tended to take up with a coach and six, half a dozen footinen, and live like a private gentleman. It happened about this time that public matters looked very gloomy, taxes came haid, the war went on heavily, people complained of the great burthens. that were laid upon them; this made me resolve to set aside one morning, to consider seriously the state of the nation. I was the more ready to enter on it, because I was obliged, whether I would or no, to sit at home in my morning gown, having, after a mosį incredible expense, pawned a new suit of clothes, and a full-bottomed wig, for a sum of money, which my operator assured me was the last he should want to bring all our matters to bear. After having considered many projects, I at length resolved to beat the common enemy at his own weapons; and laid a scheme which would have blown him up in a quarter of a year had things succeeded to my wishes. As I was in this golden dream, somebody knocked at my door. I opened it, and found it was a messenger that brought me a letter from the laboratory. The fellow looked so miserably poor, that I was resolved to make his fortune before he delivered his message: but secing he brought a letter from my operator, I concluded I was bound to it in honour, as much as a prince is to give a reward to one that brings him the first news of a victory. I knew this was the long-expected hour of projection, and which I had waited for, with great impatience, above half a year before. In short, I broke open my letter in a transport of joy, and found it as follows: Sir, After having got out of you every thing you can conveniently spare, I scorn to trespass upon your ge nerous nerous nature, and therefore must ingenuously confess to you, that I know no more of the philosopher's stone than you do. I shall only tell you for your comfort, that I never yet could bubble a block head out of his money. They must be men of wit and parts who are for my purpose. This made me apply myself to a person of your wealth and ingenuity. How I have succeeded you yourself can best tell. "Your humble servant to command, 6 THOMAS WHITE,' I have locked up the laboratory, and laid the key under the door.' I was very much shocked at the unworthy treatment of this man, and not a little mortified at my disappointment, though not so much for what I myself as what the public suffered by it. I think, however, I ought to let the world know what I designed for them, and hope that such of my readers who find they had a share in my good intentions, will accept of the will for the deed. ABDALLAH AND BALSORA. No. 167. THE following story is lately translated out of an Arabian manuscript, which I think has very much the turn of an oriental tale; and, as it has never before been printed, I question not but it will be highly acceptable to my reader. The name of Helim is still famous through all the eastern parts of the world. He is called among the Persians, manner. This was followed by an invisible dessert, no part of which delighted Schacabac so much as a certain lozenge, which the barmecide told him was a sweetmeat of his own invention. Schacabac at Jength, being courteously reproached by the barmecide, that he had no stomach, and that he ate nothing, and at the same time, being tired with moving his jaws up and down to no purpose, desired to be excused, for that really he was so full he could not cat a bit more. Come then,' says the barmecide, the cloth shall be removed, and you shall taste of my wines, which I may say, without vanity, are the best in Persia.' He then filled both their glasses out of an empty decanter. Schacabac would have excused himself from drinking so much at once, because he said he was a little quarrelsome in his liquor: however, being prest to it, he pretended to take it off, having before-hand praised the colour, and afterwards the flavour. Being plied with two or three other imaginary bumpers of different wines, equally delicious, and a little vexed with this fantastic treat, he pretended to grow flustered, and gave the barmecide a good box on the car: but inmediately recovering himself, Sis,' says he, I beg ten thousand pardons, but I told you before that it was my misfortune to be quarrelsome in my drink. The barmecide could not but smile at the humour of his guest; and instead of being angry at him, I find,' says he, thou art a • complaisant fellow, and deservest to be entertained in my house. Since thou canst accommodate thyself to my humour, we will now eat together in good earnest. Upon which, calling for his supper, the rice-soup, the goose, the pistachio-lamb, the several other other nice dishes, with the dessert, the lozenges, and all the variety of Persian wines, were served up successively, one after another; and Schacabac was feasted in reality, with those very things which he had before been entertained with in imagination. SPEECH OF PLUTO TO PROSERPINE. No. 164. THE beauty of the following translation is sufficient to recommend it to the public, without acquainting them that the translator is Mr. Eusden of Cambridge, who obliged them, in the Guardian of August the 6th, with the Court of Venus out of the same Latin poet, which was highly applauded by the best judges in performances of this nature. The Speech of Pluto to Proserpine, from the second Book of ber Rape, by Claudian. Cease, cease, fair nymph, to lavish precious tears, And discompose your soul with airy fears. Look on Sicilia's glitt'ring courts with scorn; A fairer scene shall open to your view, Another Another Pharbus gilds those happy skies, That golden age your world a while could boast, A monarch tree projects no vulgar shade. The |