incess's apartment, was
soon opened, and Aladdin was conducted up into the chamber. It is
impossible to express the joy of both at seeing each other, after so
cruel a separation. After embracing and shedding tears of joy, they
sat down, and Aladdin said, "I beg of you, princess, to tell me what
is become of an old lamp which stood upon a shelf in my robing
chamber."

"Alas!" answered the princess, "I was afraid our misfortune might be
owing to that lamp; and what grieves me most is that I have been the
cause of it. I was foolish enough to exchange the old lamp for a new
one, and the next morning I found myself in this unknown country,
which I am told is Africa."

"Princess," said Aladdin, interrupting her, "you have explained all
by telling me we are in Africa. I desire you only to tell me if you
know where the old lamp now is."

"The African magician carries it carefully wrapped up in his bosom,"
said the princess; "and this I can assure you, because he pulled it
out before me, and showed it to me in triumph."

"Princess," said Aladdin, "I think I have found the means to deliver
you and to regain possession of the lamp, on which all my prosperity
depends. To execute this design, it is necessary for me to go to the
town. I shall return by noon, and will then tell you what must be done
by you to insure success. In the meantime, I shall disguise myself,
and I beg that the private door may be opened at the first knock."

When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked round him on all sides,
and perceiving a peasant going into the country, hastened after him.
When he had overtaken him, he made a proposal to him to change
clothes, which the man agreed to. When they had made the exchange, the
countryman went about his business, and Aladdin entered the
neighboring city. After traversing several streets, he came to that
part of the town where the merchants and artisans had their particular
streets according to their trades.[47] He went into that of the
druggists; and entering one of the largest and best furnished shops,
asked the druggist if he had a certain powder, which he named.

[Footnote 47: This location of persons of one trade in one part of a
town was once common in England. Hence the "Draper's Lane" and
"Butcher's Row," found in many of our large towns; and the "Old
Jewry," "Lombard Street," and "Cheapside," of London.]

The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to be very poor, told him
he had it, but that it