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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 777, 24 September 1853, Page 3

A Letter from a Turkish Gentleman.—ln Layard's new book we find the following characteristic epistle :—" My illustrious Friend, and Joy of my Liver, —The thing you ask of me is both difficult and useless. Although I have passed all my days in this place, 1 have neither counted the houses nor have I inquired into the number of the inhabitants; and as to what one person loads on hw mules and the other stews away in the bottom of his ship, that is no business of mine. But above all, as to the previous history of this city, God o.ily knows the amount of dirt and confusion, that the infidels may have eaten before the coining of the sword of Islam. It weie impossible for us to inquire into it. Oh, my soul! oh, my lamb ! seek not afer the things which concern thee not. Thou earnest unto us, and we welcomed thee ; go in peace. Of a truth, thou hast spoken many words, and there is no harm done, for the speaker is one and the listener is another. After the fashion of thy people, thou hast wandered from one place to another until thou art hj lppy and content in none. We (praise be to God) were born here, and never desire to quit it. Is it possible, then, that the idea of a general intercourse between mankind, shoul 1 make any impressions on our understandings J God forbid. Listen, oh my soul There is no wisdom equal unto the belief in God. He created the world ; and shall we liken ourselves unto him, in seeking to penetrate into the mysteries of his creation ? Shall we say behold this star spinneth round that star, and this other star with a tail goeth and cometh in so many years ? Let it go. He from whose hand it came will guide and direct it. But thou wilt say unto me, i Stand aside oh man, for I am more learned than thou art and have eeen more things.' If thou thinkest't'hat thou art in this respect better tlu.n I am thou art welcome. I praise God that I st't'k not that which I require not. Thou art learned in the things I care not for; and as for that which thou hast s_>en Idt file it. Will much knowledge create thee a double belly, or wilt thou seek Furadige with thine eves! Oh, my friend, if thou wilt be happy, sav, ' There is no God but God.' Do no evil; ami thus wilt thou fear neither maw nor death, for surely thine hour will come.—The meek in spirit (El Fakir,) Imavm Ali Za«..