re has awakened their curiosity, and
they have determined to take your internal structure into close
consideration. In fine, they intend to cut you up, in the hope of
finding some new phenomena in anatomy." I was thunder-struck at hearing
these tidings. I cried out indignantly:

"How can people be called honest, madam! who entertain strangers only to
cut them up?"

"You should stick your fingers in the ground," she replied, "and smell
the land you have got into!" I begged her with tears in my eyes to
intercede for me. She answered, "My intercession would be of no service
to you: but I will endeavor to save you by other means." She then took
my hand, carefully led me out by a back door, and guided me to the city
gate.

Here I would have taken leave of my kind and gentle guide; but while
manifesting my gratitude in the most lively expressions, she suddenly
interrupted my speech and signified her intention not to leave me till I
should be in perfect safety. She would not be persuaded to return. We
walked on together. Meanwhile she entertained me with just and sensible
remarks on the customs and follies of the people. Afterwards she turned
the discourse to more delicate matters. We were at some distance from
the city. My soft companion adverted to the danger from which she had
saved me, and suddenly demanded of me, in return, a politeness which was
morally impossible.

She told me with much feeling and warmth of the unfortunate fate of
females in this land:--that the philosophers, entirely absorbed by their
speculations, and buried among their books, neglect to an alarming
extent, the duties of marriage. "Yes," she continued, "I can swear to
you, that we should be wholly undone if some polite traveller did not
occasionally take pity on our miserable condition, and mitigate our
torments."

I pretended not to understand her meaning, and showed the usual
common-place and complacent sympathy.

But my coolness was as oil to the flame. I increased my pace. The poor
lady, whose heart had hitherto been subjected to the sweet-smiling
goddess, now changed to a fury.

I fled from my new danger. Fear and length of legs enabled me to
outstrip her. Mingled with her shrieks, opprobrious epithets fell fast;
the last I could distinguish were: _Kaki Spalaki_:--ungrateful hound!

I passed on to other provinces, in which I found but little uncommon and
peculiar.

I now thought that I had seen all the wonders of Nazar. But when I ca