HOLY WELL, GLASTONBURY. In the latter part of April, 1825, some gentlemen engaged in searching after the hidden antiquities in the immediate neighbourhood of the remains of Glastonbury abbey discovered the celebrated Holy Well, which was once the cause of attracting great flocks of devotees and pilgrims to its hallowed walls. Directed in their search by the report of a flight of under-ground steps existing towards the north-eastern corner of St. Joseph's chapel, connected with the outside of the wall, and by the appearance of an arch nearly choked up, beneath the roofing line of the ancient crypt; the labourers sank a pit four yards square, to the depth of five or six feet, when their progress on the east side was suddenly arrested by a compact 'mass of stone work. On a further cautious removal of the earth, this was found to be the crown of a nearly perfect semicircular (or Anglo-Norman) arch, of the most beautiful and elaborate masonry. The labour of a few more hours detected a flight of winding steps, leading to this subterranean arched recess, uncovered a pavement at the depth of ten or twelve feet from the surface, and displayed a small well of a circular form overhung and protected by the costly arch that rose above it A hole in the stone-work of the well, near the surface, prevented it from being overflowed, by discharging the superfluous water into a channel of masonry, which runs in a northern direction under the pavement of the crypt of the chapel, and is supposed to empty itself into the great drain that surrounds the cathedral. No doubt can be entertained of the application of this secret chamber and sacred well to the purposes of miraculous cure; for, tradition speaks of the holy water, as well as the holy thorn of Joseph of Arimathea; but no visible evidence of its existence was known to remain, till the dsvelopement of the crypt in question. It has been concealed and unknown for ages; but we may easily imagine that, in the days of its celebrity, the concourse to it must have been immense. The profits derived to religious houses from the visits of devotees to these objects of senseless superstition, must have been considerable. THE Eastern Tales. (Continued from page 85.). HISTORY OF ABDAL MOTALLAB, THE SAGE. ' (Concluded.) I quitted him after this answer, and arrived at the veil which terminates the world, in which there was a gate. The angels who guarded it let me pass. The first inhabitant that I met there was a young man of the most dazzling beauty. I asked him who he was. He answered me, I am named Gabriel, and am the servant of God. Believe me, continued he, and return back again, for thou canst go no further. I shall not see Mahomet, then, cried I with sorrow, and I am for ever separated from Zesbet! I begged him to indicate to me the road I must follow. He pointed to it, and left me. I now went on for several days, when I perceived a very large bird upon a tree; his head was of gold, his eyes of sapphire, his beak of pearls, his body of rubies, and his feet of topaz. There was upon the top of this tree a table elegantly covered, and particularly with fish. I saluted the bird, who told me that he was one of the birds of Paradise, and had been sent upon earth with this table to keep Adam company. I demanded his permission to place myself at the table, and having obtained it, I ate of the meat, which was delicious. I enquired if he was always alone. He answered me, that Abouxlabas, one of the greatest prophets, came sometimes to pay him a visit. He had hardly ceased to speak, when the prophet appeared. He approached us, and hav ing heard my story, informed me that I had a journey of one hundred and fifty years to make, before I could reach this place again; however, he offered to conduct me.. I cannot retur said I to him, without having seen the prophet. After having read for some time in a small book which he took from his bosom, he said to me, O son of predestination, thou art to return to Mecca; I can conduct thee there in less than six days. The bird then said that he would conduct me there in one hour. I accepted his proposition. He ordered me to cover my eyes. But I was scarce mounted on his back, when he told me to take off the bandage; and with extreme surprise I found myself in this court. Inform us now of your adventures, said Zesbet, turning herself, to Yaarab, and he began in these terms: THE HISTORY OF YAARAB, THE JUDGE. In despair at being obliged to quit the fair Zesbet, and thinking only how I might find means to meet with Mahomet, I embarked on board a ship regardless of its destination. That very night a dreadful tempest sunk the ship, and I was the only person who escaped death, by the help of a plank upon which I had seized. I struggled against the waves for seven days, and on the eighth I was so happy as to reach an island. I climbed up a tree to rest myself tilll day. When day appeared, I came down from the tree, and travelled on till I arrived at a palace so excessively dazzling. that my eyes could not bear the lustre of it, Immediately there came a voice out of this magnificent palace, which said to me, O man of Medina, learn that this palace is the paradise destined for the faithful. Deserve by thy good works one day a habitation amongst us, and enjoy the happiness of having seen the gate of paradise. I went away, though with regret, from so beautiful a palace, and approached a large castle adorned with gold and precious stones. Curiosity engaged me to see the interior: every thing seemed to breathe pleasure and voluptuousousness. In