Year: 1859

A very rich man, who had gained the
favor of many esteemed personages, as
well as those of more humble stations, by
his benevolence, was induced through wise
motives, to render one of his slaves happy
by granting him his freedom; after which
he fitted out for him a vessel, laden with
valuable merchandise. "Now," said he to
him, "go-sail to foreign land, traffic with
this merchandise, and all the gain shall be
thine The slave departed as he was COM
manded, and was much delighted with the
prospects before him: anticipating great
pleasure in the variety of scenery which
would surround him, and especially in the
enjoyment of so much wealth, which had
been bestowed upon him Unexpectedly by
bis benefacior. But scarcely had be launch
ed out upon the great ocean, when sudden
ly a violent storm arose, and in spite of all
human efforts the ship was dashed upon
rock and broken to pieces, when bis rich
merchandise, together with all his compan-
ions, sunk 10 rise no more; and he alone
was saved las if by miracie) by swimming
TO the shore Of a neighboring island. Hun
CRY, raked and alone he went on the island,
and griyed much over his misfortune. when
suddenly he perceived at a distance a
large city, out of which came multitude
of inhabitants to meet him, rejoicing and
making loud noise. BLESSINGS on our
King! blessings on our Kingl" they cried,
and seized him, put him in splendid car
riage, and conveyed him in their city, took
him into kings palace, put purple robe
upon him, placed diadem on his forehead,
and set him on a golden throne. All the
high officers of the island surrounded him,
bowed low before him, and swore the oath
of fidelity to him, in the name of all the
people. He was greatly astonished at
their proceedings, and knew not what would
be the result. II cannot comprehend" said
he to himself, "what has induced this peo-
pie TO make me, a foreigner, TO be their
king, and permit me to rule over them.-
They knew not who l was, neither did
they inquire where | came from; yet they
have set me upon their golden throne, and
given their sceptre into my hands," While
thus contemplating on the incidents which
bad transpired so mysteriously, he was anx-
ious to know the cause of his elevation,
and resolved TO ask one of the gentry of his
court, who he thought was wise man to
unfold the mystery to him. "Wise vi
sier," said he TO him, ''why have you made
me to be your kings How did you know
that had come to your island, and what
will become of me at last" 80, King"
answered the Visier, "this island is inhab-
tied by spirits who have prayed fervently
for long lime to the Almighty to send
them son of Adam annually, who might
sit upon their throne, and exert his pow
ers over them. The Almighty has grant
ed their request, and every year, on the
same day of The month. for some time pre-
vious, a man has been landed upon our is
land, and the inhabitants have hastened to
meet him as you have seen, rejoiced over
him, and recognized him for their king.
But his sovereignty only lasted one year,
and when this time had passed away, and
the appointed day appeared, he was seized
in his palace, disrobed of his dignity, and
his kingly apparel was taken from him,
and he was forcibly carried by his servants
to the shore, and conveyed away to an
other island, which is deserted and DESC
late; and he who was a few days previous
mighty king, who swayed bis scepter at
his will, was now cast upon that desoiate
island on which he found neither subjects
ncr friends. No one is there to mitigate
his sorrows, or to express feeling of SYM
pathy for him during his sufferings, and he
Is obliged TO drag out miserable exist
ence, if he has not employed his time
wisely during his reign. after the ban
ishment of all the old kings, the people
subject themselves to the new which the
Almighty sends them annually, without
exception, upon which they confer the same
honor as they did upon those of the former.
This, 0, King! is the everlasting law of
our empire, which no king during his reign
can change or abolish" "Have my prede


cessors been informed of the short dura-
ton of their sovereignty at their reception
on The islands 2" asked the King, anxiously.
To which the Visier replied, "From none
of them was the short duration of their
sovereignty withheld, but they were duly
informed at their reception, and the laws
of the kingdom placed before them, for
their perusal. But instead of spending
their time wisely, as was in their power TO
do, some of them permitted themselves to
beblinded by the splendor which surrounded
their throne, and thought not of the future
misery which awaited them. Others were
SO much intoxicated with the sweetness of
their pleasures, that they dared not think
of the future, for fear it would impair their
present enjoyments, and they staggered
from eae degree of pleasure to another,
until their time was ap, and they were
thrown into the ship which conveyed them


to that Island from which there is no pos
sIbie means OF escape. When the appoint


ed day came, they all began to mourn over


their facination; but now it was forever too
late, and they were borne away without


mercy to their everlasting exile" This
narrative of the spirit filed the heart of the
king with fear, and he trembled for the fate
Of the former king, and wished to escape
their unhappiness. He perceived with ter
ror that portion Of his time had already
passed away, and that it was necessary for
him to employ the remaining days which
were allotted to him wisely. "Wise vi
sier," said he to the spirit, "thou hast in
formed me of my furture destiny, and the
short duration of my kingly power, but
now | request thee to inform me what I