The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-31

sions were suppressed: how man was truly great and master of himself when he was no longer the slave of fear nor einaciatd by envy nor de- pressed by grief, but moved calmly th rough the tumults and privations of life. armed with invulnerable patience.
 Rasselas was directed so deeply by his teachings that he sought a private audience a few days Iater.. To his surprise he found the philosopher weeping. You come at 8 time when have suffered . loss that cannot be re- paired" cried the philosopher. My daughter, my only daughter who filled my whole heart, is dead. She has been taken from me in my lonely age. For me everything is at an end.e
 tSir," said the Prince, repeating one of the sage's own arguments, mortal. fly is an event wh&zh cannot startle g wise man. We khow that death is always near, and, therefore ,always to be expected. Have your wisdom and reason no strength to arm your heart?"
 nWhat comfort can wisdom and req son afford to me-" Eroaned the mourn CT, beating his breast, except to tell me 3he extent of my loss and to make me feel that have lost my daugher forever2"
 Rasselas turned away and continued his search elsewhere till he heard of hermit who lived on the lowest cata: ract, of the Nile and who. was famed for his wisdom. ImIac and the prin- cess agreed to accompany him, and they set forth with 6 retinue adequate to the Journey.
 On the way they passed into a region of peaceful fields, where shepherds tended their innocent hocks. "Ah," cried the Princess. this is the life that have heard praised by everybody All fya cal hra nocence and quet. Perhaps our search will end here, in this simple pastoral world"
 They stopped their journey and stayed long enough to gain the conf dence of the shepherds. To their dis appointment they found the people so ignorant that they could not tell IT their occupation had more of good than evil. Only one thing became clear to Rasselas and Nekayab. and that was that they were discontented. consider ling themselves as cursed to labor Tor the rich. 5Es.
 The next day they came into beau tiful domain where the most perfect art had been used to increase the charm of generous nature. Woods ana streams were there in primeval lovei- ness. Handsome youths danced and sang ln the open glades. Everywhere were signs that the master of the land was no less lovable than rich
 The master invited the party to his naIace and entertained them with luxury that was rendered unob- trusive by his simple hospitality Rasselas finally congratulated him on his ideal condition. In reply he sigh ed and said.. "My prosperity has done me. The Bassa of Egypt has become envious of my possessions am now sending away what l can or my wealth, for 1t is only matter or time before I shau be compelled 10 flee"
 IrnIac looked at Rasselas with
 compassionate glance that said:
 "You see how rare true happiness is
 0n the third day they. came to the hermit's cell. He welcomed them with ! inc words and manners of one accus- | toned to courts. After he had set food before them, they told him why | thev sought him. ''I am trying 10 make my choice of life" said the Prince. Your example recopaends | solitude" ! in solitude" answered the hermit,
 but I will not recommend it. l was the commander of an army, when a | younger officer began to gain fame, | and l. feeling that my vigor was de- caying resolved to seek peace, haV- | ing found the world full Of snares | and discord. I retreated to this place | At first l felt like a tempest-beaten sailor when he enters harbor. But for many years I have been unsettled and distracted. have found that the life of a, solitary man is certain to be ! miserable, but not certain to be de-
 vout. We cannot escape our minds. have decided to return to the world" !" l They heard his decision with disap-
 pointment. but offered to conduct him to Cairo He dug up treasure that he had hidden among the rocks and | when he saw the city at last. he gaz- l ed on 1t with such rapture that Ras-
 seIas realized how empty his solitary | philosophy had been.
 The Prince told the story of the ! hermit to & great philosopher of Cairo
 who smiled tndulgently and replied:
 "Nothing is so foolish as to inquire
 blindIy for happiness when nature has already placed 1t close within our