Leaving the contents to speak for themselves, I shall only say farther that my object has been to bring together, in a handy volume, a series of essays which might prove acceptable to many readers, whether of grave or lively temperament. What are called "instructive" books--meaning thereby "morally" instructive--are generally as dull reading as is proverbially a book containing nothing but jests--good, bad, and indifferent. We can't (and we shouldn't) be always in the "serious" mood, nor can we be for ever on the grin; and it seems to me that a mental dietary, by turns, of what is wise and of what is witty should be most wholesome. But, of the two, I confess I prefer to take the former, even as one ought to take solid food, in great moderation; and, after all, it is surely better to laugh than to mope or weep, in spite of what has been said of "the loud laugh that speaks the vacant mind." Most of us, in this work-a-day world, find no small benefit from allowing our minds to lie fallow at certain times, as farmers do with their fields. In the following pages, however, I believe wisdom and wit, the didactic and the diverting, will be found in tolerably fair proportions. But I had forgot--I am not writing a Preface, and this is already too long for a Dedication; so believe me, with all good wishes, Yours ever faithfully, W. A. CLOUSTON. GLASGOW, February, 1890. CONTENTS. FLOWERS FROM A PERSIAN GARDEN. I Sketch of the Life of the Persian Poet Saadi--Character of his Writings--the _Gulistan_, or Rose-Garden--Prefaces to Books--Preface to the _Gulistan_--Eastern Poets in praise of Springtide II Boy's Archery Feat--Advantages of Abstinence--Nushirvan on Oppression--Boy in terror at Sea--Pride of Ancestry--Misfortunes of Friends--Fortitude and Liberality--Prodigality--Stupid Youth--Advantages of Education--The Fair Cup-bearer--'January and May'--Why an Old Man did not Marry--The Dervish who became King--Muezzin and Preacher who had bad voices--Witty Slave--Witty Kazi--Astrologer and his Faithless Wife--Objectionable Neighbour III On Taciturnity: Parallels from Caxton's _Dictes_ and preface to _Kalila wa Dimna_--Difference between Devotee and Learned Man--To get rid of Troublesome Visitors--Fable of the Nightingale and the Ant--Aphorisms of Saadi--Conclusion ORIENTAL WIT AND HUMOUR. I Man a Laughing Animal--Antiquity of Popular Jests--'Night and Day'--The Plain-featured Bride--The House of Condolence--The Blind Man's Wife--Two Witty Persian Ladies--Woman's Counsel--The Turkish Jester: in the Pulpit; the Cauldron; the Beggar; the Drunken Governor; the Robber; the Hot Broth--Muslim Preachers and Misers