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Java® All-in-One For Dummies®, 5th Edition
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street,
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New
Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2017934999
ISBN: 978-1-119-24779-1 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-24780-7 (ebk);
ISBN 978-1-119-24781-4 (ebk)
Java® All-in-One For
Dummies®
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Table of Contents
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1: Java Basics
Chapter 1: Welcome to Java
What Is Java, and Why Is It So Great?
Java versus Other Languages
Important Features of the Java Language
On the Downside: Java’s Weaknesses
Java Version Insanity
What’s in a Name?
Chapter 2: Installing and Using Java
Tools
Downloading and Installing the Java Development
Kit
Using Java’s Command-Line Tools
 Using Java Documentation
Chapter 3: Working with TextPad
Downloading and Installing TextPad
Editing Source Files
Compiling a Program
Running a Java Program
Book 2: Programming Basics
Chapter 1: Java Programming Basics
Looking at the Infamous Hello, World! Program
Dealing with Keywords
Working with Statements
Working with Blocks
Creating Identifiers
Crafting Comments
Introducing Object-Oriented Programming
Importing Java API Classes
Chapter 2: Working with Variables
and Data Types
Declaring Variables
Initializing Variables
Using Final Variables (Constants)
Working with Primitive Data Types
Working with Strings
Converting and Casting Numeric Data
Thinking Inside the Box
Understanding Scope
Shadowing Variables
Printing Data with System.out
Getting Input with the Scanner Class
Getting Input with the JOptionPane Class
Using enum to Create Your Own Data Types
Chapter 3: Working with Numbers
and Expressions
 Working with Arithmetic Operators
Dividing Integers
Combining Operators
Using the Unary Plus and Minus Operators
Using Increment and Decrement Operators
Using the Assignment Operator
Using Compound Assignment Operators
Using the Math Class
Formatting Numbers
Recognizing Weird Things about Java Math
Chapter 4: Making Choices
Using Simple Boolean Expressions
Using if Statements
Using Mr. Spock’s Favorite Operators (Logical
Ones, of Course)
Using the Conditional Operator
Comparing Strings
Chapter 5: Going Around in Circles
(Or, Using Loops)
Using Your Basic while Loop
Breaking Out of a Loop
Looping Forever
Using the continue Statement
Running do-while Loops
Validating Input from the User
Using the Famous for Loop
Nesting Your Loops
Chapter 6: Pulling a Switcheroo
Battling else-if Monstrosities
Using the switch Statement
Creating Character Cases
Intentionally Leaving Out a Break Statement
Switching with Strings
 Chapter 7: Adding Some Methods to
Your Madness
The Joy of Methods
The Basics of Making Methods
Methods That Return Values
Methods That Take Parameters
Chapter 8: Handling Exceptions
Understanding Exceptions
Catching Exceptions
Handling Exceptions with a Preemptive Strike
Catching All Exceptions at Once
Displaying the Exception Message
Using a finally Block
Handling Checked Exceptions
Throwing Your Own Exceptions
Catching Multiple Exceptions
Book 3: Object-Oriented Programming
Chapter 1: Understanding Object-
Oriented Programming
What Is Object-Oriented Programming?
Understanding Objects
Understanding the Life Cycle of an Object
Working with Related Classes
Designing a Program with Objects
Diagramming Classes with UML
Chapter 2: Making Your Own Classes
Declaring a Class
Working with Members
Using Getters and Setters
Overloading Methods
Creating Constructors
Finding More Uses for the this Keyword
Using Initializers
Chapter 3: Working with Statics
Understanding Static Fields and Methods
Working with Static Fields
Using Static Methods
Counting Instances
Preventing Instances
Using Static Initializers
Chapter 4: Using Subclasses and
Inheritance
Introducing Inheritance
Creating Subclasses
Overriding Methods
Protecting Your Members
Using this and super in Your Subclasses
Understanding Inheritance and Constructors
Using final
Casting Up and Down
Determining an Object’s Type
Poly What?
Creating Custom Exceptions
Chapter 5: Using Abstract Classes
and Interfaces
Using Abstract Classes
Using Interfaces
More Things You Can Do with Interfaces
Using Default Methods
Chapter 6: Using the Object and Class
Classes
The Mother of All Classes: Object
The toString Method
The equals Method
The clone Method
The Class Class
 Chapter 7: Using Inner Classes,
Anonymous Classes, and Lambda
Expressions
Declaring Inner Classes
Using Static Inner Classes
Using Anonymous Inner Classes
Using Lambda Expressions
Chapter 8: Working with Packages
and the New Java Module System
Working with Packages
Putting Your Classes in a JAR File
Using JavaDoc to Document Your Classes
Using the Java Module System
Book 4: Strings, Arrays, and Collections
Chapter 1: Working with Strings
Reviewing Strings
Using the String Class
Using the StringBuilder and StringBuffer Classes
Using the CharSequence Interface
Chapter 2: Using Arrays
Understanding Arrays
Creating Arrays
Initializing an Array
Using for Loops with Arrays
Solving Homework Problems with Arrays
Using the Enhanced for Loop
Using Arrays with Methods
Using Two-Dimensional Arrays
Working with a Fun but Complicated Example: A
Chessboard
Using the Arrays Class
Chapter 3: Using the ArrayList Class
Understanding the ArrayList Class
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 Creating an ArrayList Object
Adding Elements
Accessing Elements
Printing an ArrayList
Using an Iterator
Updating Elements
Deleting Elements
Chapter 4: Using the LinkedList Class
Understanding the LinkedList Class
Creating a LinkedList
Adding Items to a LinkedList
Retrieving Items from a LinkedList
Updating LinkedList Items
Removing LinkedList Items
Chapter 5: Creating Generic
Collection Classes
Why Generics?
Creating a Generic Class
A Generic Stack Class
Using Wildcard-Type Parameters
A Generic Queue Class
Using the Diamond Operator
Chapter 6: Using Bulk Data
Operations with Collections
Looking At a Basic Bulk Data Operation
Looking Closer at the Stream Interface
Using Parallel Streams
Book 5: Programming Techniques
Chapter 1: Programming Threads
Understanding Threads
Creating a Thread
Implementing the Runnable Interface
Creating Threads That Work Together
 Using an Executor
Synchronizing Methods
Creating a Lock
Coping with Threadus Interruptus
Chapter 2: Using Regular Expressions
Creating a Program for Experimenting with Regular
Expressions
Performing Basic Character Matching
Using Regular Expressions in Java Programs
Chapter 3: Using Recursion
Calculating the Classic Factorial Example
Displaying Directories
Writing Your Own Sorting Routine
Chapter 4: Working with Dates and
Times
Pondering How Time is Represented
Picking the Right Date and Time Class for Your
Application
Using the now Method to Create a Date-Time
Object
Using the parse Method to Create a Date-Time
Object
Using the of Method to Create a Date-Time Object
Looking Closer at the LocalDate Class
Extracting Information About a Date
Comparing Dates
Calculating with Dates
Formatting Dates
Looking at a Fun Birthday Calculator
Book 6: JavaFX
Chapter 1: Hello, JavaFX!
Perusing the Possibilities of JavaFX
Looking at a Simple JavaFX Program
Importing JavaFX Packages
 Extending the Application Class
Launching the Application
Overriding the start Method
Creating a Button
Handling an Action Event
Creating a Layout Pane
Making a Scene
Setting the Stage
Examining the Click Counter Program
Chapter 2: Handling Events
Examining Events
Handling Events
Implementing the EventHandler Interface
Handling Events with Inner Classes
Handling Events with Anonymous Inner Classes
Using Lambda Expressions to Handle Events
Chapter 3: Setting the Stage and
Scene Layout
Examining the Stage Class
Examining the Scene Class
Switching Scenes
Creating an Alert Box
Exit, Stage Right
Chapter 4: Using Layout Panes to
Arrange Your Scenes
Working with Layout Panes
Using the HBox Layout
Spacing Things Out
Adding Space with Margins
Adding Space by Growing Nodes
Using the VBox Layout
Aligning Nodes in a Layout Pane
Making Nodes the Same Width
Using the Flow Layout
 Using the Border Layout
Using the GridPane Layout
Chapter 5: Getting Input from the
User
Using Text Fields
Validating Numeric Data
Using Check Boxes
Using Radio Buttons
Looking at a Pizza Order Application
Chapter 6: Choosing from a List
Using Choice Boxes
Working with Observable Lists
Listening for Selection Changes
Using Combo Boxes
Using List Views
Using Tree Views
Book 7: Web Programming
Chapter 1: Using Java Web Start
Looking at a Simple JavaFX Program
Understanding Java Web Start
Creating a JNLP File
Creating an HTML File to Launch a Java
Application
Uploading the Java Web Start Files to Your Web
Server
Launching the ClickMe Application Using Java Web
Start
Creating an Exception to Allow Java Web Start
Applications to Run
Chapter 2: Creating Servlets
Understanding Servlets
Using Tomcat
Creating a Simple Servlet
Running a Servlet
 Improving the HelloWorld Servlet
Getting Input from the User
Using Classes in a Servlet
Chapter 3: Using JavaServer Pages
Understanding JavaServer Pages
Using Page Directives
Using Expressions
Using Scriptlets
Using Declarations
Using Classes
Chapter 4: Using JavaBeans
Getting to Know JavaBeans
Looking Over a Sample Bean
Using Beans with JSP Pages
Scoping Your Beans
Book 8: Files and Databases
Chapter 1: Working with Files
Using the File Class
Using Command-Line Parameters
Choosing Files in a Swing Application
Using Path Objects
Using a File Visitor to Walk a File Tree
Chapter 2: Working with File Streams
Understanding Streams
Reading Character Streams
Writing Character Streams
Reading Binary Streams
Writing Binary Streams
Chapter 3: Database for $100, Please
Defining a Relational Database
Understanding (and Pronouncing) SQL
Introducing SQL Statements
Creating a SQL Database
Querying a Database
 Updating and Deleting Rows
Chapter 4: Using JDBC to Connect to
a Database
Setting Up a Driver
Connecting to a Database
Querying a Database
Updating SQL Data
Using an Updatable RowSet Object
Chapter 5: Working with XML
Defining XML
Using a DTD
Processing XML in Two Ways: DOM and SAX
Reading a DOM Document
Reading DOM Nodes
Putting It All Together: A Program That Lists
Movies
About the Author
Advertisement Page
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
 Introduction
Welcome to Java All-in-One For Dummies, 5th Edition — the one
Java book that’s designed to replace an entire shelf full of the
dull, tedious titles you’d otherwise have to buy. This book
contains all the basic information you need to know to get going
with Java programming, starting with writing statements and
using variables and ending with techniques for writing programs
that use animation and play games. Along the way, you find
plenty of not-so-basic information about programming user
interfaces, working with classes and objects, creating web
applications, and dealing with files and databases.
You can (and probably should, eventually) buy separate books on
each of these topics. It won’t take long before your bookshelf is
bulging with 10,000 or more pages of detailed information about
every imaginable nuance of Java programming. But before you’re
ready to tackle each of those topics in depth, you need to get a
bird’s-eye picture. That’s what this book is about.
And if you already own 10,000 pages or more of Java information,
you may be overwhelmed by the amount of detail and wonder,
“Do I really need to read 1,200 pages about JSP just to create a
simple web page? And do I really need a six-pound book on
JavaFX?” Truth is, most 1,200-page programming books have
about 200 pages of really useful information — the kind you use
every day — and about 1,000 pages of excruciating details that
apply mostly if you’re writing guidance-control programs for
nuclear missiles or trading systems for the New York Stock
Exchange.
The basic idea here is that I’ve tried to wring out the 100-or-so
most useful pages of information on these different Java
programming topics: setup and configuration, basic programming,
object-oriented programming, programming techniques, JavaFX,
file and database programming, web programming, and animation
and game programming. Thus you get a nice, trim book.
So whether you’re just getting started with Java programming or
you’re a seasoned pro, you’ve found the right book.
About This Book
Java All-in-One For Dummies, 5th Edition, is a reference for all the
great things (and maybe a few not-so-great things) that you may
need to know when you’re writing Java programs. You can, of
course, buy a huge 1,200-page book on each of the programming
topics covered in this book. But then, who would carry them
home from the bookstore for you? And where would you find the
shelf space to store them? And when will you find the time to
read them?
In this book, all the information you need is conveniently
packaged for you in-between one set of covers. And all of the
information is current for the newest release of Java, known as
JDK 9. This book doesn’t pretend to be a comprehensive
reference for every detail on every possible topic related to Java
programming. Instead, it shows you how to get up and running
fast so that you have more time to do the things you really want
to do. Designed using the easy-to-follow For Dummies format,
this book helps you get the information you need without laboring
to find it.
Java All-in-One For Dummies, 5th Edition, is a big book made up
of nine smaller books — minibooks, if you will. Each of these
minibooks covers the basics of one key element of programming,
such as installing Java and compiling and running programs, or
using basic Java statements, or using JavaFX to write GUI
applications.
Whenever one big thing is made up of several smaller things,
confusion is always a possibility. That’s why this book has multiple
access points. At the beginning is a detailed table of contents that
covers the entire book. Then each minibook begins with a
minitable of contents that shows you at a miniglance what
chapters are included in that minibook. Useful running heads
appear at the top of each page to point out the topic discussed on
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that page. And handy thumbtabs run down the side of the pages
to help you find each minibook quickly. Finally, a comprehensive
index lets you find information anywhere in the entire book.
Foolish Assumptions
You and I have never met, so it is difficult for me to make any
assumptions about why you are interested in this book. However,
let’s start with a few basic assumptions:

