June 26 we perceived our enemy approaching towards us on his

return.

"It is impofsible to exprefs the horror with which this sight struck us. My wife in the vain impulse of "despair, ran towards the wood, whither the Tartar pursued her, while his companions seized me.

"Her flight was soon stopped. The ravifher overtook her, and, mad with desire, attempted to gratify his brutal appetites upon the spot. What were the sensations of my soul in that dreadful moment! but heaven saw my distress, and heard the cries of her innocence.

Just as he had overpowered her resistance, a lion, roused by her fhrieks, issued from a brake, near to which heaven had directed her flight, and rushing upon the ruffian, tore him piece meal in an instant.

"Soon as my wife found herself freed from his violence, the started from the ground, and ran with outstretched arms towards me for protection, incapable of considering my inability to afford it, nor even sensible of the means of her deliverance.

"But the power which had so signally saved her, continued his care of us both. The Tartars who had seized me, struck with so evident an interposition of heaven, no sooner saw their leader slain, than fearing a like fate themselves, as accomplices in his guilt, they loosed their hold, and springing upon their horses, fled out of sight in a

moment.

1

"These events had succeeded each other so rapidly, that reason was unable to keep pace with them. stood stupified with atonishment, nor had power to advance to meet my wife, till fhe fell motionless at my feet.

30% "This sight restored me to myself. I raised her head, and laying it in my bosom, attempted to soothe her distrefs with words of comfort, which I wanted little less myself.

"The generous lion in the mean time, stood over the victim of his justice, growling with savage delight, and lafhing his sides with his tail, without advancing a single step towards us, though so near him, till satisfied with his triumph, he returned slowly back to his den.

"It was a considerable time before I could bring my wife to her senses, The conflict had been too violent for

her tender frame. Her spirits and strength equally sunk under it,-sunk, alas, never to recover! Several times fhe opened her eyes, and fixed them wildly on me; then, starting in the impression of her fright, gave a feeble fhriek, and swooned away again.

"At length fhe became more composed; but still she was unable to walk; and every moment we delayed, encreased my fears of the return of the Tartars to revenge their leader's death.

"In this distress I happened to cast my eye upon the horse of the ravisher, which his followers had in their fright left behind them, tied to a tree; and placing her with difficulty upon him, walked by her side to incourage and support her, till we arrived at the caravansera.

"This was the last effort of her strength, the delicacy of her soul was wounded by the base attempt of violation," and the affright had overshadowed her reason.

"For three days, the pined in my bosom, then drooping her head like a lily torn from the root, expired without a struggle.

"My situation can be conceived only by a feeling heart. O, my Zelis! thou wert the delight of my eyes, the hope and comfort of my life.

June 26. "I would gladly have accompanied her to the mansions of the blessed; but piety, and my very love for her, equally restrained me.

"Reason had had time to resume her rule during the approaches of her death. The laws of our religion forbid us to shed human blood, even in self defence. How then could I dare to stain my hands with my own? Besides, who should perform the last rites to her dear remains, and sprinkle her ashes on this altar? Who should perform the same pious office for me, that I may be re-united to her, and to the rest of our holy race.

"I was convinced of my duty, and prepared to fulfil it. I washed her pure body with my tears, I wrapped it in precious spices, which I received in exchange for the horse of the Tartar from certain merchants in the caravansera, and building a lofty pile of aromatic woods, reduced it to ashes, which I have this day spread upon yonder sacred ruins of our altar.

"This, O courteous stranger! is the sermon of my woes, which you see will admit of no relief. I now turn my face to our place of refuge in the mountains, there to devote the residue of my unhappy days, to the contemplation of that Being, by whose power, and in whose presence only, I can be restored to happiness."

Though the heart of Togrul sympathised with the unhappy sufferer, there were some circumstances in this story which affected him in a very different manner.

As his reason was convinced of the incomprehensible efsence of the Deity, he considered every assimilation of him to objects of sense, as the most impious absurdity; and the very thought of paying to his creatures the adoration due only to himself struck him with sacred horror.

As soon therefore as the Persee had ended his melancholy narrative," I condole with you for your lofs, (said he)

O man of affliction! but I dare not offer consolation before you have reconciled yourself to heaven, by a renunciation of those errors which have drawn its wrath upon your head.

"You blindly mistake the creature for the Creator, and rob him of that worship which is his sole and uncommunicable right."

Heavy as this charge was, the Persee was not abashed. Fixing his eyes upon Togrul, with a modest firmness, "Most unworthy of consolation should I certainly be, (he replied) O severe judge! if I were guilty of the crime which you impute to me. But I exult in the afsurance, that on a moment's reflection, you will yourself acquit me.

"Groundless is the accusation of our worshipping any other object than the Deity himself, the author and life of the universe, and all it contains.

"We worship not his creatures; we worship him in them. We worship him in the sun, as the most glorious of his works, the fountain of that heat by which he animates all nature! We worship him in fire, as the substitute of the sun, the vehicle in which heat is entrusted to our own management for the uses of life ; and we keep that fire always alive in testimony of our gratitude for his supporting our lives by it; and as a memorial to him to continue that support.

"Never has man fallen into so grofs error, as to direct his worship ultimately to the works of his own hands, though the presumption of ignorance hath often accused him of it.

"Adieu, O young man! Learn to judge less precipitately, and may the Deity, whom all the world unites in adoring, though under different symbols, guide your steps ja safety."

It was some time before Togrul recovered from the surprise with which this defence of the Persee struck him. He examined it with candid attention, and though he was far from thinking it satisfactory, it determined him never more to condemn any man from differing in opinion with him.

ANECDOTE:

A FAMOUS beggar in Sufsex, known by the name of Dog Smith, was a great benefactor to that county. He had been a silversmith in London, but left his business to go abegging, followed by a dog, from which he had his nickname. With the estate he left, his executors were enabled to give in charity to every market town either a thousand pounds in money, or fifty pounds a-year for ever in land, besides six or eight pounds yearly to almost every parish. Mitcham indeed he had excepted by name, having been whipt out of it as a common vagrant.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE valuable communication from Gothenburg are thankfully received, and fhall be duly attended to. The continuation of this gentleman's correspondence is requested.

The Editor has been favoured with hints on public libraries &'c. by an old correspondent, for which best thanks are returned.

The queries respecting the magnificent bridge in Russia came to hand and fhall be transmitted to Russia by the very first opportunity.

Though the Editor does writing, he will try to

The favour of Proteous is come to hand. not think poetical prose the best mode of spare a corner for this ingenious youth's effusions, as they are not spun out to too great length.

Thanks to Romanus and Italicus for his essay which shall be duly attended to.

The filling is come to the office, and it is hoped fhall not be Jost.