bbi Zimri.

'And very satisfactory,' remarked Alroy.

'These are high subjects,' continued Maimon, his blear eyes twinkling
with complacency. 'Your guest, Rabbi Zimri, must read the treatise of
the learned Shimei, of Damascus, on "Effecting Impossibilities."'

'That is a work!' exclaimed Zimri.

'I never slept for three nights after reading that work,' said Rabbi
Maimon. 'It contains twelve thousand five hundred and thirty-seven
quotations from the Pentateuch, and not a single original observation.'

'There were giants in those days,' said Rabbi Zimri; 'we are children
now.'

'The first chapter makes equal sense, read backward or forward,'
continued Rabbi Maimon. 'Ichabod!' exclaimed Rabbi Zimri. 'And the
initial letter of every section is a cabalistical type of a king of
Judah.'

'The temple will yet be built,' said Rabbi Zimri. 'Ay, ay! that is
learning!' exclaimed Rabbi Maimon; 'but what is the great treatise on
"Effecting Impossibilities" to that profound, admirable, and----'

'Holy Rabbi!' said a youthful reader of the synagogue, who now entered,
'the hour is at hand.'

'You don't say so! Learned Miamon, I must to the synagogue. I could sit
here all day listening to you. Come, David, the people await us.'

Zimri and Alroy quitted the house, and proceeded along the narrow hilly
streets to the chief temple of the Hebrews.

'It grieves the venerable Maimon much that he cannot join us,' said
Rabbi Zimri. 'You have doubtless heard of him at Bagdad; a most learned
doctor.' Alroy bowed in silence.

'He bears his years well. You would hardly believe that he was my
master.'

'I perceive that you inherit much of his erudition.'

'You are kind. If he have breathed one year, Rabbi Maimon will be a
hundred and ten next Passover.'

'I doubt it not.'

'When he is gathered to his fathers, a great light will be extinguished
in Israel. You wanted to know something about the Tombs of the Kings; I
told you he was your man. How full he was! His mind, sir, is an egg.'

'A somewhat ancient one. I fear his guidance will hardly bring me the
enviable fortune of King Pirgandicus.'

'Between ourselves, good David, talking of King Pirgandicus, I cannot
help fancying that the learned Maimon made a slight mistake. I hold
Pirgandicus was only a prince. It was after the Captivity, and I know no
authority for any of our rulers since the destruction assuming a higher
title. Clearly a prince, eh? But, though I would whisper it