You own or have access to a relatively modern

computer. The examples were created on a Windows
computer, but you can learn to program in Java just as easily on
a Mac or Linux computer.
You’re an experienced computer user. In other words, I
assume that you know the basics of using your computer, such
as starting programs and working with the file system.
You’re interested in learning how to write programs in
the Java language. Since that’s what this book teaches, it’s a
fair assumption.

I do not make any assumptions about any previous programming

experience in Java or in any other programming language. Nor do
I make any assumptions about why you want to learn about Java
programming. There are all sorts of valid reasons for learning
Java. Some want to learn Java for professional reasons; maybe
you want to become a professional Java programmer, or maybe
you are a C# or C++ programmer who occasionally needs to
work in Java. On the other hand, maybe you think programming
in Java would make an interesting hobby.
Regardless of your motivation, I do assume that you are a
reasonably intelligent person. You don’t have to have a degree in
advanced physics, or a degree in anything at all for that matter, to
master Java programming. All you have to be is someone who
wants to learn and isn’t afraid to try.
Icons Used in This Book
Like any For Dummies book, this book is chock-full of helpful
icons that draw your attention to items of particular importance.
You find the following icons throughout this book:

Danger, Will Robinson! This icon highlights information

that may help you avert disaster.

Something new is aloft! I point it out with this icon.

Did I tell you about the memory course I took?

Pay special attention to this icon; it lets you know that

some particularly useful tidbit is at hand.

Hold it — overly technical stuff is just around the corner.

Obviously, because this is a programming book, almost every
paragraph of the next 900 or so pages could get this icon. So
I reserve it for those paragraphs that go into greater depth,
down into explaining how something works under the covers
— probably deeper than you really need to know to use a
feature, but often enlightening.
Beyond the Book
In addition to the material in the print or e-book you’re reading
right now, this product also comes with some access-anywhere
goodies on the web. Check out the free Cheat Sheet for more on
Java. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and
type Java All-in-One For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the
Search box.
You can also download the code used in the book at
www.dummies.com/go/javaaiofd5e .
Where to Go from Here
This isn’t the kind of book you pick up and read from start to
finish, as if it were a cheap novel. If I ever see you reading it at
the beach, I’ll kick sand in your face. Beaches are for reading
romance novels or murder mysteries, not programming books.
Although you could read straight through from start to finish, this
book is a reference book, the kind you can pick up, open to just
about any page, and start reading. You don’t have to memorize
anything in this book. It’s a “need-to-know” book: You pick it up
when you need to know something. Need a reminder on the
constructors for the ArrayList class? Pick up the book. Can’t
remember the goofy syntax for anonymous inner classes? Pick up
the book. After you find what you need, put the book down and
get on with your life.
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
fail to come back with the ass next morning, to carry me back again to the
khan of Mesrour.

I knocked at the door, and presently two little girl-slaves, white as snow,
and neatly dressed, came and opened it. Be pleased to come in, sir, said
they; our mistress expects you impatiently; these two days she has talked of
nothing but you. I entered the court, and saw a great pavilion, raised upon
seven steps, and surrounded with iron rails that parted it from a very
pleasant garden. Besides the trees which only embellished the place, and
formed an agreeable shade, there was an infinite number of other trees
loaded with all sorts of fruit. I was charmed with the warbling of a great
number of birds, that joined their notes to the murmurings of a very high
water-work, in the middle of a parterre enamelled with flowers. This water-
work was a very agreeable sight; four large gilded dragons at the angles of
the basin, which was of a square form, spouted out water clearer than rock-
crystal. This delicious place gave me a charming idea of the conquest I had
made. The two little slaves conducted me into a saloon magnificently
furnished; and while one of them went to acquaint her mistress with my
arrival, the other tarried with me, and pointed out to me the beauties of the
hall.

I did not tarry long in the hall, ere the lady I loved appeared, adorned with
pearls and diamonds; but the splendour of her eyes far outshone that of her
jewels. Her shape, which was now not disguised by the habit she wore in
the city, appeared the most slender and advantageous. I need not mention
with what joy we met once more; that far exceeds all expression. I shall
only tell you, that when the first compliments were over, we sat both down
upon a sofa, and there conversed together with the highest satisfaction.
After that, we had the most delicious messes served up to us; and after
eating, continued our conversation till night. At night we had excellent wine
brought up, and such fruit as is apt to promote drinking; and timed our cups
to the sound of musical instruments, joined to the voices of the slaves. The
lady of the house sung herself, and by her songs raised my passion to the
height. In short, I passed the night in the full enjoyment of all manner of
pleasure.
 Next morning I slipt under the bolster of the bed the purse with the fifty
pieces of gold I had brought with me, and took leave of the lady, who asked
me when I would see her again. Madam, said I, I give you my promise to
return this night. She seemed to be transported with my answer, and
conducting me to the door, conjured me at parting to be mindful of my
promise.

