FALSE RICHES. : 101 
were made of amethysts, sapphires, and rubies, to 
express the different degress of ripeness. Every 
year the possessor of these riches was weighed ; 
the weights were little golden fruits, which he 
threw amongst his courtiers after the ceremony, 
These courtiers, who were the greatest lords in 
India, scrambled for their possession. 
So false riches are the only things which 
surprise and charm the vulgar ; they are equally 
degrading to him who possesses them and to 
him who desires their possession. 
Beautiful gardens of Alcinous! You con- 
tain neither palms nor vines, nor harvests of 
gold and diamonds, yet all the treasures of the 
great Mogul would not be able to purchase one 
of those beautiful trees, which the divine Homer 
has covered with eternal flowers and fruits. 
It is related that Pythias, a rich Lydian, 
possessing many mines of gold, neglected the 
culture of his land, and employed his numerous 
slaves only in the labours of the mines. His 
wife, who was full of wisdom and goodness, 
served him a supper, all the dishes of which 
were filled with gold. “TI give you,” said she, 
“the only thing we have in abundance; you 
can but reap that which you sow; see, your- 
self, if gold is so great a blessing.” This lesson 
made a deep impression on the mind of Pythias, 
who then acknowledged that Providence had 
not abandoned true riches to the avarice of men; 
but that, like a tender mother, she had reserved 


