Aladdin, or, The wonderful lamp

ALADDIN;

OR,

THE WONDERFUL LAMP.

AN EASTERN TALE.

Aladdin’s Palace.

GLASGOW:

PRINTED FOR THE BOOKSELLERS.

ALADDIN;

OR THE

WONDERFUL LAMP.

---

In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom of China, the name of which I do not recollect, there lived a tailor whose name was Mustapha, without any other distinction but that which his profession afforded him, and so poor, that he could hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and family, which consisted of a wife and son.

His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up after a very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many vicious habits. He was wicked, obstinate, and disobedient to his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within doors; but he would go out early in the morning, and stay out all day, playing in the streets and public places with little vagabonds of his own age.

When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, not being able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and shewed him how to use his needle: but neither good words nor the fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius. All that his father could do to keep him at home to mind his work was in vain; for no sooner was his back turned, but Aladdin was gone for that day. Mustapha chastised him, but Aladdin was incorrigible; and his father, to his great grief, was forced to abandon him to his libertinism; and was so much troubled at not being able to reclaim him, that it threw him into a fit of sickness, of which he died in a few months.

The mother of Aladdin, finding that her son would not follow his father’s business, shut up the shop, sold all the implements of that trade, and with the money that she got for them, and what she could get by spinning cotton, thought to maintain herself and her son.

Aladdin, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father, and who cared so little for his mother, that whenever she chid him he would fly in her face, gave himself entirely over to dissipation, and was never out of the streets from his companions. This course he followed till he was fifteen years old, without giving his mind to any thing whatever, or the best reflection on what would become of him. In this situation, as he was one day playing according to custom, in the street, with his vagabond troop, a stranger passing by stood still to observe him.

This stranger was a famous magician, called by the writer of this story the African Magician; and by that name I shall call him with the more propriety, as he was a native of Africa, and had been but two days come from thence.

Whether the African magician, who was a good physiognomist, had observed in Aladdin’s countenance something which was absolutely necessary for the execution of the design he came about, he inquired artfully about his family, who he was, and what were his inclinations; and when he had learned all he desired to know, he went up to him, and taking him aside from his comrades, said to him, Child, was not your father called Mustapha the tailor? —Yes, sir, answered Aladdin, but he has been dead a long time.

At these words, the African magician threw his arms about Aladdin’s neck, and kissed him several times with tears in his eyes. Aladdin, who observed his tears, asked him, What made him weep? Alas! my son, cried the African magician with a sigh, how can I forbear? I am your uncle; your good father was my own brother. I have been a great many years abroad traveling, and now I am come home with the hopes of seeing him, you tell me he is dead. I assure you it is a sensible grief to me to be deprived of the comforts I expected. But it is some relief to my affliction, that as far as I can remember him, I knew you at first sight, you are be like him; and I see I am not deceived.

Aladdin, who had never heard of any brother of his father’s, stood like one stupified, till his pretended uncle pulled out two pieces of gold, and gave them to him, bidding him run home and desire his mother to get a supper ready, as he intended to spend a few hours with his beloved sister-in-law that very evening. Aladdin, having pointed out the house, hastened home with the gold and the tidings to his mother, who was no less amazed than himself. She had never heard her husband mention more than one brother, and that one was also a tailor, and had died before Aladdin was born. She could not, however, doubt the word of a gentleman who had sent her two pieces of gold; so she went joyfully to market, where she bought excellent provisions. The magician came at the appointed time, loaded with wine, and all sorts of fruit which he brought for a dessert; and having saluted his dear sister-in-law, as he called her, made choice of a place, and sat down, he said to Aladdin’s mother: My good sister, I am very much afflicted at the hearing of my brother’s death, for whom I always had a brotherly love and friendship. But God be praised for all things! it is a comfort to me to find him again in a son, who has his most remarkable features.

The African magician, perceiving that Aladdin’s mother began to weep at the remembrance of her husband, changed the discourse, and turning towards Aladdin, asked him his name. I am called Aladdin, said he, Well, Aladdin, replied the magician, what business do you follow? Are you of any trade?

At this question, Aladdin hung down his head, when his mother made answer, Aladdin is an idle fellow; his father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him his trade, but could not succeed; and since his death, notwithstanding all that I can say to him, he does nothing but idle away his time in the streets as you saw him, without considering he is no longer child; and if you do not make him ashamed of it, and make him leave it off, I despair of his ever coming to any good. He knows that his father left him no fortune, and sees me endeavour to get bread by spinning cotton every day; for my part, I am resolved one of these days to turn him out of doors, and let him provide for himself.

After these words, Aladdin’s mother burst out into tears; and the magician said, This is not well, nephew; you must think of helping yourself, and getting your livelihood. There are a great many sorts of trades, consider if you have not an inclination to some of them; perhaps you did not like your father’s trade, and would prefer another: what think you of keeping a shop? But finding that Aladdin returned no answer, he said, If you like, I will take one for you, and furnish it with all kinds of fine stuffs and linens. This proposal greatly flattered Aladdin, who mortally hated work, and had sense enough to know that such sorts of shops were very much esteemed and frequented, and the owners honoured and respected. He told the magician he had a greater inclination to that business than to any other, and that he should be very much obliged to him all his life for his kindness. Since this profession is agreeable to you, said the African magician, I will carry you along with me to-morrow, and clothe you as richly and handsomely as the best merchants in the city, and after that we will think of opening a shop as I mean.

Aladdin’s mother, who never till then could believe that the magician was her husband’s brother, no longer doubted it after his promises of kindness to her son. She thanked him for his good intentions; and then the magician, who saw that the night was pretty far advanced, took his leave of the mother and son, and retired.

He came again the next day, as he promised, and took Aladdin along with him to a great merchant, who sold all sorts of fine clothes, ready made. After choosing a suit which he liked best, the magician immediately bought it. When Aladdin found himself so handsomely equipped from top to toe, he returned his uncle all imaginable thanks; who, on the other hand, promised never to forsake him, but always to take him along with him; which he did to the most frequented places in the city. He showed him the sultan’s palace, where he had free access; and at last brought him to his own khan or inn, where meeting with some merchants he had got acquainted with since his arrival, he gave them a treat, to bring them and his pretended nephew acquainted.

This treat lasted till night, when Aladdin would have taken his leave of his uncle to go home; but the magician would not let him go by himself, but conducted him safe to his mother, who, as soon as he saw him so finely dressed, was transported with joy, and bestowed a thousand blessings upon the magician for being at so great an expense upon her child. Then the African magician took his leave, and retired. Aladdin rose early the next morning and dressed himself; and after he had waited some time for his uncle, he began to be impatient, and stood watching for him at the door; but as soon as he perceived him coming, he told his mother, took his leave of her, and ran to meet him.

