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Giaffer and Abassan.

Ir is taken too much for granted that the votaries of Mahomet are altogether destitute of that chival rous regard for the sex which once distinguished Europe. The Turks, indeed, as a people, show but little of it; but the character of Mahometan society previously to the domination of these unbending Tartars, displayed no sinall portion of the generous loyalty due to woman. Nay, there is some reason to think that a tinge of Arabian sentiment, obtained by the crusades, and the Saracenic conquests in Spain, is traceable in much of the wild and romantic profession of our preux chevaliers in the middle ages. Be this as it may, the progress of the Saracenic empire is marked by anecdotes of the influence of la belle passion, quite as affecting and sentimental as any in Europe.

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Giaffer the Barmecide, was vizier of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid. The Caliph, willing to reward the services of his favorite, Giaffer, determined, on certain conditions, to bestow on him in marriage his beloved sister, Abassan, the most beautiful and accomplished princess of the East. "Were not Abassan my sister," said he, announcing to his favorite the purpose which he had formed, " marriage should unite us; but, since the most lovely and the most amiable of the oriental women cannot be the wife of Haroun, no other has a right to possess her, nor can I suffer the blood of Abbas to be contaminated by a foreign mixture. The nephews of your brothers must not be mine. I give to you the hand of my sister, it is true, as a recompense for your services, and that I may have the pleasure of beholding in my presence, at the same time, two persons whom I dearly love: but I require your sacred promise that you will be to Abassan only as I am-a friend and a brother. On this condition, and this only, I consent to the union. Death to yourself, and to your race, will be the penalty of the violation of your oath."

restraint imposed her exalted rank takes away from the apparent indelicacy, for Giaffer could not speak first. The words given are as follows:

"I had resolved to keep my love concealed in my heart; but in spite of me, it escapes and declares itself. If you do not yield at this declaration my modesty and my secret are both sacrificed: but if you reject me, you will save my life by your refusal. Whatever happens, at least, I shall not die unrevenged, for my death will sufficiently declare who has been my assassin."

Female Beauty.

THE ladies in Japan gild their teeth, and those of the Indies paint them red. The pearl of teeth must be dyed black to be beautiful in Guzeret. In Green

land the women color their faces with blue and

yellow. However fresh the complexion of the Muscovite may be, she would think herself very ugly if she was not plastered over with paint. The Chinese must have their feet as diminutive as those of she-goats. In ancient Persia an acqueline nose was often thought worthy of the crown; and if there was any competition between two princes, the people generally went by this criterion of majesty. In some countries the women break the noses of their children, and in others press the head between two boards, that it may become square. The modern Persians have a strong aversion to red hair: the Turks, on the contrary, are warm admirers of it.

Riches.

back to the days of his poverty, and ask himself why he cannot now rejoice as heartily over the much as he did over the little?

Ir is a strange delusion for men to suppose that happiness consists in riches. Contentment is not to be found in splendor and magnificence: or why is it that princes have sometimes exchanged the grandeur of a palace for the more simple enjoyments of private life? Why is the countenance of Giaffer assented to this admirable piece of des- the rich man furrowed with thought and anxiety, potic logic, which, of the two, is worse than the while the poor go on their way, shouting and exreported speech of the Grand Sultan when pre- ulting in the blessings which God hath given them? senting his daughter with a subject for a husband-Why does the man who has grown in wealth, look “Here, daughter, I give thee this man for thy slave." The nominal marriage took place between the princess and Giaffer, but, unfortunately for the unhappy lovers, the voice of love and nature, sanctioned too by the laws, was not to be stifled by the caprice of a tyrant: the enamored pair baffled the vigilance of the Caliph, and a son, the fruit of their disobedience, was privately conveyed from the seraglio to Mecca. The result is a portion of public history. A discovery was made, Giaffer lost his head, and Abassan, some accounts say, died of grief; while others state that she was driven from the palace, and suffered to languish in disgrace and indigence.

Domestic Happiness.

WHERE will our sorrows receive the same so

lace, as in the bosom of our family? Whose hand wipes the tear from our cheek, or the chill of death

from our brow, with the same fondness as that of the wife? If the raging elements are contending without, here is a shelter. If war is desolating the country, here is peace and tranquillity. Blissful and happy hours, that unite us together in sweet and holy companionship, I bid you a joyful wel

come.

A more than common interest is given to the foregoing incidents by the character of the parties. Giaffer was one of the most cultivated men of his time-amiable, handsome in person, and benevo- While some are willing to wed virtue for her perlent in disposition. Abassan appears to have been sonal charms, others are engaged to take her for similarly accomplished as a female; some Arabic the sake of her expected dowry; and since her verses from her to Giaffer still exist, expressive of followers and admirers have so little hopes from her attachment. It would seem, by the tenor of her at present, it were pity, methinks, to reason them, that the lady was the most impatient at the them out of any imagined advantage in reversion.

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