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further puniſhment of his crime; but even this, though entirely arbitrary, the naib made as ſevere as for the moſt indifferent offender, for he ſentenced him to a fine of fifty piaſters, and to receive a baſtinado of as many blows on the ſoles of his feet. All this was executed upon the ſpot, after which the naib leaping from his horſe, threw himſelf at his feet, and watering them with his tears, addreſſes him thus: “ Father, I have diſcharged my duty to my God, my ſovereign, my country and my ſtation; permit me now, by my respect and ſubmiſſion, to acquit the debt I owe a parent. Juſtice is blind, it is the power of God on earth, it has no regard to father or ſon, God and our neighbour's right are above the ties of nature, you had offended againſt the laws of juſtice, you deſerved this puniſhment, you would in the end have received it from ſome other, I am ſorry it was your fate to receive it from me; but my conſcience would not ſuffer me to act otherwiſe: behave better for the future, and inſtead or blaming me, pity my being reduced to ſo cruel a neceſſity.” This done, he mounted his horſe again, and then continued his journey, amidſt the ecclamations and praiſes of the whole city, for ſo extraordinary a piece of juſtice; report of which being made to the Sublime Porte, the Sultan raiſed him to the poſt of Cady; from whence, by degrees, he roſe to the dignity of Mufti, who is the head of both religion and law among the Turks. Were our dealers in ſmall weights to be dealt with according to the Turkiſh law, the poor might not be ſo much impoſed upon as they are now.
FINIS.