The same man that had carried me thither, waited for me with his ass,
which I mounted, and went directly to the khan, ordering the man to come
to me again in the afternoon at a certain hour; to secure which, I would not
pay him till that time came.

As soon as I arrived at my lodging, my first care was to order my people

to buy a good lamb, and several sorts of cakes, which I sent by a porter as a
present to the lady. When that was done, I attended to my serious business
till the owner of the ass came. Then I went along with him to the lady’s
house, and was received by her with as much joy as before, and entertained
with equal magnificence.

Next morning I took leave, and left her another purse with fifty pieces of
gold, and returned to my khan.

I continued to visit the lady every day, and to leave her every time a purse
with fifty pieces of gold, till the merchants whom I employed to sell my
goods, and whom I visited regularly twice a week, owed me nothing: and,
in short, I came at last to be moneyless, and hopeless of having any more.

In this desperate condition, I walked out of my lodging, not knowing what

course to take, and by chance went towards the castle, where there was a
great crowd of people to see a show given by the sultan of Egypt. As soon
as I came up to them, I wedged in among the crowd, and by chance
happened to stand by a horseman well mounted, and handsomely clothed,
who had upon the pommel of his saddle a bag, half open, with a string of
green silk hanging out of it. I clapped my hand to the bag, concluding the
silk twist might be the string of a purse within the bag: in the mean time, a
porter with a load of wood upon his back, passed by the other side of the
horse, so near that the gentleman on horseback was forced to turn his head
towards him, to avoid being hurt, or having his clothes torn by the wood. In
that moment did the devil tempt me; I took the string in one hand, and with
the other laid open the mouth of the bag, and pulled out the purse so
dexterously, that nobody perceived it. The purse was heavy, and I did not
doubt but there was gold or silver in it.

As soon as the porter had passed, the horseman, who probably had some
suspicion of what I had done while his head was turned, presently put his
hand to his bag, and finding his purse was gone, gave me such a blow that
he knocked me down. This violence shocked all who saw it; some took hold
of the horse’s bridle, to stop the gentleman, and asked him, what reason he
had to strike me, or how he came to treat a Mussulman after that rate. Do
not you trouble yourselves, said he briskly; I had reason for what I did: this
fellow is a thief. At these words, I started up, and from my appearance,
every one took my part, and cried out he was a liar, for that it was incredible
a young man such as I, should be guilty of so base an action; but while they
were holding his horse by the bridle to favour my escape, unfortunately
passed by the judge, who seeing such a crowd about the gentleman on
horseback and me, came up and asked what the matter was. Every body
present reflected on the gentleman for treating me so unjustly upon the
pretence of robbery.

The judge did not give ear to all that was said; but asked the cavalier if he
suspected any body else beside me? The cavalier told him he did not, and
gave his reasons why he believed his suspicions not to be groundless. Upon
this, the judge ordered his followers to seize me, and search me, which they
presently did; and finding the purse upon me, exposed it to the view of all
the people. The disgrace was so great, I could not bear it, but swooned
away. In the mean time the judge called for the purse.

When he had got it in his hand, he asked the horseman if it was his, and
how much money was in it. The cavalier knew it to be his own, and assured
the judge he had put twenty sequins into it. Upon which, the judge called
me before him: Come, young man, said he, confess the truth; was it you that
took the gentleman’s purse from him? Do not wait for the torture to extort
confession. Then, with downcast eyes, thinking within myself, that if I
denied the fact, they finding the purse about me, would convict me of a lie;
to avoid a double punishment, I looked up and confessed it was I. I had no
sooner made the confession than the judge called people to witness it, and
ordered my hand to be cut off. This sentence was put in execution
immediately upon the spot, to the great regret of all the spectators; nay, I
observed by the cavalier’s countenance, that he was moved with pity as
much as the rest. The judge would likewise have ordered my foot to be cut
off, but I begged the cavalier to intercede for my pardon, which he did, and
obtained it.

When the judge was gone, the cavalier came up to me, and holding out
the purse, I see plainly, said he, that necessity put you upon an action so
disgraceful and unworthy of such a handsome young man as you are. Here,
take that fatal purse; I freely give it you, and am heartily sorry for the
misfortune you have undergone. This said, he went away; and I being very
weak by loss of blood, some of the good people of the neighbourhood had
the charity to carry me into a house, and gave me a glass of wine; they
likewise dressed my arm, and wrapped up the dismembered hand in a cloth,
which I carried away with me fastened to my girdle.

If I had returned to the khan of Mesrour in this melancholy condition, I

should not have found there such relief as I wanted; and to offer to go to the
young lady was running a great hazard, it being likely she would not look
upon me after she heard of my disgrace. I resolved, however, to put it to the
trial; and to tire out the crowd that followed me, I turned down several by-
streets, and at last, arrived at the lady’s house very weak, and so much
fatigued, that I presently threw myself down upon a sofa, keeping my right
arm under my garment, for I took great care to conceal my misfortune.

In the mean time, the lady, hearing of my arrival, and that I was not well,
came to me in all haste, and seeing me pale and dejected, My dear soul, said
she, what is the matter with you? —Madam, said I, dissembling, I have got
a violent pain in my head. The lady seemed to be much concerned, and
asked me to sit down, for I had got up to receive her. Tell me, said she, how
your illness came: the last time I had the pleasure to see you, you were very
well. There must be something else that you conceal from me; let me know
what it is. I stood silent, and instead of an answer, tears trickled down my
cheeks. I cannot conceive, said she, what it is that afflicts you. Have I
unthinkingly given you any occasion of uneasiness? Or do you come on
purpose to tell me you no longer love me? —It is not that, madam, said I,
fetching a deep sigh; your unjust suspicion is an addition to my misfortune.

I could not think of discovering to her the true cause. When night came,
supper was brought, and she pressed me to eat; but considering I could only
feed myself with my left hand, I begged to be excused, upon the plea of
having no appetite. Your appetite will return, said she, if you would but
discover what you so obstinately hide from me. Your inappetency, without
doubt, is only owing to your irresolution. —Alas! madam, said I, I find I
must resolve at last. I had no sooner spoke these words, than she filled me a
cup full of wine, and offering it to me, Drink that, said she, it will give you
courage. I reached out my left hand, and took the cup.

When I had got the cup in my hand, I redoubled my tears and sighs. Why
do you sigh and weep so bitterly? said the lady: and why do you take the
cup with your left hand, rather than your right? —Ah! madam, said I,
excuse me, I beseech you; I have a swelling in my right hand. —Let me see
that swelling, said she: I will open it. I desired to be excused, alleging it was
not ripe enough for opening! and drank off the cup, which was very large.
The fumes of the wine, joined to my weakness and weariness, set me
asleep, and I slept very soundly till next morning.

In the mean time, the lady curious to know what ailed my right hand,
lifted up my garment that covered it, and saw to her great astonishment that
it was cut off, and that I had brought it along with me wrapt up in a cloth.
She presently apprehended what was my reason for declining a discovery,
notwithstanding all her pressing solicitation, and passed the night in the
greatest uneasiness upon my disgrace, which she concluded had been
occasioned only by the love I bore to her.

When I awaked, I discerned by her countenance, that she was extremely

grieved. However, that she might not increase my uneasiness, she said not a
word. She called for jelly broth of fowl, which she had ordered to be
prepared, and made me eat and drink to recruit my strength. After that, I
offered to take leave of her, but she declared I should not go out of her
doors. Though you tell me nothing of the matter, said she, I am persuaded I
am the cause of the misfortune that has befallen you. The grief that I feel
upon that score will quickly make an end of me; but before I die, I must
execute a design for your benefit. She had no sooner said the word than she
called for a judge and witnesses, and ordered a writing to be drawn up,
putting me in possession of her whole property. After this was done, and
every body dismissed, she opened a large trunk, where lay all the purses I
had given her from the commencement of our amour. There they are all
entire, said she; I have not touched one of them: here is the key: take it, for
all is yours. After I had returned her thanks for her generosity and goodness:
What I have done for you, said she, is nothing; I shall not be satisfied unless
I die, to show how much I love you. I conjured her by all the powers of
love, to give up such a fatal resolution. But all my remonstrances were
ineffectual; she was so afflicted to see me have but one hand, that she
sickened, and died after five or six weeks’ illness.

After mourning for her death as long as was decent, I took possession of
all her estate, a particular account of which she gave me before she died,
and the corn you sold for me was part of it.

What I have now told you will plead my excuse for eating with my left
hand. I am highly obliged to you for the trouble you have given yourself on
my account. I can never sufficiently recompense your fidelity. Since, thanks
to God, I have still a competent estate, notwithstanding I have spent a great
deal, I beg you to accept of the sum now in your hand, as a present from
me. —Over and above this, I have a proposal to make to you; since by
reason of this fatal accident I am obliged to depart from Cairo, I am
resolved never to see it more. If you choose to accompany me, we will trade
together as equal partners, and divide the profit.

