who was employed and favoured by the sultan, to the great astonishment of
many of my prejudiced countrymen. On the grand seignior's birthday he
exhibited some extraordinarily fine fireworks; and I, with numbers of the
inhabitants of Constantinople, crowded to see them. I happened to stand
near the place where the Frenchman was stationed; the crowd pressed upon
him, and I amongst the rest; he begged we would, for our own sakes, keep
at a greater distance, and warned us that we might be much hurt by the
combustibles which he was using. I, relying upon my mood fortune,
disregarded all these cautions; and the consequence was that, as I
touched some of the materials prepared for the fireworks, they exploded,
dashed me upon the ground with great violence, and I was terribly burnt.

"This accident, gentlemen, I consider as one of the most fortunate
circumstances of my life; for it checked and corrected the presumption of
my temper. During the time I was confined to my bed the French gentleman
came frequently to see me. He was a very sensible man; and the
conversations he had with me enlarged my mind and cured me of many
foolish prejudices, especially of that which I had been taught to
entertain concerning the predominance of what is called luck or fortune
in human affairs. 'Though you are called Saladin the Lucky,' said he,
'you find that your neglect of prudence has nearly brought you to the
grave even in the bloom of youth. Take my advice, and henceforward trust
more to prudence than to fortune. Let the multitude, if they will, call
you Saladin the Lucky; but call yourself, and make yourself, Saladin the
Prudent.'

"These words left an indelible impression on my mind, and gave a new turn
to my thoughts and character. My brother, Murad, his doubtless told you
our difference of opinion on the subject of predestination produced
between us frequent arguments; but we could never convince one another,