissed How could
a mind. hungry for knowledge. be will
ing, in an intellectual famine, to lose
such Il banquet as Pekuah', CONVERSE
tom"
IL am inclined to believe" answered
Pekuah. 'tlat he was for some time in
suspense: for Notwithstanding hi, prom
Use, whenever proposed to despatch Il
messenger to Cairo. he found some eX-
cuse for delay. While | was detained in
his house he made many excursions into
the neighboring countries. and, perhaps,
he would have refused to discharge me.
had his plumber been equal to his wishes.
lie returned always courteous, related
his adventures, delighted to hear my
observations. and endeavored to advance
my acquaintance with the stars. When
| importuned him to send away my let
tiers. he Soothed me with professions of
honor and sincerity: and. when | could
be no longer decently denied. PUT his
troop again in motion, and left me to
govern in his absence. | was much
afflicted by this studied procrastination,
and was sometimes afraid that should
be forgotten; that you would leave Cairo.
and | must end my days in an island of
the Nile.
II grew at last hopeless and detected.
and cared so little to entertain him that
he for "A while more frequently talked
with my maids. That he should fall in
love with them, or with me, might have
been equally fatal, and was not much
pleased with the growing friendship.
My anxiety was not long; for, as re-
covered some degree of cheerfulness, he
returned to me and | could not forbear
to despise my former uneasiness.
He still delayed to send for my ran
sum, anu "puib' ItNtI law
termined, had not your agent found his
way to him. The gold. which he would
not fetch, he could not reject when it
was offered. He fastened to prepare for
our journey hither, like IA man delivered
from the pain of an intestine conflict.
| took leave of my companions in the
house, who dismissed me with cold in
difference"
relation, rose and embraced her; and
Rasselas gave her hundred ounces of
gold, which she presented to the Arab
for the fifty that were promised.
CHAPTER NJ.