Sir John Malcolm cites a good example of the ready wit of the citizens of Isfahan, in his entertaining Sketches of Persia, as follows:  When the celebrated Haji Ibrahim was prime minister of Persia [some sixty years since], his brother was governor of Isfahan, while other members of his family held several of the first offices of the kingdom.  A shop-keeper one day went to the governor to represent that he was unable to pay certain taxes.  “You must pay them,” replied the governor, “or leave the city.”  “Where can I go to?” asked the Isfahani.  “To Shiraz or Kashan.”  “Your nephew rules in one city and your brother in the other.”  “Go to the Shah, and complain if you like.”  “Your brother the Haji is prime minister.”  “Then go to Satan,” said the enraged governor.  “Haji Merhum, your father, the pious pilgrim, is dead,” rejoined the undaunted Isfahani.  “My friend,” said the governor, bursting into laughter, “I will pay your taxes, even myself, since you declare that my family keep you from all redress, both in this world and the next.”

* * * * *

The Hebrew Rabbis who compiled the Talmud were, some of them, witty as well as wise—­indeed I have always held that wisdom and wit are cousins german, if not full brothers—­and our specimens of Oriental Wit and Humour may be fittingly concluded with a few Jewish jests from a scarce little book, entitled, Hebrew Tales, by Hyman Hurwitz:  An Athenian, walking about in the streets of Jerusalem one day, called to a little Hebrew boy, and, giving him a pruta (a small coin of less value than a farthing), said:  “Here is a pruta, my lad, bring me something for it, of which I may eat enough, leave some for my host, and carry some home to my family.”  The boy went, and presently returned with a quantity of salt, which he handed to the jester.  “Salt!” he exclaimed, “I did not ask thee to buy me salt.”  “True,” said the urchin; “but didst thou not tell me to bring thee something of which thou mightest eat, leave, and take home?  Of this salt there is surely enough for all three purposes."[40]

   [40] In the Rev. J. Hinton Knowles’ Folk-Tales of Kashmir a
        merchant gives his stupid son a small coin with which he
        is to purchase something to eat, something to drink,
        something to gnaw, something to sow in the garden, and
        some food for the cow.  A clever young girl advises him
        to buy a water-melon, which would answer all the
        purposes required.—­P. 145.

Another Athenian desired a boy to buy him some cheese and eggs.  Having done so, “Now, my lad,” said the stranger, “tell me which of these cheese were made of the milk of white goats and which of black goats?” The little Hebrew answered:  “Since thou art older than I, and more experienced, first do thou tell me which of these eggs came from white and which from black hens.”