he played such ravishing and tender melodies, that all the court were
melted into tears. He then changed his theme, and played airs so
sprightly, that he set the grave philosophers, Sultan and all, dancing
as fast as their legs could carry them. He then sobered them again by
a mournful strain, and made them sob and sigh as if broken-hearted.
The Sultan, highly delighted with his powers, entreated him to stay,
offering him every inducement that wealth, power, and dignity could
supply; but the alchymist resolutely refused, it being decreed, he
said, that he should never repose till he had discovered the
philosopher's stone. He set out accordingly the same evening, and was
murdered by some thieves in the deserts of Syria. His biographers give
no further particulars of his life beyond mentioning, that he wrote
several valuable treatises on his art, all of which, however, have
been lost. His death happened in the year 954.

AVICENNA.

Avicenna, whose real name was Ebn Cinna, another great alchymist,
was born at Bokhara, in 980. His reputation as a physician and a man
skilled in all sciences was so great, that the Sultan Magdal Douleth
resolved to try his powers in the great science of government. He was
accordingly made Grand Vizier of that Prince, and ruled the state with
some advantage: but, in a science still more difficult, he failed
completely. He could not rule his own passions, but gave himself up to
wine and women, and led a life of shameless debauchery. Amid the
multifarious pursuits of business and pleasure, he nevertheless found
time to write seven treatises upon the philosopher's stone, which
were for many ages looked upon as of great value by pretenders to the
art. It is rare that an eminent physician, as Avicenna appears to have
been, abandons himself to sensual gratification; but so completely did