I thanked the young man, said the Christian merchant, for the present he
had made me; and as to the proposal of travelling with him, I willingly
embraced it, assuring him, that his interest should always be as dear to me
as my own.

We fixed a day for our departure, and accordingly entered upon our
travels. We passed through Syria and Mesopotamia, travelled all over
Persia, and after stopping at several cities, came at last, sir, to your capital.
Some time after our arrival in this place, the young man having formed a
design of returning to Persia, and settling there, we balanced our accounts
and parted very good friends. He went from hence, and I, sir, continue here
in your majesty’s service. This is the story I had to tell you: does not your
majesty find it more surprising than that of the crooked buffoon?

The sultan of Casgar fell into a passion against the Christian merchant.
You are very bold, said he, to tell me a story so little worth my hearing, and
then to compare it to that of my jester. Can you flatter yourself so far as to
believe that the trifling adventures of a young debauchee can make such an
impression upon me as those of my jester? I will hang you all four, to
revenge his death.

Hearing this, the purveyor fell down frighted at the sultan’s feet. Sir, said
he, I humbly beseech your majesty to suspend your just wrath, and hear my
story; and if it appears to your majesty to be prettier than that of your jester,
to pardon us all four. The sultan having granted this request, the purveyor
began thus:

The Story told by the Sultan of Casgar’s Purveyor.

Sir, —A person of quality invited me yesterday to his daughter’s
wedding: I went to his house in the evening, at the hour appointed, and
found there a large company of doctors, ministers of justice, and others of
the best quality in the city. After the ceremony was over, we had a splendid
feast; and among other things set upon the table, there was a course with
garlic sauce, which indeed was very delicious, and coveted by every body;
we observed, however, that one of the guests did not offer to touch it,
though it stood just before him, and we invited him to do as we did. But he
conjured us not to press him upon that head. I will take care, said he, not to
touch any dish that has garlic in it; I remember too well what the tasting of
such an one cost me once before. We entreated him to tell us what was the
occasion of his strong aversion to garlic; but before he had time to make
answer, Is it thus, said the master of the house, that you honour my table?
This ragout is excellent, do not you pretend to be excused from eating of it;
you must do me that favour as well as the rest. —Sir, said the gentleman,
who was a Bagdad merchant, I hope you do not think I refuse to eat it out of
a mistaken nicety; if you will have me eat of it, I will do it; but still upon
this condition, that after eating of it, I may wash my hands, with your good
leave, forty times with alcali, [70] forty times more with the ashes of the
same plant, and forty times again with soap. I hope you will not take it ill
that I stipulate this condition, in pursuance of an oath I have made never to
taste garlic without observing it.

The master of the house would not dispense with the merchant from
eating of the ragout with garlic, and therefore ordered his servant to get
ready a basin with water, together with alcali, the ashes of the same plant,
and soap, that the merchant might wash as often as he pleased. When every
thing was got ready, Now, said he to the merchant, I hope you will do as we
do.

The merchant, displeased with the violence that was offered him, reached
out his hand, and took up a bit, which he put to his mouth trembling, and eat
with a reluctance that surprised us all. But what surprised us most of all
was, that he had only four fingers and no thumb, which none of us observed
before, though he had eat of other dishes. You have lost your thumb, said
the master of the house; by what accident? It must have been occasioned by
some extraordinary accident, a relation of which will be agreeable to the
company. —Sir, replied the merchant, I have no thumb on the right nor on
the left hand. In speaking this, he put out his left hand, and showed that
what he said was true. But this is not all, continued he: if you will believe
me, I have no great toe on either of my feet: I was maimed in this manner
by an unheard of adventure, which I am willing to relate to you, if you will
have the patience to hear me. The relation will equally raise your
astonishment and pity. Only suffer me to wash my hands first. With this he
rose from the table, and after washing his hands a hundred and twenty
times, took his place again, and recounted his story as follows:

You must know, gentlemen, that in the reign of the caliph Haroun
Alraschid, my father lived in Bagdad, the place of my nativity, and was
reputed one of the richest merchants in the city. But being a man addicted to
his pleasures, and neglecting his private affairs, instead of leaving me a
plentiful fortune at his death, he left me in such a situation, that all my
economy was scarcely sufficient to clear off his debts. However, with
difficulty, I paid them all, and through my industry and care, my little
fortune began to wear a smiling aspect.
 One morning, as I opened my shop, a lady, mounted upon a mule, and
attended by an eunuch and two slaves, stopped near my shop door, and with
the assistance of the eunuch’s hand, alighted. Madam, said the eunuch, I
told you you would be too soon; you see there is nobody yet in the
bezestein; if you had taken my advice, you might have saved yourself the
trouble of waiting here. The lady looked all round her, and finding there
was no shop open but mine, addressed herself to me, asking leave to sit in
my shop till the rest of the merchants came. I could do no less than return a
civil answer, and invite the lady into my shop.

The lady sat down in my shop, and observing there was nobody in the
whole bezestein but the eunuch and myself uncovered her face to take the
air; and I must say I never saw so beautiful a person. I no sooner had a sight
of her face, than I conceived a passion for her. I fixed my eyes upon her,
and perceived that she was not displeased with my ogling, for she gave me
a full opportunity to look on her, and did not cover her face but when she
was afraid of being taken notice of.

After she had pulled down her veil again, she told me she wanted several
sorts of the richest and finest stuffs, and asked me if I had them. Alas!
madam, said I, I am but a young man, and just beginning the world, I have
not stock enough for such great concerns, and it is a mortification to me that
I have nothing to show you that will suit you: but to save you the trouble of
going from shop to shop, as soon as the merchants come, I will go, if you
please, and fetch from them what you want, with the lowest prices, and so
you may do your business without going any farther. She complied with my
proposal, and entered into discourse with me, which continued so much the
longer, as I made her believe the merchants that could furnish what she
wanted were not yet come.

I was no less charmed with her wit than I had been before with the beauty
of her face; but there was a necessity of denying myself the pleasure of her
conversation. I ran out to see for the stuffs she wanted; and after she had
pitched upon what she liked, we agreed for five thousand drachms of coined
silver. I wrapped up the stuffs in a small bundle, and gave it to the eunuch,
who put it under his arm. This done, she rose and took leave. I followed her
with my eyes till she had reached the bezestein gate, and even after she had
mounted her mule again.

The lady had no sooner disappeared, than I perceived that love had
caused me to commit a great neglect. It had so engrossed my thoughts, that
I did not reflect that she went away without paying the money, neither had I
the thought to ask who she was or where she dwelt. However, I considered I
was accountable for a large sum to the merchants, who, perhaps, would not
have the patience to stay for their money; and so I went to them, and made
the best excuse I could, pretending that I knew the lady; and then came
home again, equally affected with love, and with the burden of such a heavy
debt.

I had desired my creditors to stay eight days for their money; and when
eight days were passed, they did not fail to dun me. —Then I entreated
them to give me eight days more, which they agreed to; and the very next
day I saw the lady come to the bezestein, mounted on her mule, with the
same attendants as before, and exactly at the same hour of the day.

She came straight to my shop. I have made you stay some time, said she,
but here is your money at last; carry it to the banker, and see it is all good
and right. The eunuch, who brought me the money, went along with me to
the banker, and we found it very right. I returned, and had the happiness of
conversing with the lady till all the shops of the bezestein were open.
Though we talked but of ordinary things, she gave them such a turn, that
they appeared new and uncommon; and convinced me that I was not
mistaken in admiring her wit at our first interview.

As soon as the merchants had arrived and opened their shops, I carried to
the respective owners the money due for their stuffs, and was readily
entrusted with more, which the lady had desired to see. She chose some
from these to the value of one thousand pieces of gold, and carried them
away as before without paying: nay, without speaking a word, or informing
me who she was. What distressed me was the consideration that while at
this rate she risked nothing, she left me without any security against being
made answerable for the goods in case she did not return. She has paid me,
thought I, a considerable sum; but she leaves me responsible for a greater.
Surely she cannot be a cheat: it is not possible she can have any such design
as to inveigle me to my ruin. The merchants do not know her; they will all
come upon me. In short, my love was not so powerful as to stifle the
uneasiness I felt, when I reflected upon all the circumstances in which I was
placed. A whole month passed before I heard any thing of the lady again;
and during that time my alarm increased. The merchants, were impatient for
their money, and to satisfy them, I was going to sell off all I had, when one
morning the lady returned with the same equipage as before.

