16.  The islands, said he, that are so fresh and green before thee, and with which the whole face of the ocean appears spotted as far as thou canst see, are more in number than the sand on the sea-shore; there are myriads of islands behind those which thou here discoverest, reaching further than thine eye, or even thine imagination can extend itself.  These are the mansions of good men after death, who, according to the degree and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, are distributed among these several islands, which abound with pleasures of different kinds and degrees, suitable to the relishes and perfections of those who are settled in them; every island is a paradise, accommodated to its respective inhabitants.

17.  Are not these, O Mirza, habitations worth contending for?  Does life appear miserable, that gives thee opportunities of earning such a reward?  Is death to be feared, that will convey thee to so happy an existence?  Think not man was made in vain, who has such an eternity reserved for him.  I gazed, with inexpressible pleasure, on these happy islands.  At length, said I, shew me now, I beseech thee, the secrets that lie hid under those dark clouds, which cover the ocean on the other side of the rock of adamant.

18.  The genius making me no answer, I turned about to address myself to him a second time, but I found that he had left me; I then turned again to the vision which I had been so long contemplating:  but instead of the rolling tide, the arched bridge, and the happy islands, I saw nothing but the long, hollow valley of Bagdat, with oxen, sheep, and camels grazing upon the sides of it.

Riches not productive of Happiness:  The Story of Ortogrul of Basra.

IDLER, No. 99.

1.  As Ortogrul of Basra was one day wandering along the streets of Bagdat, musing on the varieties of merchandize which the shops altered to his view, and observing the different occupations which busied the multitude on every side, he was awakened from the tranquillity of meditation by a crowd that obstructed his passage.  He raised his eyes, and saw the Chief Vizier, who, having returned from the Divan, was entering his palace.

2.  Ortogrul mingled with the attendants, and being supposed to have some petiton for the Vizier, was permitted to enter.  He surveyed the spaciousness of the apartments, admired the walls hung with golden tapestry, and the floors covered with silken carpets, and despised the simple neatness of his own little habitation.

3.  Surely, said he to himself, this palace is the seat of happiness, where pleasure succeeds to pleasure, and discontent and sorrow can have no admission.  Whatever nature has provided for the delight of sense, is here spread forth to be enjoyed.  What can mortals hope or imagine, which the master of this palace has not obtained?  The dishes of luxury cover his table, the voice of harmony lulls him in his bowers; he breathes the fragrance of the groves of Java, and sleeps upon the down of the cygnets of Ganges.  He speaks, and his mandate is obeyed; he wishes, and his wish is gratified! all whom he sees obey him, and all whom he hears flatter him.