The magician carressed Aladdin when became to him: Gome along, my dear child, said he, and I will show you fine things. Then he led him out at one of the gates of the city, to some large line houses, to each of which belonged beautiful gardens, into which any body might go. At every house he came to, he asked Aladdin if he did not think it fine; and Aladdin was ready to answer when any one presented itself, crying out, Here is a finer house, uncle, than any we have seen yet. By this artifice the cunning magician got Aladdin a pretty way in the country; and as he had a mind to carry him farther, to execute his design, he took an opportunity to sit down in one of the gardens by a fountain of clear water: Come, nephew, said he, you must be weary as well as I; let us rest ourselves, and we shall be better able to walk.

After they had sat down, the magician pulled from his girdle a handkerchief with cakes and fruit, which he had provided on purpose. He broke a cake in two, gave one half to Aladdin, and ate the other himself; and in regard to the fruit, he left him at liberty to take which sort he liked best. When they had eaten up as much as they liked, they got up, and pursued their walk through the gardens, and by this means, the African magician drew Aladdin insensibly beyond the gardens, and crossed the country, till they almost came to the mountains.

Aladdin, who had never been so far in his life before, began to find him self much tired with so long a walk, and said to the magician, Where are we going, uncle? we have left the gardens a great way behind us, and I see nothing but mountains; if we go much farther, I do not know whether I shall be able to reach the town again. Never fear, nephew, said the false uncle; I will show you another garden, which surpasses all we have yet seen; it is not far off, it is but a little step; and when we come there, you will say that you would have been sorry to have been so nigh it, and not seen it. Aladdin was soon persuaded; and the magician, to make the way seem shorter and less fatiguing, told him a great many stories.

At last they came between two mountains of moderate height, and equal size, divided by a narrow valley which was the place where the magician intended to bring Aladdin, to put into execution a design that had brought him from Africa to China. We will go no farther now, said he to Aladdin; I will show you here some very extraordinary things, and what nobody ever saw before; which, when you have seen, you will thank me for: but while I strike fire, do you gather up all the loose sticks you can see, to kindle a fire with.

Aladdin found there so many dried sticks, that before the magician had lighted a match, he had gathered up a great heap. The magician presently set them on fire, and when they were all in a blaze, the magician threw in some incense he had about him, which raised a great cloud of smoke, which he dispersed on each side, by pronouncing several magical words that Aladdin did not understand.

At the same time the earth trembled a little, and opened just before the magician and Aladdin, and discovered a stone about half a yard square, laid horizontally, with a brass ring fixed into the middle of it, to raise it up by. Aladdin was so frightened at what he saw, that he would have run away; but the magician perceiving his design, caught hold of him, and gave him such a box on the ear, that he knocked him down. Poor Aladdin got up again trembling, and with tears in his eyes, said, What have done, uncle, to be treated after this severe manner? I have my reasons for it, replied the magician: I am your uncle, and you you ought to make no reply; but obey me punctually, if you would reap the advantages which I intend you should.— These fair promises calmed Aladdin’s fears and resentment; and when the magician saw that he was come to himself, he said to him: Know then, that under this stone there is hid a treasure, which will make you richer than the greatest monarch in the world: this is so true, that no other person but yourself is permitted to touch this stone, and to pull it up and go in; for I am forbid ever to touch it, or set foot in this treasure when it is opened; so you must without fail punctually execute what I tell you, for it is a matter of great consequence both to you and me.

Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard the magician say of the treasure, which was to make him happy for ever, forgot what was past, said to the magician, Well, uncle, what is to be done? command me, I am ready to obey you. Come, said the magician, take hold of the ring, and lift up that stone, pronounce the names of your father and grandfather, then lift it tip, and you will find it will come easily. Aladdin did as the magician bade him, and raised the stone with a great deal of ease, and laid it on one side.

When the stone was pulled up, there appeared a cavity of about three or four feet deep, with a little door, and steps to go down lower. Observe, my son, said the African magician, what I am going to say to you: go down into that cave, and when you are at the bottom of those steps, you will find a door open, which will lead you into a large vaulted place, divided into three great halls, in each of which you will see four large brass vessels placed on each side, full of gold and silver, but take care you do not meddle with them. Before you go into the first hall, be sure to tuck up your gown, and wrap it well about you, and then go through the second into the third without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do not touch the walls, so much as with your clothes; for if you do, you will die instantly. At the end of the third hall, you will find a door which leads into a garden planted with fine trees loaded with fruit; walk directly across the garden by a path which will lead you to five steps that will bring you upon a terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche a lighted lamp. Take the lamp down, and put it out; when you have thrown away the wick, and poured out the liquor, put it in your breast, and bring it to me. Do not be afraid that the liquor will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil, and the lamp will be dry as soon as it is thrown out.

After these words, the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put it upon one of Aladdin’s, telling him that it was a preservative against all evil, while he observed what he had prescribed to him. After this instruction ho said, Go down boldly, child, and we shall both be rich all our lives.

Aladdin jumped into the cave, went down the steps, and found the three halls just as the African magician had described them.—He went through them with all the precaution the fear of death could inspire, If he failed to observe all that he was told very carefully; crossed the garden without stopping, took down the lamp from the niche, threw out the wick and the liquor, and, as the magician told him, put it in his bosom. But as he came down from the terrace, seeing it was perfectly dry, he stopped in the garden to observe the fruit, which he only had a glimpse or in crossing it. All the trees were loaded with extraordinary fruit, of different colours on each tree: some bore fruit entirely white, and some clear and transparent as crystal; some pale red, and others deeper; some green, blue, and purple, and others yellow; in short, there was fruit of all colours. The white were pearls; the clear and transparent, diamonds; the deep red, rubies; the paler, ballas rubies; the green, emeralds; the blue, turquoises; the purple, amethysts; and those that were of yellow cast, sapphires; and so of the rest. All these fruits were so large and beautiful, that nothing was ever seen like them.—Aladdin was altogether ignorant of their value, yet he was so pleased with the variety of the colours, and the beauty and extraordinary size of the fruit, that he filled his pockets, and two purses his uncle had given him; and as he could not put them in his pockets, he fastened them to his girdle.

Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches, he returned with the same precaution, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the African magician expected him with the utmost impatience. As soon as Aladdin saw him, he cried out, Pray, uncle, lend me your hand to help me out. Give me the lamp first, replied the magician; Indeed, uncle, answered Aladdin, I cannot now. The African magician was so obstinate, that he would have the lamp before he would help him up; and Aladdin, who had incumbered himself so much with his fruit, that he could not well get at it, refused to give him it till he was out of the cave. The African magician, provoked at this obstinate refusal, flew into a terrible passion, and threw a little of his incense into the fire, and no sooner pronounced two magical words, but the stone which had closed the mouth of the cave moved into its place, with the earth over it.

