On entering the room, I found Harriot performing the honours of the tea-table before a showy circle of her own fex, and a sprightly young fellow, whom I have frequently seen with her of late.-As I am not found of a crowd, tho' a brilliant one, I told her I would wait on her when she was less engaged; but she intreated me with her accustomed vivacity not to withdraw; " I defire you will take your tea here, "Mr. BABBLE, said she. You need not be " afraid of us, continued she in a half whisper, "we shall take care to behave more respectfully, *" and be more sparing of our invectives against " old batchelors. - You understand me." -This arch speech of hers made me survey her with a great deal of accuracy. I did not immediately discover the cause of so much gaiete de cœur, but when I closely examined the eyes of her female companions, I perceived they were enviously turned upon her, because she engrossed the looks of her male visiter, who feemed, indeed, to view her with the attention and sensibility of a lover. By this discovery I could easily account for her uncommon flow of spirits, and readiness of expression, and therefore determi

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ned to fit snug, in order to make remarks on the whole groupe. It was some time before I could gain any intellegence by the help of my auricular organs, because they all talked at once, but when the tea-equipage was removed, they chattered together in parties. The beau devoted himself entirely to my ward, and in so doing, made her so prodigiously happy, that she was scarce able to conduct herself with decorum. Visibly elated with the thoughts of being preferred to all her acquaintance, she played off some airs and graces so triumphantly, and shewed fo many symptoms of coquettry and affectation, that I longed to have a private interview with her, and to give her a few friendly hints. As I was disgusted with her behaviour, I went to another part of the room, and fat near a couple of homely girls, who were loudly exclaiming against beauty in woman; declaring they would not be handsome "for the world." Then they made a quick transition to filks, ribbons, laces, &c. &c. &c. - "This is a sweet pretty pattern." - "That's ous one."

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"This ruffle is too scanty."

"That

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"That has no slope at all."-" Miss Frize looks like a witch in grey powder."" Miss Joint to be sure is well enough, but then she has such a monstrous hand and foot." - "Aye, and yet she wears bracelets."" What, with that fist?" "Don't you think Miss Aimwell looks excessively red this afternoon ?"-" She gives herself violent airs I think."-" Lard, well I think vetily she squints." "No, no, but she has a filthy caft with her eye." Tired with this empty, unedifying conversation, I went to another set, who were endeavouring to thrust a squirrel into Mr. Bellair's pocket, because they could not endure to see Harriot in a Tete-a-Tete with him. This gentleman, tho' chagrined to be interrupted in the midst of his Douceurs, was obliged to say a few civil things to his mistress's vifiters in order to keep them in a tolerable humour. In short, I was so dissatisfied with the behaviour of all the ladies, that I produced my pocket-book, and told them I would, with their permiffion, read a tale, written fome hundred years ago by an oriental sage, and tranflated by their humble servant,

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for the Use of his fair Countrywomen. Harriot composed her own Features, and endeavoured to make her giggling Companions attentive.

Zulima, the Daughter of Abukazan, was form. ed for pleasure, and finished for delight. She was tall as the towering Palm, and strait as the lofty Pine. Her countenance was animated with the Glow of Health, and her Smile was as the Dawn of the vernal Day. Symmetry was discernible in every Limb, in every Gesture Grace. The hearts of the young men bounded with joy at her approach. They declared she was fairer than a Houri; and even the Daughters of the Land confefsed she was beautiful.

Yet with all her personal advantages, Zulima, thơ' she excited admiration, could not attract efteem. She was thoughtless and volatile, fantaftical and capricious, and so giddy with the intoxicating fumes of adulation, that she spent the greatest part of her time in changing the position of her vestments, and altering the arrangement of her jewels. Sometimes she braided her jetty tresses, which were black as the feathers of the Raven, and turned them up under a muflin, bordered with filver and gold; sometimes she suffered them to flow carelesly on her shoulders, over

an azure robe, and placed new-blown roses on her forehead, which was as spacious as a full Moon. Sometimes she threw a transparent Veil over her, but practised a thousand arts to make it rife and fall, and discover to the enamoured gazer, Teeth white as the tufks of the Elephant, Lips red as the ruby of Ava, Cheeks tinged with the blushes of the Morning, and Eyes piercing as those of the Eagle.

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While the was reclined on a Sofa, one Evening, after a sultry Day, under a pavilion in the Garden of her Father Abukazan, and lay ruminating on methods to increase her Charms, and extend her Conquests, she saw a thick smoke rife out of the ground. It curled like a Vine, and afscended like a Column. While she was earnestly watching its progress, a little Old Man, with a Beard whiter than Snow, which reached to his Fect, appeared before her." Zulima, said he,

listen to the voice of Instruction, and let not "the accents of Reproof be difregarded. I am "the Genius Abdaric. I behold thy Beauties " with delight. Be not therefore vain, for know I behold them with concern. I am come from the bottom of the Earth, to teach thee "Wisdom, and to fnatch thee from Destruction. "Follow my advice and be happy. Thou vain" ly