Take your weights, said she, and weigh the gold I have brought you.
These words dispelled my fear, and inflamed my love. Before we counted
the money, she asked me several questions, and particularly if I was
married. I answered I never had been. Then reaching out the gold to the
eunuch, let us have your interposition, said she, to accommodate our
matters. Upon which the eunuch fell a laughing, and calling me aside, made
me weigh the gold. While I was thus occupied, the eunuch whispered in my
ear —I know by your eyes you love this lady, and am surprised you have
not the courage to disclose your passion. She loves you more ardently than
you do her. Do not imagine that she has any real occasion for your stuffs.
She only makes this her pretence to come here, because you have inspired
her with a violent passion. It was for this reason she asked you if you were
married. It will be your own fault, if you do not marry her. It is true. I
replied, I have had a passion for her from the first moment that I cast my
eyes upon her; but I durst not aspire to the happiness of thinking my
attachment could meet her approbation. I am entirely hers, and shall not fail
to retain a grateful sense of your good offices in this affair.

I finished weighing the gold, and while I was putting it into the bag, the
eunuch turned to the lady, and told her I was satisfied; that being the word
they had agreed upon between themselves. Presently after, the lady rose and
took her leave; telling me she would send her eunuch to me, and that I had
only to obey the directions he might give me in her name.

I carried each of the merchants their money, and waited some days with
impatience for the eunuch. At last he came.

I received him very kindly, and inquired after his mistress’s health. You
are, said he, the happiest lover in the world; she is quite sick of love for
you, and is impatient to see you; and were she mistress of her own conduct,
would not fail to come to you herself, and willingly pass in your society all
the days of her life. Her noble mien and graceful carriage, I replied,
convinced me that she was a lady beyond the common rank. You have not
erred in your judgment on that head, said the eunuch: she is the favourite of
Zobeide, the caliph’s wife, who is the more affectionately attached to her
from having brought her up from her infancy, and intrusts her with all her
affairs. Having a wish to marry, she has declared to her mistress that she has
fixed her affections upon you, and has desired her consent.

Zobeide told her, she would not withhold her consent; but that she would
see you first, in order to judge if she had made a good choice; in which case
she meant herself to defray the expenses of the wedding. Thus you see your
felicity is certain; since you have pleased the favourite, you will be equally
agreeable to the mistress, who seeks only to oblige her, and would by no
means thwart her inclination. All you have to do is to come to the palace. I
am sent hither to invite you as soon as you determine to go.

My resolution is already formed, said I, and I am ready to follow you

whithersoever you please to conduct me.

Very well, said the eunuch; but you know men are not allowed to enter
the ladies’ apartments in the palace, and you must be introduced with great
secrecy. The favourite lady has contrived the matter well. On your side you
must act your part discreetly; for if you do not, your life is at stake.

I gave him repeated assurances punctually to perform whatever he might

require. Then, said he, in the evening, you must be at the mosque built by
the caliph’s lady on the bank of the Tigris, and wait there till somebody
comes to conduct you. To this I agreed; and after passing the day in great
impatience, went in the evening to the prayer that is said an hour and a half
after sunset in the mosque, and remained there after all the people had
departed.

Soon after I saw a boat making up to the mosque, the rowers of which
were all eunuchs, who came on shore and put several large trunks into the
mosque, and then retired; only one of them staid behind, whom I perceived
to be the same eunuch that had all along accompanied the lady, and had
been with me that morning. I saw the lady also enter the mosque; and
making up to her, told her I was ready to obey her orders. We have no time
to lose, said she; and opening one of the trunks, bid me get into it, that
being necessary both for your safety and mine. Fear nothing, added she;
leave the management of all to me. I considered with myself, I had gone too
far to recede, and so obeyed her orders; and she immediately locked the
trunk. This done, the eunuch her confidant called the other eunuchs who
had brought in the trunks, and ordered them to carry them on board again.
The lady and eunuch re-embarked, and the boatmen rowed to Zobeide’s
apartment.

In the mean time I reflected very seriously upon the danger to which I had
exposed myself, and made vows and prayers, though it was then too late.

The boat stopped at the palace gate, and the trunks were carried into the
apartment of the officer of the eunuchs, who keeps the key of the ladies
apartments, and suffers nothing to enter without a narrow inspection. The
officer was then in bed, and there was a necessity of calling him up.

The officer of the eunuchs was angry that they should break his rest, and
chid the favourite lady severely for coming home so late. You shall not
come off so easily as you think for, said he: not one of these trunks shall
pass till I have opened them every one. At the same time he commanded the
eunuch to bring them before him, and open them one by one. The first they
began with was that wherein I lay, which put me into inexpressible fear.

The favourite lady, who had the key of that trunk, protested it should not
be opened. You know very well, said she, I bring nothing hither but what is
for the use of Zobeide, your mistress and mine. This trunk, continued she, is
filled with rich goods that I had from some merchants lately arrived, besides
a number of bottles of Zemzem water sent from Mecca; [71] and if any of
these should happen to break, the goods will be spoiled, and then you must
answer for them; depend on it, Zobeide will resent your insolence. She
insisted upon this in so peremptory terms, that the officer did not dare to
take upon him to open any of the trunks. Let them go, said he angrily; you
may carry them off. Upon that the women’s apartment was opened, and all
the trunks were carried in.
 They were scarcely got in, when all on a sudden I heard the people cry,
Here is the caliph! here comes the caliph! This put me in such a fright, that I
wonder I did not die upon the spot, for it really was the caliph. What hast
thou got in these trunks? said he to the favourite. —Some stuffs, said she,
lately arrived, which your majesty’s lady had a mind to see. —Open them,
cried he, and let me see them. She pretended to excuse herself, alleging the
stuffs were only proper for ladies, and that by opening them his lady would
be deprived of the pleasure of seeing them first. I say, open them, cried the
caliph; I have a mind to see them, and I will see them. She still represented
that her mistress would be angry with her if she opened them. No, no, said
he; I will engage she shall not say a word to you for so doing: come, come,
open them, and do not keep me waiting here.

There was a necessity of obeying, which gave me such alarm, that I

tremble every time I think on it. The caliph sat down; and the favourite
ordered all the trunks to be brought before him one after another. Then she
opened them; and to lengthen out the time, showed all the beauties of each
particular stuff, thinking thereby to tire out his patience; but her stratagem
did not succeed. Being as unwilling as myself to have the trunk where I lay
opened, she left that to the last. So when all the rest were viewed, Come,
said the caliph, make an end; let us see what is in that. I am at a loss to tell
you whether I was dead or alive that moment; for I little thought of
escaping so great a danger.

When Zobeide’s favourite saw that the caliph would needs have the trunk
open where I lay, As for this trunk, said she, your majesty will please to
dispense with the opening of it: there are some things in it which I cannot
show you without your lady be by. Well, well, said the caliph, since it is so,
I am satisfied; order the trunks to be carried away. The word was no sooner
spoken than the trunks were moved into her chamber, where I began to
revive again.

As soon as the eunuchs who had brought them were gone, she presently
opened the trunk where I was prisoner. Come out, said she, go up these
stairs that lead to an upper room, and stay there till I come. The door which
led to the stairs she locked after I was in; and that was no sooner done, than
the caliph came and sat down on the very trunk where I had been confined.
The occasion of this visit was a motive of curiosity that did not respect me.
He had a mind to question the lady about what she had seen or heard in the
city. So they discoursed together some while, and then he left her and
retired to his apartment.

When she found the coast clear, she came to the chamber where I was,
and made many apologies for the alarms she had given me. My uneasiness,
said she, was no less than yours; you cannot well doubt of that, since I have
run the same risk out of love to you: perhaps, another person in my situation
would not have had the presence of mind to manage matters so dexterously
upon so delicate an occasion, where so much courage and presence of mind
were requisite; nothing less than the love I had for you could have inspired
me with courage to do it. But come, take heart, now the danger is over.
After much tender discourse between us, she told me it was time to go to
rest, and that she would not fail to introduce me to Zobeide, her mistress,
some hour to morrow, which will be very easy; For the caliph never sees
her, added she, but at night. Encouraged by these words, I slept very well;
or if my sleep was interrupted it was by agreeable disquietudes, caused by
the hopes of enjoying a lady, blest with so much wit and beauty.
 The next day, before I was introduced to Zobeide, her favourite instructed
me how to behave, mentioning what questions she would put to me, and
dictating the answers I was to give. This done, she carried me into a very
magnificent and richly furnished hall. I was no sooner entered, than twenty
women slaves, advanced in age, dressed in rich and uniform habits, came
out of Zobeide’s apartment, and placed themselves very modestly before the
throne in two equal rows; they were followed by twenty other younger
ladies clothed after the same manner, only their habits appeared somewhat
gayer. In the middle of these appeared Zobeide, with a majestic air, and so
laden with jewels that she could scarce walk. She went and sat down on the
throne, and the favourite lady, who had accompanied her, stood just by her
on her right hand; the other ladies, who were slaves, being placed at some
distance on each side of the throne.

As soon as the caliph’s lady was set down, the slaves that came in first
made a sign for me to approach. I advanced between the two rows they had
formed, and prostrated myself upon the carpet that was under the princess’s
feet. She ordered me to rise, and did me the honour to ask my name, my
family, and the state of my fortune; upon all which I gave her satisfactory
answers, as I perceived not only by her countenance, but by her words. I am
glad, said she, that my daughter, (so she used to call the favourite lady,) for
I look upon her as such, after the care I have taken of her education, I am
very glad she has made a choice that pleases me; I approve of it, and give
consent to your marriage. I will myself give orders for solemnizing it; but I
want to have my daughter stay ten days with me before the solemnity; and
in that time I will speak to the caliph, and obtain his consent: meanwhile, do
you stay here; you shall be taken care of.
 Pursuant to the caliph’s lady’s orders, I staid ten days in the women’s
apartments, and during that time was deprived of the pleasure of seeing the
favourite lady; but was so well used by her orders, that I had no reason to be
dissatisfied.

