(_For the Mirror_.)


There was at Amadan, a celebrated academy, the first statute of which
was contained in these terms. "_The Academicians think much, write
little, and speak but as little as possible_." They were called "The
Silent Academy," and there was not a man of learning in all Persia but
was ambitious of being admitted of their number. Doctor Zeb, author of
an excellent little work, entitled "The Gag," understood in his
distant province that there was a vacant place in the Silent Academy.
He set out immediately, arrived at Amadan, and presenting himself at
the door of the hall, where the members were assembled, he desired the
doorkeeper to deliver to the president, a billet to this import,
"_Doctor Zeb humbly asks the vacant place_." The doorkeeper
immediately acquitted himself of his commission, but, alas! the doctor
and his billet were too late, the place had been already filled.

The whole academy were affected at this _contretems_; they had
received a little before, as member, a court wit, whose eloquence,
light and lively, was the admiration of the populace, and saw
themselves obliged to refuse Doctor Zeb, who was the very scourge of
chatterers, and with a head so well formed and furnished.

The president, whose place it was to announce to the doctor the
disagreeable news, knew not what to resolve on. After having thought a
little he filled a large cup with water, and that so very full, that
one drop more would have made it spill over. Then he made the sign
that they might introduce the candidate. He appeared with that modest
and simple air which always accompanies true merit. The president