the midst of a great saloon, was seated a beautiful woman, surrounded by a hundred slaves. She beckoned me to approach, and ordered me to sit down by her; she then made a sign to her slaves, and at that moment I heard a concert which charmed my soul. Immediately she presented to me a cup filled with exquisite wine. In fine, I was giving myself insensibly up to pleasure, when I remembered Zesbet. Penetrated with the favors that I had received from heaven, I could not prevent myself from returning thanks. The beautiful woman having surprised me in this action, she said to me, Thou wilt never be happy upon earth, and thou art not formed to reside amongst us, therefore I advise thee not to make a longer stay here. Thou wilt find at the gate a chariot drawn by a dragon, enter it without fear. I mounted this morning into the chariot, and the dragon took its flight with such rapidity, that without being able to distinguish any object, I found myself in a state of stupidity in this court. It is you, Temimdari, whom the lot has now ordained to speak, said Zesbet to him, when she saw that Yaarab ceased speaking; and Temimdari began thus: THE HISTORY OF TEMIMDARI, THE SOLDIER. It is now exactly two years, beautiful Zesbet, since I was espoused to you, and rebelled against the prophecies of the sage Oucha. I was surprised to hear thee say, Genies, carry him away. These words were no sooner finished, than there appeared a man, whose face was black, and his eyes red. This monster seized upon me, and carried me into an island inhabited by unbelieving genies. I made no long residence with them, for there arrived an army of faithful genies who attacked them. He who had seized upon me was killed in the battle, and the conquerors carried me off amongst those who were made slaves. At length, after eighteen moons, the king of the genies, whose slaves we were, resolved to take a review of his prisoners. As soon as he perceived me, he said to me, Thou art a man, what doest thou among these infidels? I related to him in what manner I had been seized, and how they had made me a slave. I am the most unfortunate of men, cried I, with an accent that seemed to move him. If I do not see the prophet, I must renounce the most perfect of women. From whence art thou? said he to me. My lord, I am of Mecca, replied I. Knowest thou that thy country is distant from hence a journey of seventy years? At this news I fainted away. When I had recovered my spirits, the tears burst from my eyes in such abundance, that the king said to me, Be not thus afflicted, take courage, Temimdari, I will have thee conducted this night to a sage, who may instruct thee better than I can. in the resolution which thou oughtest to take. He then summoned a genie, whose countenance was as black as pitch, and his hoarse voice resembled thun der. He prostrated himself before the king, who said to him, I promise thee thy liberty, if thou conveyest this man to the sage Touloukia. I engage myself, pursued he, to conduct him there in three hours. Then the king said to me, Go, search the means of finding her again whom thou hast so great a desire to see; there remains only for me to recommend thee to be careful of thyself. This genie is an infidel; I will teach thee a prayer which will subject him to thee, and oblige him to conduct thee without danger. But remember. that if thou art one moment without repeating it, he will let thee fall, and take his flight. I easily learned the prayer, it not being long. The genie took me upon his neck, and rose up into the air. He passed over seas, mountains, and plains, and I still repeated my prayer. The genie would, more than once, have cast me down, but the virtue of my prayer still preserved me from his evil intentions. In the mean time, the situation I was in fatigued and weakened me considerably; and ceasing to repeat my prayer, the genie shook me off, and took his flight. I fell, rolling over and over, sometimes my head and sometimes my feet foremost, for seven days; at the end of which a wind supported me, and let me gently down upon the shore. I travelled during four days and four nights, and at length arrived at a cavern which had threescore and ten gates. I pushed gently at one, and saw that the space which they enclosed was of prodigious extent; that it was filled with an infinite number of genies of different figures, and who were all chained and fet tered in the strongest irons. As I gazed I saw an an angel appear, who held a club of fire, I asked the angel in what place I was. He answered me, Thou art at the entrance of hell. Mahomet whom I seek, cannot be here, said I, going out; where may I find him? Be not discouraged, said he, continue thy journey. I followed his advice, and arrived in a desert, where I perceived a a castle four-square, which, from each And as I front, gave a great light. approached it, I discovered that the stones of which it was composed were gold and silver laid alternately. Afterwards I saw that these words were inscribed upon the gate': "There is but one God, Mahomet is his great friend, Adam is the pure and sincere creature of God." These words inspired me with much confidence, and I entered without hesitation into this castle. I lifted up a curtain of great magnificence, and saw a number of beautiful young men, who had unsheathed sabres hanging at their sides, I found still farther another curtain, which I also lifted up, and perceived a river flowing, whose water was sweeter than honey, cooler than ice, and whiter than milk. There were upen the banks