Zobeide told the caliph her resolution of marrying the favourite lady; and
the caliph leaving to her the liberty of doing upon that head what she
pleased, granted the favourite a considerable sum by way of settlement.
When the ten days were expired, Zobeide ordered the contract of marriage
to be drawn up and brought to her, and the necessary preparations being
mane for the solemnity, the musicians and the dancers (both men and
women) were called in, and there were great rejoicings in the palace for
nine days. The tenth day being appointed for the last ceremony of the
marriage, the favourite lady was conducted to a bath, and I to another. At
night, I sat down to table, and had all manner of dishes served up to me, and
among others, a ragout with garlic, such as you have now forced me to eat
of. This ragout I liked so well, that I scarce touched any of the other dishes;
but such was my unhappiness, that when I arose from the table, I only
wiped my hands, instead of washing them well; a piece of negligence I had
never been guilty of before.

Though it was then night, the whole apartment of the ladies was as light
as day, by means of many illuminations. Nothing was to be heard all over
the palace but musical instruments, dances, and acclamations of joy. My
bride and I were introduced into a great hall, where we were placed upon
two thrones. The women that attended her made her shift herself several
times, and painted her face with different sorts of colours, according to the
usual custom on wedding days; and every time she changed her habit they
showed her to me.

All these ceremonies being over, we were conducted to the nuptial room:
as soon as the company retired, I approached to embrace my wife; but
instead of returning my transports, she pushed me away, and cried out most
fearfully; upon which, all the ladies of the apartment came running into the
chamber to know what she cried for: and for my own part, I was so thunder-
struck, that I stood like a post, without the power of even asking what she
meant by it. Dear sister, said they to her, what has happened since we left
you so lately? Let us know, that we may try to relieve you. —Take, said
she, Take out of my sight that vile fellow. Why, madam? said I; wherein
have I deserved your displeasure? —You are a villain, said she, in a furious
passion, to eat garlic, and not wash your hands! Do you think I would suffer
such a filthy fellow to poison me? Down with him, down with him upon the
ground, continued she, addressing herself to the ladies, and bring me a good
bull’s pizzle. In short, I was thrown upon the ground, and while some held
my hands, and others my feet, my wife, who was presently furnished with a
weapon, laid on me as long as she could stand over me. Then she said to the
ladies, Take him, send him to the judge, and let the hand be cut off with
which he fed upon the garlic ragout.

Good God, cried I, must I be beat and bruised unmercifully, and to

complete my affliction, have my hand cut off, for eating of a ragout with
garlic, and forgetting to wash my hands? What proportion is there between
the punishment and the crime? Curse on the ragout, and on the cook that
dressed it, and on him that served it up.

All the ladies that were by, and had witnessed my receiving the thousand
strokes, took pity of me when they heard the cutting off of my hand spoken
of. Dear madam, dear sister, said they to the favourite lady, you carry your
resentment too far. We own he is a man quite ignorant of the world, of your
quality, and the respect due to you; but we beseech you to overlook and
pardon the fault he has committed. I have not received suitable satisfaction,
said she; I will teach him to know the world; I will make him bear sensible
marks of his impertinence, and be cautious hereafter how he tastes a garlic
ragout without washing his hands. Afterwards, they continued their
solicitations, and fell down at her feet, and kissing her fair hands, Good
madam, said they, in the name of God, moderate your wrath, and grant the
favour we request. She answered not a word, but got up, and after uttering a
thousand reproaches against me, walked out of the chamber, and all the
ladies followed her, leaving me in inconceivable affliction.

I continued there ten days, without seeing any body but an old woman
slave that brought me victuals. I asked her what was become of the
favourite lady. She is sick, said the old woman; she is sick of the poisoned
smell you infected her with. Why did you not take care to wash your hands
after eating of that cursed ragout? Is it possible, thought I to myself, that
these ladies can be so nice and so vindictive for so small a fault! I loved my
wife, notwithstanding all her cruelty, and could not help pitying her. One
day the old woman told me my spouse was recovered, and gone to bathe,
and would come to see me the next day. So, said she, I would have you call
up your patience, and endeavour to accommodate yourself to her humour:
for she is otherwise a woman of good sense and discretion, and beloved by
all the ladies about the court of Zobeide, our respectable mistress.

In effect, my wife came next night, and accosted me thus: You see I am
too good in seeing you again after the affront you have offered me; but still
I cannot be reconciled to you till I have punished you according to your
demerit, in not washing your hands after eating the garlic ragout. This said,
she called the ladies, who, by her order, threw me upon the ground; and
after binding me fast, she had the barbarity to cut off my thumbs and great
toes herself with a razor. One of the ladies applied a certain root to stanch
the blood; but by bleeding and by the pain, I swooned away.

When I came to myself, they gave me wine to drink, to recruit my

strength. Ah! madam, said I to my wife, if ever I eat of a garlic ragout
again, I solemnly swear to wash my hands a hundred and twenty times with
the herb alkali, with the ashes of the same plant, and with soap. Well,
replied my wife, upon that condition I am willing to forget what is past, and
live with you as my husband.

This, continued the Bagdad merchant, addressing himself to the company,

this is the reason why I refused to eat of the garlic ragout that is now upon
the table.

The ladies applied to my wounds not only the root I mentioned to you,
but likewise some balsam of Mecca, which they were well assured was not
adulterated, because they had it out of the caliph’s own dispensatory. By
virtue of that admirable balsam was I perfectly cured in a few days, and my
wife and I lived together as agreeably as if I had never eat of the garlic
ragout. But having been all my lifetime used to enjoy my liberty, I grew
weary of being confined to the caliph’s palace; yet I said nothing of it to my
wife, for fear of displeasing her. However, she suspected it, and wanted
nothing more herself than to get out; for it was gratitude alone that made
her continue with Zobeide. Being a very witty woman, she represented in
such lively terms to her mistress the constraint I was under, in not living in
the city with people of my own rank, as I had always done, that the good
princess chose rather to deprive herself of the pleasure of having her
favourite about her, than not to grant what we both equally desired.

A month after our marriage, my wife came into the room with several
eunuchs, carrying each a bag of silver. When the eunuchs were gone, You
never told me, said she, that you were uneasy in being confined to court;
but I perceived it, and have happily found means to make you contented.
My mistress, Zobeide, gives us leave to go out of the palace, and here are
fifty thousand sequins of which she has made us a present, in order to
enable us to live comfortably in the city. Take ten thousand of them, and go
and buy us a house.

I quickly found a house for the money, and after furnishing it richly, we
went and lived in it; and kept a great many slaves of both sexes, and made a
good figure. In short, we began to live a very agreeable life, but it did not
last long. At a year’s end, my wife fell sick and died.

I might have married again, and lived honourably at Bagdad; but curiosity
to see the world put me upon another course. I sold my house, and after
purchasing several sorts of goods, I went with a caravan to Persia; from
Persia, I travelled to Samarcande, and from thence hither.

This, said the purveyor to the sultan of Casgar, this is the story that the
Bagdad merchant told in company where I was yesterday. This story, said
the sultan, has something in it extraordinary; but it does not come near that
of my little Hunchback. Then the Jewish physician prostrated himself
before the sultan’s throne, and rising again, addressed himself to that prince
in the following manner: Sir, if you will be so good as to hear me, I flatter
myself you will be pleased with a story I have to tell you. Well spoken, said
the sultan; but if it is not more surprising than that of little Hunch-back, you
must not expect to live.

The Story told by the Jewish Physician.

 Sir, when I was studying physic at Damascus, and was just beginning to
practise that noble profession with some reputation, a man slave called me
to see a patient in the governor of the city’s family. Accordingly, I went, and
was conducted into a room, where I found a very handsome young man,
much dejected by his disorder: I saluted him, and sat down by him; but he
made no return to my compliments, only a sign with his eyes that he heard
me, and thanked me. Pray, sir, said I, give me your hand, that I may feel
your pulse. But instead of stretching out his right, he gave me his left hand,
at which I was extremely surprised. This, said I to myself, is a gross piece
of ignorance, that he does not know that people present their right hand, and
not their left, to a physician. However, I felt his pulse, wrote him a
prescription, and took my leave.

I continued my visits for nine days, and every time I felt his pulse, he still
gave me his left hand. On the tenth day he seemed to be pretty well, and so
I prescribed nothing for him but bathing. The governor of Damascus, who
was by, in testimony of his being well satisfied with my service, invested
me with a rich robe, saying he made me a physician of the city hospital, and
physician in ordinary to his house, where I might freely eat at his table
when I pleased.

