"to provide for him, and introduced "him to different situations wherein "he might have prospered.....But the "restless genius of Kerinthus soared "above the mechanical tracks of the 66 plodding world....and, after various “adventures.........he lastly travelled "over Chaldea and Media to the "sacred city of Balk, with a deter"mination to become a pupil in the "school of the great Zoroaster. 66 Captivating all eyes......and enslaving all hearts.........wherever I appeared...is it wonderful,...... if, in the contemplation of my own power.......I insensibly forgot my poor brother........Thus, ten years "rolled on with me, in luxury, when "he recalled himself to my memory by proposing an undertaking which "teemed with much mutual advan "tage. "He wrote me word, that he was 2 "head of a band of Priests of Isis, "who wandered from province to 66 province, beguiling superstitious "fanatics of their money, by pre"tended magical operations.......That 66 nothing was wanting to crown "their power over the weak and ignorant tribes of Galatia and Pon"tus, but the mystery of an Oracle 66 ........That he wished me to assume "the garb and character of a priestess "to such oracle; and added enough "to convince me of the advanta geous consequences which would "follow such a step. "I was delighted with the novelty "of this proposal;........and being fa tigued with the labors of a theatre, "I readily consented ;......and fore saw a thousand agreeable oppor"tunities of employing my inven“tive genius.......One other inducè"ment, indeed, impelled me to the 64 66 act........My expences were enormous, and my fame on the decline ".........it was necessary to do something. 66 "I now repaired to Smyrna, where my brother anxiously awaited my "arrival.......I was eager to pursue "the instructions he gave me ;.....and "we commenced our operations....... "so successfully.......that our fondest hopes were justified by the event. "At first, this rambling kind of "life pleased me;.......but I found "so many adventures and difficulties mingled with the sweets, that I "endeavored to persuade Kerinthus "to assist me in turning our talents "to some pursuit.....more honorable ".....and more worthy our aspiring "wishes. "At this critical moment, chance "made me acquainted with the beau"tiful Mamilia, and we were SO pleased with each other at first sight, that we vowed an eternal friendship. 66 My brother was absent when "this intimacy commenced, of which "I informed -him by letter, and he "made no difficulty to leave me in "so promising a situation; particu larly as he was then busily employed in arranging that grand sys"tem he has since so successfully pursued. 66 66 "He obtained my promise, how ever, to keep up a regular correspondence with him, and to be de"voted to the furtherance of his plan, "whenever it should ripen, and my "assistance become necessary. "I believe, Proteus,".....and her fascinating smile played roguishly around her lip....." I need not be par"ticular in describing my connection "with the lady Mamilia......I shall "therefore hasten to an event that "took place soon after you left the Villa, which will unravel your mis"terious adventure with the Stranger " at Smyrna. "Kerinthus, by his letter, informed me he had engaged in a sphere in " which he was calculated to appear "with advantage, and employ his "talents with honor......Still he did "not explicitly unbosom himself.....I 66 was left in the dark as to the "nature of his views........though he constantly assured me the time "would come, when my co-opera"tion would be necessary to crown "his ambitious hopes. "I remained long in this aukward uncertainty, when.......a few days. "after your departure from Halicar nassus... ...he made me an unexpected visit.....On this occasion, he "unfolded to me the whole of his |