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HER ROYAL HIGHNESS the PRINCESS AUGUSTA.

Engraved July 14506 for John Bell Fouthampton Street Strand as the Act direct exprofstry for La Belle Assemblie

Bell's

COURT AND FASHIONABLE

MAGAZINE,

For JUNE 1806.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

OF

ILLUSTRIOUS LADIES.

The Fifth Number.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS SOPHIA AUGUSTA.

SOPHIA AUGUSTA, the second daughter of our most gracious Sovereign, George the Third, and Charlotte, Queen of Great Britain, was born November 8, 1768.

Our readers are already aware of the narrow limits to which our biographical sketches are confined; and they become yet more restricted when the subject is placed upon that elevation which precludes a near and familiar survey. The privacy of domestic life affords very little incident for biography; nor are the materials much augmented when the mention is even that of a princess. Notwithstanding the amiable and useful virtues are always most successfully cultivated at home, in that sphere which comprehends, if not the most splendid, yet certainly the most beneficial portion of life.

It is the just pride of the female branch of the Royal Family of England to court this privacy and seclusion, which affords full scope for the practice of the amiable No. V. Vol. I.

and benevolent qualities of their nature, and, at the same time, does not confine their examples to themselves; they cultivate the virtues, and practise the duties of retirement, but, nevertheless, do not withhold their influence from society.

Her Royal Highness Sophia Augusta is universally allowed by all who have had the honour to approach her, to be one of the most accomplished women of the age; her manners are courtly and polished, without affectation and insincerity; and her demeanour is that of a princess, with all the condescension of the most humble subject; her mind is highly cultivated, and she is mistress of several languages, but the art in which she is most accomplished is music; her preference of this delightful study has been prosecuted to that degree of excellence which entitles her to rank as a complete mistress of the science. It is unnecessary to say more.

H H

BATHMENDI:

A PERSIAN TALE.

"This," said he, "is the treasure which I have destined for you; I am going to divide it into four equal parts, and then I will tell each of you the road he must pursue to attain the summit of happiness.

UNDER the reign of one of the Monarchs of || dariques. Persia, a merchant of Balsora, by some unfortunate speculations, was nearly ruined. He gathered the wreck of his fortune, and retired to the province of Kousistan. There he purchased an humble cottage, and a small tract of land, which he but ill cultivated, because he still regretted the time when all his wishes were amply gratified, without the aid of labour. Grief shortened the tide of life, he felt the last ebb fast approaching, and calling his four sons around him, he said to them, "My children, I have nothing to bestow on you but this cottage, and the knowledge of a secret which, till the present moment, I would not reveal. In the time of my prosperity the genius Abzim was my friend; he gave me his promise that when I was no more he would be your protector, and share amongst you a treasure. This genius inhabits the great forest of Kom. Go seek him; remind him of his promise, but be far from believing." Death would not allow him to conclude.

The merchant's four sons, after having wept and buried their father, journeyed towards the forest of Kom. When arrived, they enquired for Abzim's residence, and were soon directed to it, as he was generally known; all those that went to him met with a kind reception, he listened to their complaints, consoled them, and lent them money when they needed it. But his kindness was bestowed only on one condition-what he advised must be blindly followed. This was his command, and no one was admitted into his palace before having vowed implicit obedience.

This oath did not intimidate the three elder brothers; but the fourth, who was named Selim, conceived this ceremony very ridiculous. Still he must enter to receive the treasure, he swore as his brothers did; but reflecting on the dangerous consequences which might attend this indiscreet vow, and remembering that his father, whose life had been a series of follies, often visited Ab zim's palace, he wished, without violating his oath, to guard against all danger; and to effect this, while he was conducted to the genius, he stopped both his ears with odoriferous wax; armed with this precaution he knelt before the throne of Abzim.

Abzim raised the four sons of his late friend, embraced them, spoke to them of their father, and while shedding tears to his memory, ordered a large coffer to be brought to him, which, upon being opened, was discovered to be filled with

Selim heard nothing; but he observed the genius with attention, and thought he discovered in his eyes and countenance an expression of cunning and malignity that gave him much suspicion. However he received with gratitude his share of the treasure. Abzim, after having thus enriched them, assuming an affectionate air, said, "" My dear children, your happiness or misery depend on your meeting, sooner or later, a certain being named Bathmendi, of whom every one speaks, but very few are acquainted with." All unhappy mortals slowly seek him; I am your sincere friend, and will whisper in the ear of each of you where he will be able to find Bathmendi." At these words Abzim took Bekir, the eldest of the brothers, apart; C6 My son," said he, "nature has endowed you with courage, and great warlike talents; the King of Persia is sending an army against the Turks; join this army. It is in the Persian camp where you may find Bathmendi." Bekir thanked the genius, and was impatient to depart.

Abzim beckoned the second son to approach; it was Mesrou: "You have wit," said he,

dexterity, and a great disposition to tell lies; take the road to Ispahan, it is at Court you should seek Bathmendi."