The young man likewise showed me many civilities, and asked me to

accompany him to the bath. Accordingly, we went together, and when his
attendants had undressed him, I perceived he wanted the right hand, and
that it had not long been cut off, which had been the occasion of his
disorder, though concealed from me; for while the people about him were
applying proper medicines externally, they had called me to prevent the ill
consequence of the fever which was on him. I was very much surprised and
concerned on seeing his misfortune, which he observed by my countenance.
Doctor, cried he, do not be astonished to see that my hand is cut off; some
day or other, I will tell you the occasion of it; and in that relation you will
be entertained with very surprising adventures.

After we had done bathing, we sat down to table; and after some other
discourse together, he asked me if it would be any prejudice to his health if
he went and took a walk out of town in the governor’s garden? I made
answer, so far from it, that the air would benefit his health. Since it is so,
said he, if you will give me your company, I will tell you the history of my
adventures. I replied, I was at his command for all that day. Upon which he
presently called his servants to bring something for a collation, and we went
to the governor’s garden. There we took two or three turns, and then sat
down upon a carpet that his servants had spread under a tree, which gave a
very pleasant shade. After we were seated, the young man gave me his
history in the following terms:

I was born, said he, at Moussoul, of one of the most considerable families
in the city. My father was the eldest of ten brothers, who were all alive and
married when my grandfather died. All the brothers were childless, but my
father; and he has no child but me. He took particular care of my education,
and made me learn every thing proper for a child of my rank.

When I was grown up, and began to keep company with the world, I
happened one Friday to be at noon-prayers with my father and my uncles in
the great mosque of Moussoul. And after prayers were over, the rest of the
company going away, my father and my uncles continued sitting upon the
best carpet in the mosque; and I sat down by them. They discoursed of
several things, but the conversation fell insensibly, I know not how, upon
the subject of voyages. They extolled the beauties and peculiar rarities of
some kingdoms, and of their principal cities. But one of my uncles said, that
according to the uniform report of an infinite number of voyagers, there was
not in the world a pleasanter country than Egypt and the Nile; and the
account he gave of them infused into me such a charming idea of them, that
from that very moment I had a desire to travel thither. Whatever my other
uncles said, by way of preference to Bagdad and the Tigris, in calling
Bagdad the true residence of the Mussulman religion, and the metropolis of
all the cities of the earth, made no impression upon me. My father joined in
opinion with those of his brothers who had spoken in favour of Egypt;
which filled me with joy. Say what you will, said he, the man that has not
seen Egypt, has not seen the greatest rarity in the world. All the land there is
golden; I mean, it is so fertile that it enriches its inhabitants. All the women
of that country charm you by their beauty and their agreeable carriage. If
you speak of the Nile, where is there a more wonderful river? What water
was ever lighter or more delicious? The very slime it carries along in its
overflowing fattens the fields, which produce a thousand times more than
other countries that are cultivated with the greatest labour. Observe what a
poet said of the Egyptians, when he was obliged to depart from Egypt: Your
Nile loads you with blessings every day; it is for you only that it runs from
such a distance. Alas! in removing from you, my tears will flow as
abundantly as its waters: you are to continue in the enjoyment of its
sweetnesses, while I am condemned to deprive myself of them against my
will.

If you look, added my father, towards the island that is formed by the two
greatest branches of the Nile, what variety of verdure! What enamel of all
sorts of flowers! What a prodigious number of cities, villages, canals, and a
thousand other agreeable objects! If you turn your eyes on the other side, up
towards Ethiopia, now many other subjects of admiration! I cannot compare
the verdure of so many plains, watered with the different canals of the
island, better than to brilliant emeralds set in silver. Is not Grand Cairo the
largest, the most populous, and the richest city in the universe? What a
number of magnificent edifices, both public and private! If you view the
pyramids, you will be filled with astonishment: you will stiffen at the sight
of these masses of stone of an enormous thickness, which rear their heads to
the skies! You will be obliged to confess, that the Pharaohs, who employed
such riches, and so many men in building them, must have surpassed in
magnificence and invention all the monarchs that have appeared since, not
only in Egypt, but in all the world, for having left monuments so worthy of
their memory: monuments so ancient, that the learned cannot agree upon
the time of their erection; yet such as stand to this day, and will last to the
end of time. I pass over in silence the maritime cities of the kingdom of
Egypt, such as Damietta, Rosetta, Alexandria, where innumerable nations
come for various sorts of grain, cloth, and an infinite number of other things
calculated for the accommodation and delight of men, I speak of what I
know; for I spent there some years in my youth, which, as long as I live, I
shall always reckon the most agreeable part of my life.

My uncles had no answer to give my father, continued the young man of

Moussoul, and assented to all he had said of the Nile, of Cairo, and of the
whole kingdom of Egypt: my imagination was so full of it, that I had not a
wink of sleep that night. Soon after, my uncles declared how much they
were struck with my father’s discourse. They made a proposal to him, that
they should travel all together into Egypt. He accepted of the proposal; and
being rich merchants, they resolved to carry with them such goods as would
sell there. I found that they were making preparations for their departure;
and thereupon went to my father, and begged of him, with tears in my eyes,
that he would suffer me to go along with him, and allow me some stock of
goods to trade with on my own account. You are too young, said my father,
to travel into Egypt; the fatigue is too great for you; and besides, I am sure
you will come off a loser in your traffic. These words, however, did not cure
the eager desire I had to travel. I made use of my uncles’ interest with my
father, who at last granted me leave to go as far as Damascus, where they
were to leave me, till they travelled through Egypt. The city of Damascus,
said my father, may likewise glory in its beauties, and my son must be
content with leave to go so far. Though my curiosity to see Egypt was very
pressing, I considered he was my father, and submitted to his will.

I set out from Moussoul with him and my uncles. We travelled through
Mesopotamia, passed the Euphrates, and arrived at Aleppo, where we staid
some days. From thence we went to Damascus, the first sight of which
agreeably surprised me. We lodged all together in one khan; and I had the
view of a city that was large, populous, full of handsome people, and well
fortified. We employed some days in walking up and down the delicious
gardens that surrounded it; and we all agreed, that Damascus was justly said
to be seated in a paradise. At last my uncles thought of pursuing their
journey; but took care, before they went, to sell my goods so
advantageously for me, that I got five hundred per cent. This sale fetched
me so considerable a sum, that I was transported to see myself possessed of
it.

My father and my uncles left me in Damascus, and pursued their journey.

After their departure, I used great caution not to lay out my money idly. But
at the same time I took a stately house, all of marble, adorned with
paintings of gold, silver foliage, and a garden with fine water-works. I
furnished it, not so richly indeed as the magnificence of the place deserved,
but at least handsomely enough for a young man of my rank. It had
formerly belonged to one of the principal lords of the city, whose name was
Modoun Aldalraham; but then was the property of a rich jewel merchant, to
whom I paid for it only two sherifs [72] a month. I had a number of
domestics, and lived honourably; sometimes I gave entertainments to such
people as I had made an acquaintance with, and sometimes I went and was
treated by them. Thus did I spend my time at Damascus, waiting for my
father’s return; no passion disturbed my repose, and my only employment
was conversation with people of credit.

One day, as I sat taking the cool air at my gate, a very handsome well
dressed lady came to me, and asked me, if I did not sell stuffs? She no
sooner spoke the words than she went into my house.

When I saw that the lady was gone into the house, I rose, and having shut
the gate, conducted her into a hall, and prayed her to sit down. Madam, said
I, I have had stuffs that are fit to be shown to you, but I have them not now,
for which I am very sorry. She took off the veil that covered her face, and
discovered a beautiful person, which affected me with such emotions, as I
had never felt before. I have no occasion for stuffs, said she; I only come to
see you, and pass the evening with you, if you please: all I ask of you is a
light collation.

Transported with such good luck, I ordered the servants to bring us

several sorts of fruits, and some bottles of wine. They served us with
despatch, and we ate, drank and made merry till midnight. In short, I had
not before passed a night so agreeably as this. Next morning, I would have
put ten sherifs in the lady’s hands, but she drew back instantly. I am not
come to see you, said she, with an interested design; you affront me; far
from receiving money of you, I desire you to take money of me, or else I
will see you no more. In speaking this, she put her hand into her purse, took
out ten sherifs, and forced me to take them, saying, You may expect me
three days hence after sunset. Then she took leave of me, and I felt that
when she went she carried my heart along with her.

She did not fail to return at the appointed hour three days after, and I did
not fail to receive her with all the joy of a person who waited impatiently
for her arrival. The evening and the night we spent as before; and next day,
at parting, she promised to return the third day after. However, she did not
go without forcing me to take ten sherifs more.
 She returned a third time; and at that interview, when we were both warm
with wine, she spoke thus: My dear heart, what do you think of me? Am I
not handsome and agreeable? Madam, said I, I think this an unnecessary
question; all the expressions of love which I show you, ought to persuade
you that I love you; I am charmed to see you and possess you. You are my
queen, my sultaness; in you lies all the felicity of my life. Ah! replied she, I
am sure you would speak otherwise if you saw a certain lady of my
acquaintance, that is younger and handsomer than I. She is of such a
pleasant, lively temper, that she would make the most melancholy people
merry: I must bring her hither; I spoke of you to her, and from the account
which I have given of you, she is dying with desire to see you. She
entreated me to procure her that pleasure, but I did not dare to humour her
without speaking to you beforehand. Madam, said I, do what you please;
but whatever you may say of your friend, I defy all her charms to tear my
heart from you, to whom it is so inviolably attached that nothing can
disengage it. Be not too positive, said she, I now tell you I am about to put
your heart to a strange trial.