When Aladdin found himself buried alive, he cried, and called out to his uncle to tell him he was ready to give him the lamp; but all in vain, since his cries could not be heard by him, and he remained in this dark abode. At last, when he had quite tired himself with crying, he went to the bottom of the steps, with a design to get into the garden, where it was light; but the door, which was opened before by enchantment, was now shut by the same means. Then he redoubled his cries and tears, and sat down on the steps, without any hopes of ever seeing the light again, and in a melancholy certainty of passing from the present darkness into that of a speedy death.

Aladdin remained in this state two days without eating, or drinking, and on the third day looked upon death as inevitable.—Clasping his hands with an entire resignation to the will of God, he said, There is no strength or power but in the great and high God. In this action of joining his hands, he rubbed the ring which the magician put on his finger, and immediately a genius of an enormous size and frightful look rose out of the earth, and said, What wouldst thou have with me? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all who have the ring, on thy finger; I, and the other slaves of that ring.

Aladdin, who had not been used to such visions, would have been so frightened, that he would not have been able to speak at the sight of so extraordinary a figure; but the danger he was in made him answer without hesitation, Whoever thou art, deliver me from this place, if thou art able. He had no sooner made an end of these words, but the earth opened, and he found himself on the very spot where the magician first brought him.

It was sometime before Aladdin’s eyes could bear the light, after having been so long in total darkness; and he could not comprehend how he had got so soon out of its bowels. He remembered the way he had come, and hastened back to the city, where he found his mother in the greatest grief. The joy to see her, and his faintness for want of sustenance for three days, made him faint, and he remained for a long time as dead. As soon as he recovered, the first words he spake were, Pray, mother, give me something to eat, for I have not put a morsel of any thing into my mouth these three days. His mother brought what she had, and set it before him. My son, said she, be not too eager, for it is dangerous; eat but a little at a time, and take care of yourself.

Aladdin took his mother’s advice, and ate and drank moderately. When he had done, Mother, said he to her, I cannot help complaining of you, for abandoning me so easily to the discretion of a man who had a design to kill me, and who at this very moment thinks my death certain.

Then Aladdin began to tell his mother all that happened to him from Friday, when the magician took him to see the palaces and gardens about that town, and what fell out in the way, till they came to the place between the two mountains, and his taking the wonderful lamp, which he pulled out of his bosom and showed to his mother, as well as the transparent fruit of different colours, which he had gathered in the garden as he returned, two purses full of which he gave to his mother. But, though these fruits were precious stones, brilliant as the sun, and the reflection of a lamp, which then lighted the room might have led them to think they were of great value, she was as ignorant of their worth as her son. She had been bred in a middling rank of life, so that we must not wonder that she looked on them as things of no value, and only pleasing to the eye by the variety of their colours.

Aladdin put them behind one of the cushions of the sofa he sat upon, and continued his story, telling his mother, that upon his refusal to give the magician the lamp till he had got out, the stone, by his throwing some incense into the fire, and using two or three magical words, stopped it up, and the earth closed again. When he found himself buried alive in a dismal cave, by the touching of his ring, he, properly speaking, came to life again. When he had made an end of his story, he said to his mother, I need say no more; you know the rest.

Aladdin’s mother heard with so much patience as not to interrupt him, his surprising and wonderful relation; and when Aladdin had finished his story, she broke out into a thousand reproaches against that vile impostor. She called him a perfidious traitor, barbarian, assassin, deceiver, magician, and an enemy and destroyer of mankind. She said a great deal more against the magician’s treachery; but finding while she talked, her son Aladdin, who had not slept for three days and nights, began to nod, she put him to bed, and soon after went to bed herself.

Aladdin, who had not had one wink of sleep while he was in the subterraneous abode, slept very heartily all that night, and never waked till the next morning; when the first thing that he said to his mother was, he wanted something to eat. Alas! child, said she, I have not a bit of bread to give you, you ate up all the provisions I had in the house yesterday; but have a little patience, and it shall not be long before I will bring you some: I have a little cotton, which I have spun; I will go and sell it, and buy bread. Mother, replied Aladdin, keep your cotton against another time, and give me the lamp I brought home yesterday; I wilt go and sell it, and the money I shall get for it will serve both for breakfast and dinner, and perhaps supper too.

Aladdin’s mother took the lamp, and said to her son, it is very dirty; If it was a little cleaner I believe it would bring something more. She took a little fine sand to clean it; but hail no sooner begun to rub it, but in an instant a hideous genius of gigantic size appeared before her, and said to her in a voice like thunder, What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp.

Aladdin’s mother fainted away at the sight of this frightful genius; but Aladdin, who had once before seen such another genius in the cavern, instantly, snatched the lamp out of his mother’s hands, and said, boldly, I am hungry; bring me something to eat. The genius disappeared immediately, and in an instant returned with a large silver basin on his head, and twelve covered plates of the same metal, which contained some excellent meats; six large, white loaves on two other plates, and two bottles of wine, and two silver cups in each hand. All these things he placed upon a table, and disappeared; and all this was done before Aladdin’s mother came out of her swoon.

His mother, after she recovered, was very much surprised to see all these rarities. Child, said she to Aladdin, to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and liberality? It is no matter, mother, said Aladdin; let us sit down and eat; and when we have done, I will tell you. Accordingly both mother and son sat down, and ate with the better stomach, as the table was so well furnished.

The mother and son sat at breakfast till it was dinner-time, and then they thought it would be best to put the two meals together; yet after this, they found they should have enough left for supper, and two meals for the next day.

When Aladdin’s mother had taken away, and set by what was left, she went and sat down by her son on the sofa. Aladdin, said she, I expect now that you will tell me exactly what passed between the genius and you while I was in a swoon; which he presently complied with.

She was in as great amazement at what her son told her, as at the appearance of the genius; and said to him, how came that vile genius to address himself to me, and not to you, to whom he appeared before in the cave? Mother, answered Aladdin, the genius you saw is not the same who appeared to me, though he resembles him in size. If you remember, he that I first saw called himself the slave of the ring on my finger; and this you saw called himself the slave of the lamp you had in your hand: but I believe you did not hear him, for I think you fainted away as soon as he began to speak.

What! cried the mother, was your lamp then the occasion of that cursed genius’s addressing himself rather to me than to you? Ah! my son! take it out of my sight, and put it where you please. If you would take my advice, you would part also with the ring, and not have any thing to do with genii, who, as our prophet has told us, are only devils. With your leave, mother, replied Aladdin, I shall now take care how I sell a lamp, as I was going to do, which may be so serviceable both to you and to me. As for the ring, I cannot resolve to part with that neither; for, without that, you had never seen me again; and if it was gone, I might not be some moments hence; therefore I hope you will give me leave and to wear it always on my finger. As Aladdin’s arguments were just, his mother had nothing to say against them; but only replied, that she would have nothing to do with genii, but would wash her hands of them, and never say any thing more about them.

