Evenings at Home, Or, the Juvenile Budget Opened; Consisting of a Variety of Miscellaneous Pieces for the Instruction and Amusement of Young Persons V (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1819 edition. Excerpt: ... THE BIRTH-DAY GIFT. The populous kingdom of Ava, in India beyond the Ganges, was once inherited by a minor prince, who was brought up in the luxurious indolence of an eastern palace. When he had reached the age of seventeen, which, by the laws of that country, was the period of majority for the crown, all the great men of his court, andthe governors of the provinces, according to established custom, laid at his feet presents consisting of the most costly products of art and nature that they had been able to procure. One offered a casket of the most precious jewels of Golconda; another a curious piece of clockwork made by an European artist; another, a piece of the richest silk from the looms of China; another, a bezoar stone said to be a sovereign antidote against all poisons and infectiousdiseases; another, a choice piece of the most fragrant rose-wood, m a box of ebony inlayed with pearls 5 another, a golden cruse full of genuine balsam of Mecca; another, a courser of the purest breed of Arabia; and another, a female slave of exquisite beauty. The whole court of the palace was over* spread with rarities; and long rows of slaves were continually passing loaded with vessels and utensils of gold and silver, and other articles of high price. At length an aged magistrate from a distant province made his appearance. He was simply clad in a long cotton robe, and his hoary beard waved on his breast. He made his obeisance before the 'young monarch, and holding forth an embroidered silken bag, he thus addressed him: " Deign, great king, to accept the faithful homage and fervent good wishes of thy servant on this important day, and with them, the small present I hold in my hand. Small, indeed, it is in show, but not so, I trust, in value....