We staid together all night, and next morning, at parting, instead of ten
sherifs, she gave me fifteen, which I was forced to accept. Remember, said
she, that in two days’ time, you are to have a new guest; pray take care to
give her a good reception; we will come at the usual hour, after sunset. I
took care to have my hall in great order, and a handsome collation prepared
against they came.

I waited for the two ladies with impatience, and at last they arrived at the
beginning of the night. They both unveiled themselves, and as I had been
surprised with the beauty of the first, I had reason to be much more so when
I saw her friend. She had regular features, a complete person, and such
sparkling eyes, that I could hardly bear their splendour. I thanked her for the
honour she did me, and entreated her to excuse me if I did not give her the
reception she deserved. No compliments, said she; it should be my part to
make them to you, for allowing my friend to bring me hither. But since you
are pleased to suffer it, let us lay aside all ceremony, and think only of
amusing ourselves.
 I had given orders, as soon as the ladies arrived, to have the collation
served up, and we soon sat down to supper. I sat opposite to the strange
lady, and she never ceased looking upon me with a smile. I could not resist
her conquering eyes, and she possessed herself so powerfully of my heart,
that I could offer no opposition. But while she inspired me with a flame, she
caught the flame herself, and so far from showing any constraint in her
carriage, she held to me very lively language.

The other lady, who observed us, did nothing at first but laugh at us. I told
you, said she, addressing herself to me, you would find my friend full of
charms; and I perceive you have already violated the oath you made me of
being faithful to me. Madam, said I, laughing as well as she, you would
have reason to complain of me if I were wanting in civility to a lady whom
you brought hither, and who is a favourite with you; both of you might then
upbraid me, for not knowing how to do the honours of my house.

We continued to drink; but as the wine warmed us, the strange lady and I
ogled one another with so little reserve, that her friend grew jealous, and
quickly gave us a dismal proof of her jealousy. She rose from the table and
went out, saying she would be with us presently again; but a few moments
after, the lady that staid with me changed countenance, fell into violent
convulsions, and, in short, expired in my arms, while I was calling for
assistance to relieve her. I went out immediately, and asked for the other
lady, and my people told me, she had opened the street door, and was gone.
Then I suspected what was but too true, that she had been the cause of her
friend’s death. She had the dexterity and the malice to put some very strong
poison into the last glass, which she gave her with her own hand.

I was afflicted to the last degree with the accident. What shall I do?
thought I, what will become of me? I considered there was no time to lose,
and it being then moonlight, I made my servants quietly take up one of the
great pieces of marble with which the court of my house was paved; under
that I made them presently dig a hole, and there inter the corpse of the
young lady. After replacing the stone, I put on a travelling suit, and took
what money I had, and having locked up every thing, affixed my own seal
on the door of my house. This done, I went to see for the jewel merchant
my landlord; paid him what rent I owed, with a year’s rent in advance; and
giving him the key, prayed him to keep it for me. A very urgent affair, said
I, obliges me to be absent for some time; I am under the necessity of going
to find out my uncles at Cairo. I took my leave of him, immediately
mounted my horse, and set off with my attendants.

I had a good journey, and arrived at Cairo without any accident. There I
met with my uncles, who were very much surprised to see me. To excuse
myself, I pretended I was tired of staying for them; and hearing nothing of
them, was so uneasy, that I could not be satisfied without coming to Cairo.
They received me very kindly, and promised my father should not be angry
with me for leaving Damascus without his permission. I lodged in the same
khan with them, and saw all the curiosities of Cairo.

Having finished their traffic, they began to talk of returning to Moussoul,

and to make preparations for their departure; but I having a mind to see
something in Egypt that I had not yet seen, left my uncles, and went to
lodge in another quarter, at a distance from the khan, and did not appear any
more till they were gone. They sought for me all over the city; but not
finding me, they supposed remorse for having come to Egypt, without my
father’s consent, had put me on returning to Damascus, without saying any
thing to them. So they began their journey, expecting to find me at
Damascus, and there to take me up.

I continued at Cairo after their departure three years, more completely to

indulge my curiosity after all the wonders of Egypt. During that time, I took
care to send money to the jewel merchant, ordering him to keep my house
for me; for I designed to return to Damascus, and stay there some years
more. I had no adventure at Cairo worth relating; but, doubtless, you will be
very much surprised at that I met with after my return to Damascus.

Arriving at this city, I went to the jewel-merchant’s house, who received

me joyfully, and would needs go along with me to my house, to show me
that nobody had entered it while I was absent. The seal was still entire upon
the lock; and when I went in, I found every thing in the same order in which
I had left it.

In sweeping and cleaning out my hall where I had used to eat with the
ladies, one of my servants found a gold chain necklace, with ten very large
and very perfect pearls placed upon it at certain distances. He brought it to
me, and I knew it to be the same I had seen upon the lady’s neck that was
poisoned, and concluded it had broken off and fallen, when I did not
perceive it. I could not look upon it without shedding tears, when I called to
mind the lovely creature I had seen die in such a shocking manner. I wrapt
it up and put it in my bosom.

I passed some days to recover from the fatigues of my voyage; after

which, I began to visit my former acquaintance. I abandoned myself to all
manner of pleasure, and insensibly squandered away all my money. Being
thus reduced, instead of selling my furniture, I resolved to part with my
necklace; but I had so little skill in pearls, that I took my measures very ill,
as you shall hear.

I went to the bezestein, where I called a crier aside, and showing him the
necklace, told him I had a mind to sell it, and desired him to show it to the
principal jewellers. The crier was surprised to see such a trinket. What a
pretty thing it is! cried he, staring upon it a long while with admiration;
never did our merchants see any thing so rich. I am sure I shall oblige them
highly in showing it to them; and you need not doubt they will set a high
price upon it, in emulation of each other. He carried me to a shop, which
proved to be my landlord’s. Stay here, said the crier, I will return presently,
and bring you an answer.

While he was running about to show the necklace with much caution, I
sat with the jeweller, who was glad to see me, and we conversed on
different subjects. The crier returned, and calling me aside, instead of telling
me the necklace was valued at two thousand sherifs, he assured me nobody
would give me more than fifty. The reason is, added he, the pearls are false:
consider, see if you will part with it at that price. I took him at his word, and
wanting money, Go, said I, I take your word, and that of those who know
better than myself; deliver it to them, and bring me the money immediately.

The crier had been ordered to offer me fifty sherifs by one of the richest
jewellers in town, who had only made that offer to sound me, and try if I
was well acquainted with the value of the goods I exposed to sale. He had
no sooner received my answer than he carried the crier to the judge, and
showing him the necklace, Sir, said he, here is a necklace that was stolen
from me, and the thief, under the character of a merchant, has had the
impudence to offer it for sale; and is at this minute in the bezestein. He is
willing to take fifty sherifs for a necklace that is worth two thousand, which
is a plain argument that it is stolen.

The judge sent immediately to seize me; and when I came before him, he
asked me, if the necklace he had in his hand was not the same that I had
exposed to sale in the bezestein. I told him it was. Is it true, said he, that you
are willing to deliver it for fifty sherifs? I answered I was. Well, said he, in a
scoffing way to me, give him the bastinado; he will quickly tell us, with all
his fine merchant’s clothes, that he is only a downright thief; let him be beat
till he confesses. The violence of the blows made me tell a lie: I confessed,
though it was not true, that I had stolen the necklace: and presently the
judge ordered my hand to be cut off.

This made a great noise in the bezestein; and I was scarce returned to my
house when my landlord came. My son, said he, you seem to be a young
man well educated, and of good sense; how is it possible you could be
guilty of such an unworthy action as that I hear talk of? You gave me an
account of your property yourself, and I do not doubt but the account is just.
Why did not you ask money of me, and I would have lent it you? However,
after what has happened, I cannot allow you to lodge longer in my house;
you must go and seek for other lodgings. I was extremely troubled at this;
and entreated the jeweller, with tears in my eyes, to let me stay three days
longer in his house, which he granted.

Alas! said I to myself, this misfortune and affront is unsufferable: how

shall I dare to return to Moussoul? Nothing I can say to my father will
persuade him that I am innocent.

Three hours after this fatal accident my house was assaulted by the
judge’s officers, accompanied with my landlord, and the merchant that had
falsely accused me of having stolen the necklace. I asked them what
brought them there. But instead of giving me any answer, they bound and
gagged me, calling me a thousand rogues, and telling me, the necklace
belonged to the governor of Damascus, who had lost it above three years
ago, and that one of his daughters had not been heard of since that time.
Judge my sensations when I heard this news. However, I summoned all my