The great Almanzor, as he is called, to distinguish him from some other
Arabian princes of his name, was king of Cordova, in Spain. He was no
less famous for his wisdom than for his courage; he wrote a book of
maxims, from which these that follow are taken.
“If hungry beggars are whipt through the streets, beggars in fine
cloaths have a right to their proportion of notice, and should be sent
to the gallies.
“Pride is as true a beggar, very often, as poverty can be, but a good
deal more saucy.
“A prince who resolves to do no good, unless he can do every thing,
teaches his people to see that they are slaves, and they have a right to
do whatever they have a mind to.
“Power and liberty are like heat and moisture; when they are well mixed,
every thing prospers; when they are single, they ever do mischief.
“I believe the least useful part of the people have the most credit with
the prince. Men will conclude therefore, that to get every thing, it is
necessary to be good for nothing.”
* * * * *
* * * *
THE VICTIM OF MAGICAL DELUSION;
_OR, INTERESTING MEMOIRS OF MIGUEL, DUKE DE CA*I*A._
Unfolding Many Curious Unknown Historical Facts.
_Translated from the German of Tschink._
(Continued from page 235.)
I had not yet recovered from my astonishment at the speech of the Duke,
when Alumbrado asked me, after a short pause:
“Then you think it absurd to believe in the possibility of apparitions?”
“A belief that has no firm foundation is absurd.”
“You then think every apparition, however it be shaped--”
“Is delusion, the source of which arises either from external natural
causes, or flows from our bewildered imagination, or from both at once.”
“One question more!” the Duke said, “What do you think of the occult
wisdom which Hiermanfor is said to have learnt from the Bramins?”
“That it consists in a profound knowledge of physic and natural
history.”
“And the supernatural power he is boasting of--?”
“Is nothing but a skilful application of that knowledge!”
The Duke remained silent for some time, and then resumed:
“You think it impossible for mortals to acquire a supernatural power?”