was commanded to procure silence in the court, and the caliph stood up to give judg

ment.

"Your observation," said he, turning towards the cadi, "is both learned and just. I am of opinion, likewise, that the holding up of the bottoms of brazen pans, is not amongst any of the known forms of agreement. Thus there was no legal bargain on either side,”—and at these words the disappointed people, raising up their hands towards the Prophet in appeal against the injustice of the caliph, there arose a new flashing of brass and copper bottoms, and a fresh clatter of all the pans.

Notwithstanding," continued the caliph,

as there seems to have been some evasion of a secret understanding between the two parties, my decree therefore is this, that the

criminal shall receive two hundred strokes upon the soles of his feet ;" and herewith the hands falling down again with satisfaction, there ensued a fresh clanking chorus throughout the hall.

"However," the caliph went on thus, as soon as there was silence-" it is necessary that justice on both sides should be equal and complete; wherefore, as the complainants did but hold up their pans, and

then reckon that the order for the new bottoms was distinct, so it shall be sufficient for the executioner to lift up his arm two hundred times, and the criminal shall be deemed to have suffered as many stripes of the bastinado."

At this pleasant decision, there was a great shout of applause in the court; but the discomfited pan-bearers departed in great

VOL. II.

K

dudgeon, with more clangour than ever; and almost in a temper to hang up their pans, like the kettles of the Turkish Janizaries, as the signals for a revolt.

As for Agib, he suffered the penalty, according to his sentence; but the caliph was so much delighted with his wit and address, that before long he raised him to be one of his Ministers of State. The two elder sons, on the contrary, being very dull and slow, howbeit very proper men, rose no higher than to be soldiers of the Body Guard. Thus the expectation of Abendali was fulfilled, the Little Agib, though last in birth and least in stature, becoming the foremost in fortune and the highest in dignity of the Three Brothers.

MY FIRST-BORN.

BY FREDERICK LOCKER.

"HE shan't be their namesake, the rather
That both are such opulent men :
His name shall be that of his father,-
My Benjamin-shortened to Ben.

"Yes, Ben, though it cost him a portion In each of my relative's wills,

I scorn such baptismal extortion—

(That creaking of boots must be Squills).

"It is clear, though his means may

This infant his age will adorn;

be narrow,

I shall send him to Oxford from Harrow,

I wonder how soon he'll be born!"

A

spouse thus was airing his fancies.

Below 'twas a labour of love,And calmly reflecting on Nancy's More practical labour abové;

Yet while it so pleased him to ponder,
Elated, at ease, and alone;

That pale, patient victim up yonder
Had budding delights of her own;

Sweet thoughts, in their essence diviner
Than paltry ambition and pelf;
A cherub, no babe will be finer,
Invented and nursed by herself.

One breakfasting, dining, and teaing,
With appetite nought can appease,
And quite a young Reasoning Being

When called on to yawn and to sneeze.