This expedition of Qhadum-hassen-qhan’s having put it in the Navvab’s power to depart from Radj-mahl, he marched on to Azim-abad. But Ram-naráin, being by this time certain that the Navvab’s expedition was solely intended against him, he concluded with himself, that his own power and dominion could never subsist upon a solid foundation, unless he made an alliance with the English. He reposed no confidence on Mir-djaafer-qhan’s promises and actions; could not trust his word; and was still more mistrustful of his Ministers. With this view he gained Govinda-mul over to his side; that is, the very man who had orders to persuade him; and he sent him, as his own agent, to the English camp, with a commission to spare nothing that might procure him a letter, according to the wish of his heart, from Colonel Clive. After which, he assured him, he would soon come to terms with the Navvab. Govinda-mul waited on Mir-djaafer-qhan, and informed him, “that Ram-naráin would not come to pay him his respects, unless the English mediated some terms with His Highness, and pledged their good faith as guar­antees. That otherwise, God only knew what might happen!” On the Navvab’s answering, that he had no objections, Govinda-mul applied to the Moonshy, or Persian Secretary; and having gained him over to his party, he obtained from him such a minute of a letter, as he wanted, and brought it to the Navvab. But as the agent was apprised that Mir-djaafer-qhan could neither write nor read fluently, and that when once duly seasoned with his dose of bang,* he was incapable of attending to business, especially after his meal; so those two shrewed ones, who knew his character, made choice of that moment to present their letter. The old Navvab excused himself on his having a headache, and his not being able to read at present; but he added, however, that he would hear the purport. Such a purport, therefore, was mentioned to him, as differed widely from the real letter, but, however, suited his intention and mind; so that after having heard it, he ordered a letter to be drawn up accordingly, and shewn to Colonel Clive. Govinda-mul having carried his point, folded up the letter, and ran to the Colonel. This Commander took a copy of it, signed and sealed the original, and then returned it to the Navvab. It contained “an invitation to come over to the English camp, with assurances of his taking it upon himself to have him confirmed in his Government, and to see him secured in his life, property, and honour, without being liable to be called to any account whatever, for either the man­agement of the revenue, or any other matter.” Govinda-mul, furnished with such a piece, took his departure from thence, without returning to the Navvab’s camp; and spreading his wings full in the expanse of success, he arrived at Ram-naráin’s palace, where he shewed him the letter, and its minute. Such a sight could not but quiet that Governor’s mind; and as he had now carried his point, and was totally freed from his fears, he resolved to wait upon the Navvab; and having spied a favourable hour, he set out to shift his ground.*

As the Radja had had a particular regard for me, shewed a deal of fondness for my company, and did everything in his power to oblige me, I thought it incumbent upon my gratitude to conform myself to the complexion of the times; so far, at least, as to accompany him in his journey. I therefore repaired to the place which he had chosen for changing his ground, and for staying two days; and I put a piece of paper into his hands, the purport of which was, “that even men capable of nothing, happen sometimes to be good for something; and that, if he should think it proper, I would accompany him.” He wrote at the bottom of the paper these words: “I am now hastening out, uncertain myself of my own fate; but as I retain a grateful sense of your kind offer, I shall, on my return, remember of it, to see you oftener than ever, and to oblige you in every thing in my power; I think it an honour and a happiness to myself to distinguish a man of your merit.”* The next day Ram-naráin departed, and repaired directly to the English camp. On this proceeding, which did not please Govinda-mul, who was now become his confidant, he observed, that it was highly proper now to repair, also, to the Navvab’s camp, and to come to some concessions for his having visited Colonel Clive, first. Ram-naráin, who was a shrewd man, would not listen to the advice; but the Colonel gave him one of his Commanders, in whose com­pany he repaired to Mir-djaafer-qhan’s camp. A precaution so injurious, could not but highly displease the Navvab, and render both the agent and visitor extremely disagreeable. However, he for the present, repressed his resentment, and a few hours after, he sent him word to encamp at a spot he pointed out to him; and as the Governor was now sure of protection, he complied with the command, and marched two or three days with him, until they arrived at Djaafer-qhan’s garden, which is on the banks of the Ganga, close to the suburb of Azim-abad, where they encamped eastward of that city.

