Page:Whyte-Melville--Bones and I.djvu/116

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CHAPTER V.

GOLD FOR SILVER.

"The African Magician never minded all their scoffs and holloaings, or all they could say to him, but still cry'd Who'll change old Lamps for new ones? which he repeated so often about the Princess Badroulbondour's Palace, that that Princess, who was then in the Hall with the four-and-twenty Windows, hearing a Man cry something, and not being able to distinguish his Words, by reason of the holloaing of the Mob about him, sent one of her Women Slaves down to know what he cry'd.

"The Slave was not long before she return'd, and ran into the Hall, laughing so heartily, that the Princess could not forbear herself. 'Well, Gigler,' said the Princess, 'will you tell me what you laugh at?' 'Alas! 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 for old ones, which makes the Children and Mob make such a Noise about him?'"


WHAT a fool they thought him, and no wonder. Yet surely a magician need not come all the way from