He called the third brother, who was named Omir: "You," said he, " are endowed with objects, not as they really are, but as you wish a teeming and lively imagination, you regard them to be; you have often genius, but seldom common sense; you will become a poet; take the road to Agra; it is among the wits and beauties of that town that you may find Bathmendi."

Selim advanced in his turn, and thanks to the wax in his ears, heard not a word of what Abzim said. It has been since known that he advised him to become a Dervise.

The four brothers, after thanking the beneficent genius, returned to their habitation. The three eldest dreamed but of Bathmendi; Selim took the wax from his ears, and heard them arrange their departure, and propose selling their little house to the first bidder, that they might share the profit arising from it. Selim asked to become the purchaser; this they readily agreed

to the house and field were valued, and he paid what was coming to each of his brothers, wished them much prosperity, embraced them tenderly, and remained alone under the paternal roof.

It was then he wished to execute a project he had long thought of. He loved the young Amina, daughter of a neighbouring peasant. Beauty and wisdom had lavished their choicest gifts upon Amina. She took care of her father's house, watched attentively over his declining years, and only asked of God two things-that her father might long be spared, and that she might become the wife of Selim. Her wishes were granted. Selim asked her hand, and obtained it. Amina's father consented to live with his beloved child, and taught Selim how to cultivate the land to advantage. Selim had still a little gold remaining, which was employed in improving his es ate, and purchasing a flock of sheep; the fields were soon doubled in value; the sheep paid their tribute of wool, abundance reigned in his house, and as he was laborious, and his wife economical, each year augmented their revenue. Amina annually presented him with a pledge of their mutual love; children who impoverish the wealthy sons of idleness, enrich the industrious cultivator of the fields. years -Selim was the father of seven blooming children, blessed with an amiable and virtuous wife, a wise and affectionate father-in-law, master of numerous slaves, and possessor of two flocks, he was the happiest and wealthiest farmer of all Kousistan.

In seven

Meanwhile his three brothers were running after Bathmendi. Bekir, on arriving at the Persian camp, had presented himself before the Grand Vizir, and begged to be enrolled in the corps most exposed to danger.

His figure and courage pleased the Vizir, who admitted him into a troop of cavalry. A few days after the battle took place; it was bloody. Bekir wrought miracles, he saved the life of his general, and took prisoner the enemy's chief. Every one echoed Bekir's praises; each soldier called him the hero of Persia; and the grateful Vizir raised him to the rank of Officer General. "Abzim was right," thought Bekir, "it was here that fortune awaited me; all foretels that I shall soon meet Bathmendi."

Bekir's success, and particularly his elevation, excited in the breasts of the Satrapes envy and murmuring. Some came to ask news of his father, and complained of having their debts compromised in his bankruptcy; others pretended that his mother had been their slave; and all refused to serve under him, because they were his seniors.

Bekir, unhappy even by his successes, lived solitary, always on his guard, always expecting

some outrage, which he could avenge, but not prevent; he regretted the time when he was only a simple soldier, and waited with impatience for the termination of the war, when the Turks, with a fresh reinforcements, and commanded by a new general, came and attacked Bekir's division.

The Satrapes had long wished for this opportunity, and employed a hundred times more skill to have their general defeated, than they had in the whole course of their lives displayed to defend themselves. Bekir fought like a lion, but he was neither obeyed nor seconded. The Persian soldiers vainly resisted, their officers guided, and only prompted them to flight. The brave Bakir, abandoned, covered with wounds, sunk under the weight of them, and was taken by the Janissaries. The Turkish general was base enough to have him loaded with irons, as soon as he could bear them, and sent him to Constantinople, where he was thrown into a dungeon.

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"Alas!" exclaimed he, "I begin to fear that Abzim has deceived me, for I cannot hope here to meet Bathmendi."

--

The war lasted fifteen years, and the Satrapes always prevented Bekir's being exchanged. Peace at length restored him his liberty; he immediately returned to Ispahan, and sought his friend the Vizier, whose life he had saved. It was three weeks before he could gain access to him; at the expiration of this time he obtained an audience. Fifteen years imprisonment had greatly altered a very handsome young man, Bekir was scarcely to be recognized, and the Vizir did not remember him; at last, on recalling the many glorious epochs of his life, he remembered that Bekir had formerly rendered him a trifling service. "Yes, yes, my friend," said he, "I remember you; you are a brave fellow; but the state is loaded with debts, a long war and great festivals have exhausted our finances ; however, call again, I will try, I will see, I will "But I am in want of bread, and for three weeks have sought the opportunity of speaking to your Highness. I should have died with hunger, if an old soldier, my former comrade, had not shared with me his pay." "This soldier's conduct is much to be commended," answered the Vizir," it is truly affecting; I will relate it to the King; return to see me, you know I esteem you." Saying these words he turned his back on Bekir, who called the next day, but could not obtain an audience; in despair he quitted the palace, resolving never to enter it again.

see."

He travelled on till he came to the river Zondron; overcome with fatigue, he fell at the foot of a tree; there he reflected on the ingratitude

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