of sale in my goods, of storms to wreck my vessels: upon this account, I quitted commerce, in the hope of living a more tranquil life; and I bought a place at court: at first I had the good fortune to please my prince s I became his favourite, and I believed that I' should soon be happy; but I presently found that I was rather a slave than a favourite. I was obliged to give up perpetually all my own inclinations, to follow those of my master. He loved the chase, I loved quiet; nevertheless, 1 was obliged to follow him through the woods the whole day long: I returned to the palace, overcome with fatigue and longing to retire to rest. No; some lady gives a ball, a supper; and, because it will please the king, entreats me to come: I go, detesting every thing I see. But the favour of my sovereign afforded me some little consolation. It is now about five days since he spoke with an air of friendship to one of the lords of his court, gave him two con missions, and said that he believed him to be a very honest man. From that moment I plainly saw that I was lost, and my nights were sleepless."

But," said the fisherman, interrupting his guest, did the king receive you with cold looks; and did he cease to love you?"

"Excuse me," replied the traveller; "the king showed me more friendship than ordinary; but recollect he did not love me only, every body said that the nobleman was be

come a second favourite. To me this was. so insupportable, that I was ready to die with chagrin. I retired yesterday, at even, into my chamber, absorbed in melancholy, and when I was alone, I gave myself up to grief. Suddenly, I beheld a man, of more than ordinary stature, but of an extremely agreeable countenance, who said to me, Azael, I have. compassion upon thy misery.: If thou wouldst become tranquil, to love sacrifice riches, and ̧ to friendship honours. Alas! Sir,' said I to the man, these are the wishes of my heart; but how can they be gratified?' Quit the court,' replied he, and travel during two days by the road that first offers itself; the folly of man will present you with a spectacle that will cure you forever of ambition. When you have travelled two days, retrace your steps; and be confidently assured, that thenceforward you will live happily and at ease.'—I have already walked one whole day in obedience to this monitor; and to-morrow I shall proceed but I cannot easily persuade myself to hope the repose he has promised."

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The fisherman having heard this story, could not but wonder at the folly of a man, who placed his ambition upon the mere looks and words of a king. “I shall be happy to see you again, and to hear an account of your case," said he to the traveller ; ac-complish your journey, and in two days come back to my cottage. I am about to

travel too; I have never seen the city; and I imagine that I shall be much diverted by the sights that I shall behold there."

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You must take care," returned the traveller," that, when you have seen the palaces of the great, you do not become dissatisfied with your cottage; and that, when you have seen their superb vestments, you remain contented with your own clothing.'

"Sir," said the fisherman to his guest, "you talk like a book: do your reasonings serve for your own instruction ?"

The traveller forbore to reply, because he ́did not wish to enter into a controversy with his host in his own house. The next day he continued his journey; while the fisherman set out for the city.

At the end of two days, the traveller, Azaël, who had met with nothing extraordinary, returned to the cottage. He found the fisherman sitting before his door, his head resting upon his hand, and his eyes fixed upon the earth. "What are you thinking of "" şaid Azaël. I am thinking that I am very miserable," said the fisherman: "what have I done that I should be poor, while so great a number of men are rich and happy "

At this moment the man of lofty stature, who had commanded Azaël to travel, and who was, in reality, an angel, appeared.

Why have you not followed the coun sels of Azael?" said he to the fisherman : "the sight of the magnificence of the city P...VOL. 3.

hath created in thee avarice and vanity; and these have driven from thee happiness and peace. Moderate thy desires, and thou wilt recover those precious possessions."

"This is very easy for you to prescribe,' replied the fisherman, but impossible for me to practise. I am sure that I shall always be unhappy; at least, uniess my condition bet altered."

"That would be to thy loss," replied the angel, "believe me; and do not wish to be other than thou art."

"You speak well," returned the fisherman, "but you will not hinder me from wishing for another situation ?

"Since thou wilt seek thy destruction," said the angel, "I consent: thou mayest wish three things, and they shall be as thou desirest."

Transported with joy, the fisherman wished that his cottage were changed into a magnificent palace; and immediately his wish was accomplished. The fisherman after admiring his palace, wished that the little river that flowed before his door might be swelled to a great soa; and immediately his wish was accomplished. The power of making a third request remained. He hesitated dur ing some time at length he wished that his little boat might be changed into a superb vessel, freighted with gold and diamonds. As soon as he beheld his vessel, he hastened to feast his eyes with the riches of which he

was become the master; but he had scarcely gained the deck when a violent storm arose. The fisherman would have returned to the shore, but he was unable to manage the vessel.

Now he regretted his vanity and his ambition: useless regrets! the sea swallowed hira and all his riches; and the angel said to Azaël, "Let this example teach thee wisdom! The end of this man is almost always that of those who pursue unworthy objects of ambi tion. The court, to which thou art returning, is famous for shipwrecks and for tempests; while yet you may, make the shore otherwise, you will one day wish to do so when the power will be no longer yours." " Azaël, who stood terrified at what he had seen, promised to obey the angel; and he kept his word he left the court, and retired into the country, where he married a young lady, who was more remarkable for her goodness, than for her beauty or her for tune. Instead of endeavouring to increase his abundant wealth, he sought only to enjoy it with moderation, and to distribute the su perflux to the poor. He now became happy and contented; and no day passed in which he did not thank God for having reteased him from avarice and frivolous ambi tion; which, while he was subject to them, had empoisoned every hour of his life.

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