of covered. I had no desire to leave a this river several tables elegantly place so full of delight; but a large green lion, who had the praises of God and of Mahomet written upon his sides, preparing to leap upon me, marle me take my flight, and leave this charming castle. After having gone some steps, I perceived a young man praying to God, whose habit was wholly green. l'approached him, and asked the name of the castle from which I came. This was his answer: Mahomet, in acknowledge. ment of the pains thou hast taken to seek him, has permitted thee to behold an image of that paradise which he des tines for those who shall perish in supporting and defending his faith. Whilst he spoke to me, I saw a white cloud appear above our heads; it was held up by angels. The young man saluted the angels, and inquired into what country they were going; they answered, We are going to that country where Mahomet is to be born. Then showing me to them, Look upon this young man, said he to them, and carry him where he is to be. At the same moment the angels let down the cloud to take me; and the cloud brought me into the court of this house in an instant. HISTORY OF ABOUTALER, THE DOCTOR OF THE LAW. Struck with what the beautiful Zesbet informed me of, and curious to instruct myself in all that could be known concerning Mahomet, 1 departed hence now one whole year since. It was in vain that I travelled through the greatest part of the Indies. At length I em. barked upon the main road of the ocean; and having no determined route, the vessel which was first ready to set sail was that which I preferred. After some months, it was shipwrecked, and I alone reached an island, which I found full of serpents. I perceived in the midst of them a small yellow serpent, of a glowing colour, and which one of the largest bore upon his back. He asked me who I was. I satisfied his curiosity, and desired him to instruct me how I could leave this island, which was subject to him. Immediately he called one of his largest serpents, and commanded him to carry me to the coast of the main land which was at no great distance. His orders were executed; and I returned to Assyria, and repaired to Babylon, to see a sagc there, named Uffan. I was scarcely entered into his house, when he said to me, Aboutaleb, thou seekest the holy prophet in vain. I do not believe thou canst ever enjoy the beautiful Zesbet, if thou dost not accept the proposal I have to make thee. I find by my books that thou knowest the island of serpents, where the serpent Temliha reigns. If thou wilt conduct me there, I will find means to render both of us rich and celebrated in the world, and to make us arrive at so venerable an old age, that we may see Mahomet long upon earth, and become his first disciples, and the most faithful observers of his law. I was charmed with the propositions of the sage Uffan, and accepted them with eagerness. Uffan took a bow and some arrows; he filled two small silver vases, one with wine and the other with milk, and placed them in an iron box which he took with him. We arrived without any obstacle in the island where the serpent kept his residence. The first care of Uffan was to put on shore the little iron chest, and to open it. We placed ourselves after wards in such a manner, that without being seen we could examine all that passed. The little serpent, drawn by the odour of the liquors, came eagerly to them, and soon drank them with avidity; but the wine having stupified him, he fell into the chest. Sleep immediately followed his debauch, when Uffan ran, without making the least noise, shut the chest, and took it up. We wandered through all the island to find a plant, which the sage Uffan sought for with assiduity, and which furnished so wonderful an oil, that by rubbing it upon the soles of the feet, a man might walk upon the waters without any risk. He gathered the oil into a bottle, which he had taken care to bring with him; and the little serpent being only of use to Uffan to make him find this marvellous plant, which is named Feéarz, as he informed me, he opened the chest, and restored him to liberty. Immediately he rose up into the air, saying, "Heaven knows how to punish the audacious," and immediately disappeared. I trembled. Thou oughtest to have no inquietude, said Uffan then to me; we have the most essential article for obtaining what I have promised thee; let us go directly to the sea shore, continued be. We rubbed the soles of our feet with the marvellous oil of Feéarz, and walked upon the waters, without so much as wetting our feet. After having gone a considerable way, we perceived a rock, whose summit was surrounded by a white cloud. When we were arrived there, Uffan marched directly to a cavern, the door of which was fastened with a lock of gold. He shot an arrow against this door, and it opened; he entered, and I followed him. We presently saw a magnificent throne, upon which a man of a venerable figure rested upon his back. He had on the little of his right hand a ring, which gave light to the whole hall. There was plainly to be read on this ring, "There is but one God, and Solomon is his prophet.” It is now, said Uffan, my dear brother, that I shall want thy service; if I succeed in my enterprise, we shall possess all that I promised thee, and thou shalt render Zesbet happy. 1 am going to approach this prince, continued he, to draw off the ring which he has upon his finger; but I know that a serpent will spring upon me that moment, and strike me dead. Take my bow and these three arrows, |