him incapable of virtuous exertion. Be thankful for the death of thy son!"

The aged cheek of Osreidan was bathed in a flood of tears. He wept bitterly; and, for a space, the anguish of his grief was silent. At length, in interrupted accents, Why did I ever exist? Or why was I hailed with the name of father? But the will of Allah be done! He, whose arm is almighty, and whose blessedness is unimpaired, can never injure, nor, without a cause, afflict the least of his creatures. The will of Allah be done."

The countenance of the genius was for a moment bedimmed, and his visage seemed indistinct. But his form remained, and, in an instant, recovered its brightness. His eye was rekindled with the purest intelligence, and the smile that played on his lip was of the kindest benignity. He had withdrawn from Osreidan, and had left his assumed appearance behind him. With a celerity transcending all human conception, he had arisen to the sapphire throne, and had presented himself before the Ancient of Days. He had then returned; re-animated his appearance, and, resuming his speech in tones of soft consolation, "I am permitted," he said, "as the recompense of thy humility, of thy just, rational, and meek resignation, to reveal a part, so far at least as

thou art able to understand, of an awful mystery. Thy son was called into existence for the discharge of important functions; and to share, in process of time, and after various changes, the supremest happiness that man can enjoy,-the happiness arising from his powers and virtues. Some part of his office he has already performed, for he has afforded exercise to those virtues of thine, which by having been proved, and by having received their proper exercise, shall in the sequel exalt thy nature. Having done so, and not having sufficient powers to oppose the perils that must, as thy son, have assailed him, he has been called, in consideration of the merit he had already acquired, and by the mercy of heaven, to the trials of a new condition. He is exposed again to temptations; but, aided by the counsels and by the habits of early life, though he is at present unconscious of the sources from which his assistance flows, he has power to oppose them. He will thus acquire still higher endowments; and be enabled to combat even fiercer temptations, fiercer and more seducing than those which the vision shadowed. Renovation of life, the reinstated memory of past events, renewal and increase of affection, in ways too mysterious for human conception, shall, in another state, be the portion

of both father and son. For, to intelligent beings, death is not the close, but the means of awful and important variety in their mode of existence."

"But," said Osreidan, emboldened by the condescension of his celestial friend, "could not this have been accomplished without the smallest intermixture of evil?" "What pro

portion," answered the genius, "what proportion can you establish between an instant of time and a million of ages? What proportion can you establish between the smallest drop of dew that hangs on the point of the finest needle, employed by the maidens of Casimir in the needle-work of their queen, and the waters of the mighty deep? Far less the proportion of the present life, to the duration of future existence. Thy sufferings will vanish from thy remembrance, as the white vapour on the breast of the sky dispersed by the blazing sun. sider too, that if the suffering thou accountest painful, transient as it must seem, shall become the means of securing, exalting, and improving the relish of thy future enjoyments, as the spices of Java improve the feast of the Caliph, what thou pronouncest suffering is no longer to be accounted evil."

Con

The genius disappeared. All remembrance

of the facts and sayings that occurred in his visitation, was instantly effaced from the mind of Osreidan. He seemed to have had a vision, but could not tell what it was; yet its parting gleam had been bright and delightful. He felt its benign effects; for the remaining days of his life were soothed with complacency, with good will to mankind, consolation, and peace.

The writing of the vision was afterwards revealed to the hermit of Carmel, who was also a Kadirite; and by him set forth in a book for the consolation and hope of the faithful.

THE PHILANTHROPE, No. 24.

LA PARTENZA,

From METASTASIO.

Ar length the parting hour is come!

Sweet maid a long farewell!
How shall I bear the cruel doom,

Remote from thee to dwell!
Unbless'd will then my hours appear,

From murm'rings never free;

But Flavia, who can tell, if e'er
Thou'lt deign to think on me.

When through the pleasing scenes I pass,

Where oft with thee I've stray'd,

I'll trace thy footsteps on the grass,
To find the print they made:

Then, fondly seated by thy side,

I'll think I'm still with thee;

But ah! perhaps the hours will glide,
And thou not think on me.

I'll tell the flinty rocks my pain,
Though fruitless it must prove;
And bid them tell me, but in vain,
Where roves my absent love.
From morn to night alone I'll stray,
And tidings ask of thee;
But ah! perhaps from day to day
Thou❜lt never think on me.

Oft will I view the pleasant spot,
By me so much belov'd,

Where all my cares were quite forgot,
Because with thee I rov'd:

And each memorial that I find,
Will sadly pleasing be;

But ah! who knows, if, nymph unkind,
Thou'lt ever think on me.

Here by that fountain will I stray,

Where once thy wrath I mov'd,
And where thy hand, with sweet delay,

The pledge of pardon prov❜d.
Here (shall I cry) on hope I fed,

And here I sigh'd with thee:

But ah! who knows, thou much-lov'd maid, If e'er thou❜lt think on me.

Unnumber'd suitors soon will crowd

Their amorous vows to pay,
And at thy feet the rich and proud

Will wealth and splendour lay;