It was there that my three younger brothers, Naky-aaly-qhan, and Ghalib-aaly-qhan, and Séyd-aaly-qhan, were introduced to the Navvab, by his brother, Mir-cazem-qhan. As for my own part, I paid that Prince a visit under the mediation of the Paymaster, Mir-cazem-qhan; who generously remembered the rights of consanguinity, and never made use of the great credit which his many inportant services gave him, but for doing good and oblig­ing others. However, I must confess, that my heart had but very little share in that visit, as I was thoroughly acquainted with that Prince’s character, long before the revolution, that had brought him to the Mesned; and I had not the least inclination for his company; nor did I in the two or three months time, which he passed at Azim-abad, pay him more than two or three visits, and this too after he had reprimanded me for my neglect. The truth is, that on observing that his company was in general such as corresponded with his own profligate character, I had no inclination to mix with such people. It was not so with Mir-cazem-qhan, the Paymaster. I used to visit that amiable man often, and although I was then in circumstances distressed enough, I consoled myself, and kept up my spirits by a frequent repetition of these verses, which His Highness Sheh-mahmed-hazin (whom God may place amongst the highest in his paradise!) had often in his mouth:

“Bring to my ears concerts of music; and you waiter, give that remnant of

wine.”

“Let us kill time as we can, and bid defiance to Heaven.”

But as I have so often mentioned Mir-djaafer-qhan’s char­acter, it will not be improper to give some specimen of it, as he gave them himself at this very period of time. A strict friend­ship, and an intimate union had subsisted at all times between him and Mirza-shems-ed-din, a very sensible, very ingenious gentleman of M8rsh8d-abad. The latter had even lent him a sum of money, when the former was in disgrace with Seradj-ed-döulah, and in want of that timely assistance. So that now, that his friend had possession of all the treasures of that Prince, as well as of his extensive dominions, the Mirza very naturally expected mighty returns from the man’s gratitude, and from his sense of the important services he had rendered him, at so crit­ical a time. But he was mistaken in his reckoning, and he saw the very reverse of what he expected; he was seldom admitted to the Navvab’s company, that is, to that in which the latter unbent his mind, amongst a number of friends. Not that the old Navvab was estranged from him neither; only that he knew him for a diseur-de-bonmots, and a waggish jester that would spare no man; and he feared lest some severe jokes, upon the neglect of which he was the victim, might throw a slur upon the Prince’s importance and weight. One day, when the Mirza had found means to be one of the Navvab’s company, in his private apartments, the latter to prevent an attack which he dreaded, thought it best to soothe his resentment by some handsome excuses. “Mirza,” said the Navvab, “do not believe that I have forgotten the services you have rendered me, or that I do not mind you; you know that all the money which fell into my hands, has been employed in satisfying the English, and in promoting some concerns that admitted of no delay; but I can assure you that whenever I am eased of my engagements, and I find a proper opportunity, I shall not let it slip out of my hands, but will avail myself of it, to return you the services you have rendered me.” The Mirza, whose heart was alienated by some months’ attendance, answered: My Lord-Navvab, do not tell me so much of your distressed circumstances; for they affect the tender­ness of my heart, and will melt me to tears. But what can I do? Had not Seradj-ed-döula plundered my house on your account, and reduced me to poverty, I would assist you even now with some money, as I think it a happiness to serve you with all my power; no man in the world deserves so well, as you, every thing which friendship can perform. Here it must be observed, that Mir-djaafer-qhan, who was fond of jewels, and had chanced to enjoy them, but at the end of his life, when he got immense quantities of them at once, was actually loaded with those glittering things; and he actually wore six or seven brace­lets at his wrist, every one of a different species of gems; and he had also hanging from his neck, over his breast, three or four chapelets of pearls, every one of inestimable value. Such was his dress that day, and Shems-ed-din looking earnestly at it, said: My Lord-Navvab, the stones you wear at your arms, are of so inestimable a value, that they can be of no use to any one but yourself; but yet they must be pretty heavy, and could you but give me a slap in the face, with that hand of yours, so loaded, it would ease my heart of much of its grief. But the sarcasm he cracked on the Navvab on another occasion, proved much more severe. The Mirza having accompanied him to Azim-abad saw his character traduced by some jealous, who reported that some of his soldiers of his corps had quarreled with Colonel Clive’s people; and that there had happened a fray between them. It chanced that Shems-ed-din himself made his appearance at that very moment; it was in full Derbar, and in the hall of audience. The Navvab fixed his eyes upon him, and spoke a few words that seemed to border upon reprimand. “Sir,” said he, “your people have had a fray with the Colonel’s people. Is your honour to know, who is that Colonel Clive, and in what station Heaven has seated him?” My Lord-Navvab, answered the Mirza, in getting up instantly, and standing bolt-upright before him; Me, to quarrel with the Colonel! Me! who never get up every morning, without making three profound bows to his very jack ass? How then could I be daring enough after that, to fall out with the rider himself? After that small digression, for which we hope the readers’ connivance, it is proper to revert to the affairs of Azim-abad and to see how Ram-naráin availed himself of the letter, he had obtained at the expense of so much art, and so much good luck.