By the next night they had eaten all the provisions the genius had brought; and the next day Aladdin sold one of the silver plates to a Jew whom he met in the streets, for a piece of gold, though it was but the sixtieth part of the worth of the plate. Aladdin took the money very eagerly, and, before he went home to his mother, he called at a baker’s, bought a loaf, changed his money, and went home, and gave the rest to his mother, who went and bought provisions enough to last them some time. When he had sold the last plate, he had recourse to the basin, which he sold also to the Jew, for ten pieces of gold. They lived on these ten pieces in a frugal manner a pretty while.

When all the money was spent, Aladdin had recourse again to the lamp. He took it in his hand, looked for the same place where his mother had rubbed it with the sand, and rubbed it also, and the genius immediately appeared, and said, What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp. I am hungry, said Aladdin; bring me something to eat. The genius disappeared, and presently returned with a basin, and the same number of covered plates and other things, and set them down on a table, and vanished again.

Aladdin’s mother, knowing what her son was going to do, went out at that time about some business, on purpose to avoid being in the way when the genius came; and when she returned, she was almost as much

surprised as before, at the prodigious effect of the lamp. However, she sat down with her son, and when they had eaten as much as they had a mind to, she set enough by to last them two or three days.

As soon as Aladdin found that their provisions and money were spent, he took one of these plates, and went to look lor his Jew chapman again; and passing by a goldsmith’s shop, the goldsmith perceiving him, called to him, and said, My lad, I have often observed you go by, loaded as you are at present, and talk with such a Jew, and then come back again empty handed. I imagine that you carry something that you sell to him; but perhaps you do not know what a rogue he is. What I tell you is for your own good. If you will show me what you now carry, and if it is to be sold, I will give you the full worth of it; or I will direct you to other merchants who will not cheat you.

The hopes of getting more money for his plate induced Aladdin to pull it from under his coat, and shew it to the goldsmith. The old man, who at first sight saw that it was made of the finest silver, asked him if he had sold any such as that to the Jew, and Aladdin told him plainly that he had sold him twelve such, for a piece of gold each. What a villain cried the goldsmith; I will let you see how much the Jew has cheated you.

The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the plate and after he had told Aladdin how much an ounce of fine silver was worth, he demonstrated to him that his plate was worth by weight sixty pieces of gold, which he paid him down immediately.

Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure of money in their lamp, and might have had whatever they had a mind to every time it failed, yet they lived with the same frugality as before, except that Aladdin went more neat: as for his mother, she wore no clothes but what she earned by her spinning cotton. They went on for many years by the help of the produce which Aladdin, from time to time, made of his lamp.

One day, as Aladdin was walking about the town, he heard an order of the sultan’s published, for all people to shut up their shops and houses, and keep within doors, while the princess Badroulboudour, the sultan’s daughter, went to the baths and back again.

This public order inspired Aladdin with a great curiosity to see the princess’s face, which he could not do without placing himself behind the door of the bath, which was so situated that he could not fail of seeing her face.

Aladdin had not waited long before the princess came, and he could see her plainly through a chink of the door without being seen. When she came within three or four paces from the door of the baths, she took off her veil, and gave Aladdin an opportunity of a full look at her.

The princess was the most beautiful brunette in the world; her eyes were large, lively, and sparkling; her looks sweet and modest; her nose was of a just proportion and without a fault; her mouth small, her lips of a vermilion red, and charmingly agreeable in symmetry; in a word, all the features of her face were perfectly regular. With all these perfections the princess had so delicate a shape, so majestic an air, that the sight of her was sufficient to inspire respect.

After the princess had passed by Aladdin, and entered the baths, he remained some time astonished, and in a kind of ecstasy. But at last considering that the princess was gone past him, and that when she returned from the bath her back would be towards him, and then veiled, he resolved to quit his post and go home.

After supper, his mother asked him why he was so melancholy, but could get no information, and he determined to go to bed rather than give her the least satisfaction. Next day, after he arose, he told his mother all that he had done on the preceding day, to obtain a sight of the princess, and added, I cannot live without the possession of the amiable princess Badroulboudour, and am resolved to ask her in marriage of the sultan her father.

Aladdin’s mother listened with attention to what her son told her; but when he talked of asking the princess Badroulboudour in marriage of the sultan, she could not help bursting out into a loud laugh.

Indeed, son, replied the mother seriously, I think that you have quite forgot yourself; and if you would put this resolution of yours in execution, I do not see who you can get to venture to propose it for you. You, yourself, replied he immediately. I go to the sultan! answered the mother, amazed and surprised. I shall take care how I engage in such an affair. Have you forgot that your father was one of the poorest tailors in the capital, and that I am of no better extraction? and do not you know, that sultans never marry their daughters but to princes, sons of sultans like themselves?

Mother, answered Aladdin, I have told you that you must ask the princess Badroulboudour in marriage for me: it is a favour I desire of you, with ail the respect I owe you; and I beg of you not to refuse me.

The good old woman was very much embarrassed, when she found Aladdin so obstinately persisting in so foolish a design. My son, said she again, how could so extraordinary a thought come into your head, as that I should go to the sultan, and make a proposal to him, to give his daughter in marriage to you? Suppose I had, not to say the boldness, but the impudence to present myself before the sultan, and make so extravagant a request, to whom should I address myself to be introduced this majesty? Here is another reason, my son, which is, nobody ever goes to ask a favour of the sultan without a present; for by a present, they have this advantage, that if for some particular reasons the favour is denied, they are sure to be heard. But what presents have you to make? Therefore, reflect well on what you are about, and consider, that you aspire to a thing which is impossible for you to obtain.

Aladdin heard very calmly all that his mother could say to endeavour to dissuade him from his design, and after he had weighed her representation in all points, made answer: I own, mother, it is great rashness in me to presume to carry my pretensions so far. I love the Princess Badroulboudour beyond all you can imagine; and shall always persevere in my design, of marrying her. As to what you say about the present, I agree with you, and own that I never thought of it; but as to what you say that I have nothing fit to present him with, do not you think, mother, that what I brought home with me that day on which I was delivered from an inevitable death, may be an agreeable present? I mean those things you and I both took for coloured glasses; but now I am undeceived, and can tell you that they are jewels of an inestimable value, and fit for the greatest monarchs. In short, neither you nor I know the value of them; but be it as it will, by the little experience I have, I am persuaded that they will be received very favourably by the sultan: you have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let us see how they will look, when we have ranged them according to their different colours.

Aladdin’s mother fetched the china dish, and he took the jewels out of the two purses, and placed them in the dish. But the brightness and lustre they had in the day-time, so dazzled the eyes both of mother and son, that they were astonished beyond measure.

