and kindred. The tempest of disordered motion daily grows more subversive about us, and but little that is progressive toward the happy consummation is experienced by your brethren or mine.”
“I would hear, if you object not, some of the most recent events which have troubled our once peaceful paradise in the South. The years I have passed in Rudolph’s service have neither drawn me closer to him than at first, nor increased my taste for the position assigned to me. He is surrounded with men determined to accomplish in these countries the same task, even against those who profess the same faith as themselves, that they have thus far perfected in the happy homes of our fathers. A violent subversion of ancient and honored laws, the suppression of a reasonable and enlightened philosophy, and the overthrow of a Christian Kingdom are marked out by them. It is not the name of Christ that they revere, but their own sort of Christ, and one, as I am assured, very different from the real one.”
“Permit me to reply to your highness’ interrogation,” replied Solomon. “After King Mohammed Alahmar had consented to renounce the chiefs of what was denominated the rebellion, thirteen years ago, and had thus consigned many princes to exile, and after repeated promises given by the Christians, that the ancient liberty ot cult, of taxes and of customs should be re-established among the still numerous body of your countrymen and mine, the engagements thus made have been persistently and malignantly broken. Under solemn covenants the
