do not know that the Canada thistle could be made to serve a
good purpose here, but I suspect it might. Let the plains be well
covered by some such deep-rooting, drouth-defying plant, and the most of
their soil would be gradually arrested, the quality of that which
remains, meliorated, and other plants encouraged and enabled to attain
maturity under its protection. Shrubs would follow, then trees; until
the region would become once more, as I doubt not it already has been,
hospitable and inviting to man. At present, I can only commend it as
very healthful, with a cooling, non-putrefying atmosphere; and, while I
advise no man to take lodgings under the open sky, still, I say that if
one must sleep with the blue arch for his counterpane and the stars for
its embellishments, I know no other region where an out-door roll in a
Mackinaw blanket for a night's rest is less perilous or more
comfortable.

* * * * *

SEVEN DEVILS:

A REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

Once upon a time--see the Arabian Nights Entertainments--as the Caliph
Haroun Alraschid--blessed be his memory!--walked, disguised, as was his
wont, through the streets of Bagdad, he observed a young man lashing
furiously a beautiful, snow-white mare to the very verge of cruelty.
Coming every day to the same place, and finding the spectacle repeated,
the curiosity of the humane Caliph, was excited to learn the cause of
such treatment. Mr. Rarey had not yet been born; but the Arab knows, and
always has known, how to subdue and to control his steed with equal
skill, without resort to severity. The explanation of this afterwards
appears in that wonderful book.

One Sidi Norman having married, as the custom was, without ever having
seen his bride, was agreeably surprised, when the veil was removed, at
finding her dazzlingly beautiful. He enfolded her in his arms with joy
unspeakable, and so the honeymoon began. Short dream of bliss; she
became capricious at once, and seven devils at least seemed to have
nestled in her lovely bosom. Sid was touchy himself, and not the man to
bear with such humors. Every day she sat at his bountiful board, and,
instead of partaking the food which he set before her, she would
daintily and mincingly pick out a few grains of rice with the point of a
bodkin. Sid asked her what she meant by such conduct, and whether his
table was not well supplied. To this she deigned no reply. When she ate
no rice, she w