As it was now late, and the time of day for going to the sultan’s palace was passed, it was put off till the next. Aladdin took a great deal of pains to encourage his mother in the task she had undertaken to go to the sultan; while she could not persuade herself she could ever succeed. Child, said she to Aladdin, if the sultan should think of asking me where lie your riches and your estate, if, I say, he should ask me the question, what answer would you have me return him?

Let us not be uneasy, mother, replied Aladdin, I have thought of an answer, and am confident that the lamp, which hath subsisted us so long, will not fail me in time of need. Aladdin’s mother could not say any thing against what her son then proposed; but reflected that the lamp might be capable of doing greater wonders than just providing victuals for them. But above all things, mother, said Aladdin, be sure to keep the secret, for thereon depends the success we have to expect; and after this caution, they both parted to go to bed. But violent love, had so much possessed the son’s thoughts, that he could not rest. He rose at day-break, and went presently and awakened his mother, pressing her to get herself dressed to go to the sultan’s palace.

Aladdin’s mother did all her son desired. She took the china dish, and set forwards for the sultan’s palace, to the great satisfaction of Aladdin. When she came to the gates, the grand vizier, and most distinguished lords of the court, were just gone in; and notwithstanding the crowd of people who had business at the divan was extraordinarily great, she got into the divan. Several causes were called, according to their order, and pleaded and adjudged, until the time the divan generally broke up, when the sultan rising, dismissed the council, and returned to his apartment, attended by the grand vizier; the other viziers and ministers of state returned, as also did all those whose business called them thither; some pleased with gaining their causes, others dissatisfied at the sentence pronounced against them, and some in expectation of theirs being heard the next sitting.

Aladdin’s mother, seeing the sultan rise and retire, and all the people go away, judged rightly that he would not come again that day, and resolved to go home. When Aladdin saw her return with the present designed for the sultan, he knew not at first what to think of her success, nor had he courage enough to ask her any questions, till his mother freed him from his embarrassment, and told him all that had befallen her at the tan’s palace, and added, there is no harm done; I will go again to-morrow; perhaps the sultan may not be so busy.

She went six times afterwards on the days appointed, with as little success as the first time, and might have perhaps come a thousand times to as little purpose, if the sultan himself had not taken a particular notice of her. That day at last, after the council was broke up, when the sultan was returned to his own apartment, he said to his grand vizier, I have for some time observed a certain woman, who comes constantly every day that I go into council, and has something wrapped up in a napkin: do you know what she wants?

Sir, replied the grand vizier, who knew no more than the sultan what she wanted; perhaps this woman may come to complain to your majesty, that somebody has sold her some bad flour, or some such trifling matter. The sultan was not satisfied with this answer, but replied, If this woman comes again next council-day, do not fail to call her, that I may hear what she has to say.

The next council-day she went to the divan, and placed herself before the sultan as usual; and before the grand vizier had made his report of business, the sultan perceived her, and compassionating her for having waited so long, he said to the vizier, Before you enter upon any business, remember the woman I spoke to you about; bid her come near, and let us hear and dispatch her business first. The grand vizier immediately called the chief of the officers, and pointing to her, bid him go to that woman, and tell her to come before the sultan.

The chief of the officers went to Aladdin’s mother, and at a sign he gave her, she followed him to the foot of the sultan’s throne, where he left her, and retired to his place by the grand vizier. Aladdin’s mother, bowed her head down to the carpet, which covered the steps of the throne, and remained in that posture till the sultan bid her rise, which she had no sooner done, than the sultan said to her, Good woman, I have observed you to stand a long time, from the beginning to the rising of the divan; what business brings you here?

At these words, Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself a second time; and when she got up again, said, Monarch of monarchs, I beg of you to pardon the boldness or rather impudence of the demand I am going to make, which is so uncommon, that I tremble, and am ashamed to propose it to my sultan. In order to give her the more freedom to explain herself, the sultan ordered every body to go out of the divan but the grand vizier, and then told her that she might speak without restraint.

She then told him faithfully how Aladdin had seen the princess Badroulboudour, the violent love that fatal sight had inspired him with, the declaration he had made to her of it when he came home, and what representations she had made to dissuade him from a passion no less injurious, said she, to your majesty, as sultan, than to the princess your daughter. But, continued she, my son, instead of taking my advice and reflecting or his boldness, was so obstinate as to persevere in it, and to threaten me with some desperate act, if I refused to come and ask the princess in marriage of your majesty.

The sultan hearkened to this discourse with a great deal of mildness, but before he gave her any answer, he asked her what she bad brought tied up in that napkin. She took the china dish, untied it, and presented it to the sultan.

The sultan’s amazement and surprise were inexpressible, when he saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in one dish. After he had admired and handled them, one after another, he turned about to his grand vizier, and showing him the dish, said, Is it not worthy of the princess my daughter? And ought I not to bestow her on one who values her at so great a price?

These words put the grand vizier into a strange agitation. The sultan had some time before signified to him his intention of bestowing the princess his daughter on a son of his; therefore, he was afraid, that the sultan might change his mind. Thereupon, going to him, and whispering him in the ear, he said to him, Sir, I cannot but own that the present is worthy of the princess; but I beg of your majesty to grant me three months before you come to a resolution. I hope, before that time, my son, on whom you have had the goodness to look with a favourable eye, will be able to make a nobler present than Aladdin who is an entire stranger to your majesty.

The sultan, though he was very well persuaded that it was not possible for the vizier to provide so considerable a present for his son to make the princess, yet he hearkened to him, and granted him that favour. Turning about to Aladdin’s mother, he said to her, Good woman, tell your son that I agree to the proposal; but I cannot marry the princess my daughter till some furniture I design for her be got ready, which cannot be finished these three months; but at the expiration of that time come again.

Aladdin’s mother returned home much more overjoyed than she could have imagined, and told him all the particulars of the interview. Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all men, at hearing of this news. Though three months seemed an age, yet he disposed himself to wait with patience. When two of the three months were past, his mother one evening going to light the lamp, and finding no oil in the house, went out to buy some, and when she came into the city, found a general rejoicing. Aladdin’s mother asked the oil-merchant what was the meaning of all those doings. Whence came you, good woman, said he, that you don’t know that the grand vizier’s son is to marry the princess Badroulboudour, the sultan’s daughter to-night?

This was news enough for Aladdin’s mother. She ran till she was quite out of breath home to her son, Child, cried she, you are undone! the grand vizier’s son is to marry the princess Badroulboudour. She then related how she had heard it. At this account, Aladdin was thunderstruck. He bethought himself of the lamp; and went into his chamber, and took it and rubbed it in the same place as before, and immediately the genius appeared, and said to him, What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I and the other slaves of the lamp. What I ask of you, said Aladdin, is, That as soon as the bride and bridegroom are in bed, you bring them both hither in their bed. Master, replied the genius, I will obey you.

