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like clear moonlight. The princess was seated on a throne of gold, over which was a pavilion decorated with drapery of silver gauze; garlands of roses, forming elegant festoons and crowns, were suspended over her head.

Arpalisa was clothed in magnificent robes adorned with precious stones. Her appearance was dazzling, and her beauty seemed to me regular and majestic though she was not very young, I admired her shape, her noble air, the surprising fairness of her complexion, and was charmed with her conversation.

The next day my admiration was more increased, when, by order of the princess, I was conducted into a gallery full of paintings, and informed they were all the performances of Arpalisa: they were on the most interesting subjects; temples to Friendship, sacrifices to Friendship, Friendship triumphing over Love, Time crowning and embellishing Friendship: or altars to Benevolence, Benevolence enlightened by Virtue, Compassion exciting Benevolence, &c. In fine, it was not possible to leave this gallery, without a full persuasion

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