“And did you never represent to him your sorrowful condition ?"

"I cast myself at his feet; I bathed them with my tears; I implored; I entreated; but I was mistress of no eloquence except that of the heart; he would not listen to me, but with harshness ordered me away; and the day after, by his command, I was driven from my dwelling."

Benbecchir lifted up his eyes towards heaven, and said, with a sigh, "God of the faithful, Father of the whole human race! he is thy representative here on earth, and can he refuse granting to those who ask him for that which justice has a right to claim? And thou, kind and beneficent Power, thou pardonest us mortals in our most unjust demands! My good mother," added he, "lend me, for a few moments, the ass and the sack, and follow me at a distance. I have some influence over the Caliph, and I will make use of it in your service; tell me, do you know where he is just

now?"

"He happens to be," replied the widow, "precisely on that spot of earth which once was mine. But what are you going to do with the ass?"

"Be not uneasy, follow me," replied the Cadi: he then took the shortest way, in order to join the Caliph, who received him with his usual amenity. I have not seen you a long time, Benbecchir," said he, "how comes it that you visit me here to-day?"

"Sublime commander of the faithful," replied Benbecchir, "I am come to speak in behalf of a poor woman, who

."-"I guess what you would say," said the Caliph, with severity," nor will I hear any further. Let that foolish and obstinate woman suffer as she deserves! Am not I absolute master of the lives and possessions of my subjects?"

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Thy power on earth," replied Benbecchir, is unlimited. The poor woman no longer claims the possession that heretofore belonged to her; she requests only one poor remembrance; and if you will permit me, in order that her wish may be accomplished, I will fill this sack with earth taken from her own former land."

"I consent to that," replied the Caliph, smiling, "take one sack, and even ten. if you desire it. In a short time, Benbecchir, you will not know this place; for instead of that heavy building, will be erected a magnificent palace;

and there a superb fountain will embellish those gardens which I have already planned. The situation is delightful; it was that which first charmed me, and I mean to render it a most enchanting spot."

"Ah!" replied the Cadi, who, during all this time, had been filling his sack with earth, “ now, sublime commander of the faithful, deigu to grant me one favour, which will seem to thee as singular as the first which I asked of you.”—“ I will grant it you," replied the Caliph. "I beg then, that my master and sovereign will help me to put this load on the ass."

"This is a singular request!" exclaimed the Caliph, "how could you think of such a thing? Call one of my slaves, and he will help you."

"Suffer me," answered the Cadi, "to intreat this favour from you; I implore of you not to refuse me.'

"You are mad; this load is too heavy for me," said the Caliph." Too heavy!" retorted Benbecchir, "what, this sack filled with earth? So small a portion of the soil on which we tread, too heavy! And thou, my lord, thou dost not tremble at the thoughts that thou must one day stand before the Judge of all mankind; where not only this sack filled with earth, but the riches of which it makes a part, with all the tears that thou hast caused the wretched widow to shed, whom thou hast despoiled, will weigh heavier on thy conscience, that thou wilt not listen to, and which will then rise up in judgment against thee before the Eternal, and reproach thee with having been deaf to his voice! Thou reignest here below as an absolute monarch: by a nod thou can'st dispose of man's life; and one word from thee may plunge thousands in misery;-but there will come a time when thou shalt be on a level with the meanest of thy slaves,"

"Me, on a level with my slaves!" said the Caliph.

"I was wrong," said Benbecchir; "the more thou art exalted here, the greater will be thy torments beyond the grave. The more thou hast neglected to perform the justice that was in thy power, the greater will be thy responsibility. Each of thy subjects will only have to render an account of what he actually possessed, while thou must be accountable for all the possessions of thy people. Farewell, pardon thy slave for this his temerity."

Benbecchir was about to depart, and the Caliph called him back. "Pardon thee.! Ah! I owe thee a thousand thanks for having opened mine eyes on the injustice I have already more than half committed. Let the widow be brought hither let her be again put in possession of her inheritance; and to indemnify her for the tears that my cruelty has caused her to shed, let her lands be augmented by a portion of my gardens which are in its vicinity. I will give orders for the return of her beloved son: let him come and comfort his mother, and consecrate to her the remainder of his days. As for thou, Benbecchir, never quit my court: the greatest want a monarch feels is that of a friend who fears not to address to him the words of truth, when it even thwarts his dearest inclinations."

ENGLISH FASHIONS AND NOVELTIES.

WALKING DRESS.-The robe is composed of Swedish blue gros de Naples, a half high corsage, and sleeves of rather a large size from the shoulder to about half way down the fore arm, where the fulness is confined by a tight cuff, which is bordered at top and bottom by a cambric frill scolloped at the edge. Cambric pelerine of a new form, and trimmed with the same materials; the embroidery is in a light and novel style. Bonnet of rose-coloured gros de Naples, a long brim, the interior is trimmed in the cap style, with lace and Swedish blue ribbon, perpendicular crown, ornamented with rose ribbon, and a sprig of blue flowers.

EVENING DRESS.-Organdy robe over pale pink gros de Naples corsage à la corset. It is cut low round the bosom, and trimmed with a double falling tucker of the same material, pointed at the edges. Short tight sleeve terminated by a ruffle of a double fall; it is turned up at the bend of the arm by a rose. The corsage is also ornamented with roses; a band of pink ribbon, attached to the one at the bottom, descends en tablier at each side, and terminates in a knot with a rose attached upon it; another is placed upon the hem in a corresponding direction. The hair is dressed in bows, both at the sides and on the summit of the head. It is ornamented with strings of pearls and roses.