In the mean time, every thing was prepared with the greatest magnificence in the sultan’s palace to celebrate the princess’s nuptials; and the evening was spent with all the usual ceremonies and rejoicings till midnight. When the new-married couple had retired to bed, the genius took up the bed, and transported it in an instant into Aladdin’s chamber, where he set it down. Aladdin, did not suffer the vizier’s son to remain long in bed with the princess. Take this new-married man, said he to the genius, and shut him up in the house of office, and come again to-morrow morning after day break. The genius present took the vizier’s son out of bed, and carried him in his shirt whither Aladdin bid him; and after he had breathed upon him, which prevented his stirring, he left him there.

Great as was Aladdin’s love for the princess Badroulboudour, he did not talk much to her when they were alone; but only said with a passionate air, Fear nothing, adorable princess; If I have been forced to come to this extremity, it is not with any intention of affronting you, but to prevent an unjust rival’s possessing you contrary to the sultan your father's promise in favour of me. The fright and amazement of so unexpected an adventure had put her into such a condition, that he could not get one word from her. However, he undressed himself, and got into the vizier’s son’s place, and lay with his back to the princess, putting a sabre between himself and her, to show that he deserved to be punished, if he attempted any thing against her honour.

The genius came at the hour appointed, and said to him, I am here, master; what are your commands? Go, said Aladdin, fetch the vizier’s son out of the place where you left him, and put him into his bed again, and carry it to the sultan’s palace. The genius did so; and as soon as he had set down the nuptial-bed in its proper place, the sultan opened the door to wish her good morning. The grand vizier’s son, no sooner heard the door open, but he got out of bed, and ran into the wardrobe, where he had undressed himself the night before.

The sultan went to the bedside, kissed the princess between the eyes, according to custom, wishing her a good-morrow, and asked her, smiling how she had passed the night. She only cast at him a sorrowful look expressive of great affliction or great dissatisfaction. He said a few words to her; but finding that he could not get a word from her, he attributed it to her modesty, and retired. Nevertheless he suspected that there was something extraordinary in this silence, and thereupon went immediately to the sultaness’s apartment, and told her in what a state he found the princess, and how she received him. Sir, said the sultaness, all new-married people always have a reserve about them the next day; she will be quite another thing in two or three days time, and then she will receive the sultan her father as she ought; but I will go and see her, added she; I am very much deceived if she receives me in the same manner.

As soon as the sultaness was dressed, she went to the princess’s apartment, wished her good-morrow, and kissed her. But how great was her surprise when she returned no answer. How comes it, child, said she, that you do not return my caresses? Come, tell me freely, and leave me no longer in a painful suspense. At last the princess broke silence with a great sigh, and told the sultaness what had happened to her. The sultaness heard all the princess told her very patiently, but would not believe it. You did well, child, said she, not to speak of this to your father: take care not to mention it to any body; for you will certainly be thought mad if you talk at this rate. Madam, replied the princess, I can assure you I am in my right senses: ask my husband, and he will tell you the same story. I will, said the sultaness; but if he should talk in the same manner, I shall not be better persuaded of the truth.

Then she sent for the vizier’s son, to know of him something of what the princess had told her; but he resolved to disguise the matter. Son-in-law, said the sultaness, are you as much infatuated as your wife? Madam, replied the vizier’s son, may I be so bold as to ask the reason of that question? Oh! that is enough, answered the sultaness; I ask no more.

Aladdin never disputed but that the new-married couple were to be together again that night, and therefore, having as great an inclination to disturb them, he had recourse to his lamp, and when the genius appeared, he said to him, the grand vizier’s son and the princess are to lie together again to-night: go, and as soon as they are in bed, bring the bed hither.

The genius obeyed Aladdin as faithfully and exactly as the day before. The sultan was very anxious to know how she passed the second night, and therefore went into her chamber as early as the morning before. The grand vizier’s son no sooner heard him coining, but he jumped out of bed, and ran hastily into the wardrobe. Well, daughter, said the sultan, are you in a better humour than you was yesterday morning? Still the princess was silent, and the sultan perceived her to be more troubled than before, but provoked that his daughter should conceal it, he said to her in a rage, with his sabre in his hand, Daughter, tell me what is the matter, or I will cut off your head immediately. The princess at last broke silence, and said with tears in her eyes, My dear father and sultan, I ask your majesty’s pardon if I have offended you, and hope, that out of your goodness and clemency you will have compassion on me, when I have told you, in what a miserable condition I have spent this last night and the night before.

After this preamble, which appeased and affected the sultan, she told him what had happened to her in so moving a manner, that he was most sensibly grieved. The sultan immediately felt all the extreme uneasiness so surprising an adventure must have given the princess. And as soon as he got back to his own apartment, he sent for the grand vizier. Vizier, said he, have you seen your son, and has he not told you any thing ? The vizier replied, No. Then the sultan related all that the princess Badroulboudour had told him, and afterwards said, I do not doubt but that my daughter has told me the truth; but nevertheless I should be glad to. have it confirmed by your son; therefore go and ask him how it was. The grand vizier went immediately to his son, and communicated to him what the sultan had told him, and enjoined him to conceal nothing from him, but to tell him the whole truth; father, replied the son, all that the princess says is true: but what she relates particularly to myself she knows nothing of. Then he told his father all that had befallen him the last two nights, and added, I would much rather die, than live longer in so great an alliance, if I must undergo what I have already endured. Therefore, father, I beg you, by the same tenderness you had for me to procure me so great an honour, to get the sultan’s consent that our marriage may be declared null and void.

He then left him to go and give the sultan an account of what he had told him, and begged of him to give his son leave to retire from the palace. The grand vizier found no great difficulty to obtain what he asked. From that instant the sultan gave orders to put a stop to all rejoicings in the palace and town. This sudden and unexpected change gave rise both in the city and kingdom to various speculations and inquiries; but what is most particular, neither the sultan nor the grand vizier had the least thought that Aladdin had any hand in the enchantment which caused the dissolution of the marriage. Nevertheless, Aladdin waited till the three months were completed, and then sent his mother to the palace, to remind the sultan of his promise.

Aladdin’s mother went to the palace and stood before the divan in the same place as before. The sultan no sooner cast his eyes upon her, but he said, Vizier, I see the good woman who made me the present some months hence; forbear your report till I have heard what she has to say. The vizier then looking about the divan, presently perceived Aladdin’s mother, and sent the chief of the officers for her. She then came to the foot of the throne, and prostrated herself as usual, and when she rose up again, the sultan asked her what she would have. Sir, said she, I come to remind you of your promise to my son Aladdin. The sultan declined giving her an answer till he had consulted his vizier. The grand vizier freely told the sultan his thoughts on the matter, and said to him, In my opinion, sir, there is an infallible way for your majesty to avoid a match so disproportionable, without giving Aladdin any cause of complaint; which is, to set so high a value upon the princess, that were he never so rich, he could not come up to it.

The sultan approving of the grand vizier’s advice, turned about to Aladdin’s mother, and said to her, Good woman, it is true sultans ought to be as good as their words, but as I cannot marry her without some valuable consideration from your son, you may tell him, I will fulfil my promise as soon as he shall send me forty basins of massy gold, brimful of the same things you have already made me a present of, and carried by the like number of black slaves, who shall be led by as many young and handsome well-made white slaves, all dressed magnificently. Go, hasten home and declare my will to your son.

As soon as Aladdin received this message, he rubbed the lamp, and the genie stood before him, whom he commanded to bring the basins of gold. the jewels, and the black and white slaves, as the sultan had required; and and presently the house was filled with this splendid train of slaves most magnificently dressed, bearing basins of massy gold, filled with the rarest jewels. When Aladdin’s mother came from market, where she had been purchasing provisions, she was in a great surprise to see so many people and such vast riches. As soon as she had laid them down, she was going to pull off her veil; but Aladdin prevented her, and said, Mother, let us lose no time: but before the sultan and the divan rise, I would have you return to the palace, and go with this present; she stayed to ask no questions, but put herself at the head of the procession, which drew after it all the idle and curious people of the city. When she entered the divan, she prostrated herself at the foot of the throne, and said to the sultan, Sir, my son Aladdin is sensible this present, which he has sent, your majesty, is much below the princess Badroulboudour’s worth; but hopes, nevertheless, that your majesty will accept of it with the greater confidence that he has endeavoured to conform to the conditions you were pleased to impose on him.

The sultan was not able to give the least attention to this compliment of Aladdin’s mother. The moment he cast his eyes on the forty basins, brimful of the most precious, brilliant, and beautiful jewels he had ever seen, and the fourscore slaves, who appeared, by the comeliness of their persons, and the richness and magnificence of their dress, like so many kings, he was so struck, that he could not recover from his admiration! At length he said to her, Good woman, go and tell your son that I wait to receive him with open arms and embrace him; and the more haste he makes to come and receive the princess my daughter from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do me.

When Aladdin’s mother got home, and related the success of her mission to her son, he made her very little reply, but retired to his chamber. There, after he had rubbed his lamp, the obedient genius appeared. Genius, said Aladdin, I want to bathe immediately; no sooner were the words out of his mouth, but the genius transported him into a bath of the finest marble of all sorts of colours; where he was undressed and put into a bath. After he had passed through several degrees of heat, he came out, quite a different man from what he was before. The genius then dressed him in the most sumptuous apparel; and when he had done, transported him back to his own chamber, where he asked him if he had any other commands? Yes, answered Aladdin; I expect you should bring me as soon as possible a horse, that surpasses in beauty and goodness the best in the sultan’s stables, with a saddle, bridle, and housing, and other accoutrements worth a million of money. I want also twenty slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the sultan, to walk by my side, and follow me, and twenty more such to go before me in two ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six women slaves to wait on her, as richly dressed, at least as any of the princess’s, each loaded with a complete suit fit for any sultaness. I want also ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses. Go, and make haste. As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the genius disappeared, and presently returned with the horse, the forty slaves, ten of whom carried each a purse, with one thousand pieces of gold, and six women slaves, each carrying on her head a different, dress for Aladdin’s mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver stuff, and presented them all to Aladdin.

Of the ten purses Aladdin took but four, which he gave to his mother, the other six he left in the hands of the slaves who brought them, with an order to throw them by handfuls among the people as they went to the sultan’s palace. Afterwards he presented the six women slaves to his mother, telling her they were her slaves, and that the dresses they had brought were for her use.

When Aladdin had thus settled matters, he immediately mounted his horse, and rode to the sultan’s palace, where every thing was prepared for his reception; and as soon as the sultan perceived Aladdin, he was no less surprised to see him more richly and magnificently clothed than ever he had been himself, than surprised at his good mien, fine shape, and a certain air of unexpected grandeur. But notwithstanding, his amazement and surprise did not hinder him from rising off his throne, and descending two or three steps quick enough to prevent Aladdin’s throwing himself at his feet. He embraced him with all the demonstrations of friendship. They conversed together some hours, and the sultan was so charmed with his good sense and modesty, that he sent for the chief judge of his capital, and ordered him to draw up immediately a contract of marriage between the princess Badroulboudour his daughter, and Aladdin.

When it had been drawn up in all the requisite forms, the sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace, and solemnize the ceremonies of the marriage that day. To which he answered, Sir, though great is my impatience to enjoy your majesty’s goodness, yet I beg of you to give me leave to defer it till I have built a palace fit to receive the princess in; I therefore desire you to grant me a convenient spot of ground near your palace. The sultan readily agreed to this proposal, and they separated.

When the sultan arose the next morning, how great was his amazement to behold, opposite to his own, a palace of the purest architecture, and half the inhabitants of the city already gathered in crowds to gaze on this wonder! He was presently informed that Aladdin waited to conduct his majesty to the new palace. The sultan was more and more amazed at every step; for the walls were built of wedges of gold and silver, and the ornaments were of jasper, agate, and porphyry, intermixed with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, and every thing that was most rare and beautiful. The treasury was full of gold, and the offices filled with domestics; the stables contained the finest horses and carriages, with grooms and equerries in splendid liveries.

Aladdin and the princess were speedily married, and lived for some time very happily; but the fame of his magnificence having reached the African magician in Africa, whither, after his expedition, he returned: and though he was almost persuaded that Aladdin died miserably in the subterraneous abode where he left him, yet he had the curiosity to inform himself about his end with great certainty; and as he was a geomancer, he took out of a cupboard a square covered box, which he made use of in his geomantic observations, then sat himself down on his sofa, set it before him, and uncovered it. After he had prepared and leveled the sand which was in it, with an intention to discover whether or not Aladdin died in the subterraneous abode, he cast the points, drew the figures, and formed a horoscope, by which, when he came to examine it he found that Aladdin lived splendidly, was very rich, had married a princess, and was very much honoured and respected.

The magician no sooner understood by the rules of his diabolical art that Aladdin had arrived at that height of good fortune, but he cried out in rage, This poor sorry tailor’s son has discovered the secret and virtue of the lamp! But I will prevent his enjoying it long, or perish in the attempt. He was not a great while deliberating on what he should do, but the next morning mounted a barb which was in his stable, set forwards, and never stopped but just to refresh himself and horse, till he arrived at the capital of China. His first object was to enquire what people said of Aladdin; and, taking a walk through the town, he went to where people of the best distinction met to drink a certain warm liquor. As soon as he sat down, he was presented with a glass of it, which he took; but, listening at the same time to the discourse of the company on each side of him, he heard them talking of Aladdin’s palace. When he had drank off his glass, he joined them; and, asked them particularly what palace that was they spoke so advantageously of. From whence come you said the person to whom he addressed himself: you must certainly be a stranger, not to have seen or heard talk of prince Aladdin’s palace; forgive my ignorance, replied the African magician; I arrived here but yesterday, and came from the farthest part of Africa, where the fame of this palace had not reached when I came away: but my impatience is so great, I will go immediately and see it, if you will do me the favour to show me the way thither.

The person to whom the African magician addressed himself took pleasure in showing him the way to Aladdin’s palace, and he got up, and went thither instantly. When he came to the palace, and examined it on all sides, he doubted not but that Aladdin had made use of the lamp to build it. He knew that none but the genii, the slaves of the lamp, could have performed such wonders; and, piqued to the quick at Aladdin’s happiness and greatness, he returned to the khan where he lodged. The next thing was to know where the lamp was. As soon as he entered his lodging, he took his square box of sand, and after he had performed some operations, he knew that the lamp was in Aladdin’s palace; and so great was his joy at the discovery, that he could hardly contain himself. Well, said he, I shall have the lamp, and I defy Aladdin’s preventing my carrying it off. It was Aladdin’s misfortune at that time to be gone a hunting for eight days, of which only three were expired, which the magician came to know by this means. After he had performed this operation, he went to the master of the khan, entered into discourse with him on different matters, and, among the rest, said, I shall not be easy till I have seen the person to whom this wonderful edifice belongs. That will be no difficult matter, replied the master of the khan; there is not a day passes but he gives an opportunity when he is tn town, but at present he is not at home, and has been gone these three days on a hunting-match, which will last eight. The magician wanted to know no more: he took his leave of the master of the khan, and went to a maker and seller of lamps, and asked for a dozen of copper lamps, which he got, and paid the man his full price for them, put them into a basket, then went directly to Aladdin’s palace; and when he came near it, he began crying. Who will change old lamps for new ones? As he went along, he repeated this so often, that the princess hearing a man cry something, and not being able to distinguish his words, by reason of the hooting of the children, sent one of her women slaves down to know what he cried. The slave returned, laughing so heartily, that the princess could not forbear herself. Well, giggler, said the princess, will you tell me what you laugh at? Madam, answered the slave, laughing still, who can forbear laughing to see a fool, with a basket on his arm, full of fine new lamps, ask to change them all for old ones? Another woman slave hearing this, said, there is an old one upon the cornice, and whoever owns it will not be sorry to find a new one in its stead. The lamp this slave spoke of was Aladdin’s wonderful lamp, which he had laid upon the cornice before he went a hunting. The princess bid a eunuch take it, and go and make the exchange. The eunuch no sooner got to the palace gates, but he saw the African magician, called to him, and showing him the old lamp, said to him, Give me a new lamp for this.

The magician never doubted but this was the lamp he wanted. He snatched it eagerly out of the eunuch’s hand, and, thrusting it as far as be could into his breast, offered him his basket, and bid him choose which he liked best. The eunuch picked out one, and carried it to the princess; the African magician then went and passed the remainder of the day in a lonely place, till the darkest time of night, when he pulled the lamp out to his breast and rubbed it. At that summons the genius appeared, and said, What wouldst thou have? I command thee, replied the magician, to transport me immediately, and Aladdin’s palace to such a place in Africa. The genius made no reply, but transported him and the palace entire immediately to the place he appointed in Africa.

The confusion and grief of the sultan were indescribable, when he found the palace vanished and his daughter lost; and Aladdin, who had just returned from hunting, on hearing that his palace and his wife were gone, fainted away; but on recovering he began to reflect on the virtues of the ring which he still wore on his finger.—So he rubbed the gem, and the genius appeared, and said, what wouldst thou have? Oh, powerful genie! cried he, bring my palace back to the place where it first stood. What you command me, answered the genius, is not in my power; I am only the slave of the ring; you must address yourself to the slave of the lamp. If it be so, replied Aladdin, I command thee to transport me to the place where it now stands, and set me down under the princess Badroulboudour’s window. The genius immediately transported him into Africa, to the midst of a large meadow, where his palace stood, a small distance from a great city. Aladdin sat down at the foot of a large tree to rest himself, but not being able to resist the drowsiness which came upon him, fell fast asleep.

The next morning he got up, and walked some time under her window. The princess Badroulboudour, by chance, rose early that morning, and began to dress, when one of the women looking through the window, perceived Aladdin, and presently run and told her mistress. The princess went that moment herself to the window, and seeing Aladdin, immediately opened it. The noise made Aladdin turn his head that way, who, knowing the princess, saluted her with an air that expressed his joy. To lose no time, said she to him, I have sent to have the private door opened; enter, and come, up; she then shut the window.

The private door was soon opened, and Aladdin was conducted up into the princess’s chamber. After their embracings, Aladdin said, I beg of you, princess, to tell me, what is become of an old lamp which I left upon the cornice in the hall of the four-and twenty windows, before I went to hunting. Then the princess gave Aladdin an account how she changed the old lamp for a new one; and how she had been transported thither by the African magician. Princess, said Aladdin, I desire you to tell me what he has done with the lamp. He carries it carefully wrapt up in his bosom, said the princess. After some consideration, Aladdin concerted a plan in order to get possession of the lamp; he went into the city in the disguise of a slave, where he procured a powder, that, on being swallowed, would instantly cause a deathlike sleep, and the princess invited the magician to sup with her. As she had never been so polite to him before, he was quite delighted with her kindness; and while they were at table, she ordered a slave to bring two cups of wine which she had herself prepared, and after pretending to taste the one she held in her hand, she asked the magician to change cups, as was the custom between lovers in China. He joyfully seized the goblet, and drinking it all at a draught, fell lifeless on the floor.

Aladdin was at hand to snatch the lamp from his bosom, and throwing the traitor out upon the grass of the meadow, the genius was summoned, and instantly the princess, the palace, and all that it contained, were transported to their original station in China.

The very morning of the return of Aladdin’s palace, the sultan went into his closet to indulge his sorrows. He cast his eyes in a melancholy manner towards the place where he remembered the palace once stood, expecting only to see an open space; but perceiving that vacancy filled up, he at first imagined it to be the effect of a fog: but looking more attentively, he was convinced that it was his son-in-law’s palace. He returned immediately into his apartment, and ordered a horse to be saddled and brought to him in all haste, which he mounted that instant, and rode to Aladdin’s palace. Aladdin perceiving the sultan coming, hastened to receive him at the foot of the great staircase, and to help him to dismount. After dismounting, Aladdin led the sultan into the princess’s apartment. The sultan embraced her with his face bathed in tears of joy; and alter that commanded a feast of ten days to he proclaimed for joy of their return.

Within a few years afterwards the sultan died, and the princess succeeded him, and they both reigned together many years,and left a numinous and illustrious posterity behind them.

FINIS