Lord Clive being returned to Azim-abad, dismissed Mir-cazem-qhan from the government of that province, and appointed in his stead Rajah-Durdj-naráin, as sole Governor, with full power for loosing and binding every thing all over the country. Nevertheless, he assigned to Mir-cazem-qhan a yearly pension of one lac; and this nobleman went and took up his residence at Radj-mahal-ecber-nagar, where he had been born and bred, and where the easiness of his temper made him keep clear of all strife and contention, contenting himself with passing his days in quiet and affluence, by which he acquired the name of a good-natured man. But Durdj-naráin, as if in retribution for the ingratitude and underhand dealing with which he had used the poor man, his master and benefactor, was in a few days put to a deal of shame, and dismissed from his office with disgrace. Insomuch that this man who had been endeavouring to raise himself to the sole government of the province at the expense of his master, lost both his character and life, as we shall shortly mention in its proper place. Lord Clive after a few days’ stay at Azim-abad, repaired to Calcutta, where he settled to his own mind every part of the administration. He associated Mr. Sykes to himself in the business of regulating matters of revenue, for Changes and promotions throughout Bengal. which purpose he appointed him Chief of Moorshood-abad, whilst the late Djessaret-qhan was appointed to the government of the province of Dacca-djehan-ghir-nagar. But the country of Bardevan was taken out of the hands of the Hindians, and entrusted to the care of two or three trusty and approved English­men. Roh-eddin-hosséin-qhan, son to Séif-qhan, and grandson to Umdet-el-mulk-emir-qhan, Governor of Cab8l, was continued in his Government of P8raniah. He had chanced in a swift Morpanky* to overtake Lord Clive about Shah-abad and Páinty, whilst the latter was going up in the heighth of the rains; and he had rendered so satisfactory an account of his conduct, that he had been confirmed in his post, with orders to send the product of his government, which did not amount to more than six or seven lacs a year, to the Cachery or Exchequer of Moor­shood-abad, as it had been customary formerly. But such was this man’s ignorance of business, and his natural sloth; and such was his prepossession in favour of that ungrateful, faithless favourite of his, called Asker-aaly-qhan, who was son of his father’s Pir-zada or director, and whom he had entrusted with the management of all his concerns, small or great, public or private, that in two or three years’ time, he lost his office and appointment, as it shall be mentioned hereafter. As to the Djaghirs, Altum-gahs, Free-holds, and private possessions of several people, which had always been held free both by Aaly-verdy-qhan, and by his successors, who never made any objec­tions to their privileges, they were respected by the English, who following that example of lenity, left them unmolested; nor was any injury or chicane offered to a single man amongst the Lenity and generosity of the English towards the Land-holders of Bengal. possessors. This proved to be one of the tokens of Divine good­ness, and one mark of English munificence; for had it not been for that lenity, all was over with the ancient nobility and gentry of this land; nor could any one of them pretend to live a single day in it even under the bare canopy of heaven. The English did even more. For the revolutions and alterations which resulted from the changes of the Emperors, and which the wonted faithlessness of men in office had rendered almost certain and unavoidable, were now put an end to by these strangers, who established it as a standing rule, that whoever was actual possessor of a spot of land, should remain in possession of it for ever; and that after him it should devolve to his posterity. Thanks be to God Almighty, that matters have remained on that footing; and that it is become customary and established, that those who satisfied with little, have let themselves down the scanty stream of resignation and contentment, should be suffered to glide safely in it with their children and families; and may God grant out of His goodness that we may meet with no worse times than these!

It must be mentioned that Lord Clive, after a short stay at Strange and sudden death of the young Navvab of of Bengal, who is succeed ed by Séif-ed-döwlah alias Mir-pahlory, his brother, who soon fol­lows him to the grave. Moorshood-abad, had landed in the garden of Saaduc-bagh on his way to Ilah-abad, where he had been complimented by Nedjm-ed-döwlah and Mahmed-reza-qhan, who had accompanied him so far. On Lord Clive’s departure, these noble persons were returning to their palaces, when on a sudden, Nedjm-ed-döwlah was assaulted by some sharp pains in his bowels, which finding no vent at all, became so excruciating, that the young Navvab on his alighting at his palace, departed this life. It was on the twenty-fourth of Zilcaad, in the year of the Hedjra one thousand one A. D. 1766. hundred and seventy-nine. He was succeeded in the government of the country by Séif-ed-döwlah*, his second brother, a young man of gentle manners, and who shewed himself inclined to do good and to oblige; but he too in a few days hastily quitted his life and government, leaving a good name behind. His power did not extend far; but so far as it went, he never suffered it to fail, whenever there was an act of benevolence and commiseration to be performed.

Shytab-rày had attended Lord Clive to Ilah-abad by order; but on that nobleman’s departure from thence, he of his own accord took his leave for a certain time, under promise of returning soon, as he had some particular business of his own. As to my forgiven father, he was so dissatisfied with the com­plexion of the times, and the contempt in which the Majesty of the Empire was held, that he had chosen to live retired, and satisfied, upon that small Djaghir or estate which he possessed in this province from ancient times; and from whence he used now and then to repair to Azim-abad for the purpose of paying one or two visits to whoever happened to be seated on the mesned of Government. For he thought it expedient to be upon some terms with the men in office, lest he should be molested by those men who lived by wickedness; and it was on that account, that he had come to Azim-abad to wait on Lord Clive. But that Viceroy, who always travelled in haste, having already quitted that city, my forgiven father went no farther, but sent Séyd-aaly-qhan, my brother, who was a great friend of Rabia-begun’s (mother-in-law to Mahmed-reza-qhan). His intention was that he should accompany Shytab-ráy, to which last he wrote a letter, intimating the design he had in view in sending his son; for he requested his assistance in such matters as depended on the Nizamet, that is, on the interference of the Navvab and of the English. He informed him at the same time that he had sent his son for the purpose of procuring some Seneds or Patents under the Navvab’s seal. The style of the letter was of so conciliating a nature, that Shytab-ráy, who possessed much sense and good nature, and knew how to rate every one’s worth and station, answered it with particular marks of civility and good will, promising his services and assistance with the best grace imaginable. My forgiven father, on this promise, sent the harcara or head-spy, Moorly-dur, who was one of the Columns of the Government of Azim-abad, a man of keenness and abilities, who had orders to attend Shytab-ráy; and Séyd-aaly-qhan himself was ordered to attend them both; for which pur­pose he went with them as far asMoorshood-abad.

On Shytab-ráys arrival at Calcutta, Lord Clive, by the General’s advice, proposed to attach him to his person, by employing him in whatever was relative to matters of finance and government. Shytab-ráy, who was sensible how much exposed he was to the shafts of envy and obloquy, and who wished to shew his resignation and want of pretensions, brought many reasons forward for excusing his backwardness, but he was not heard; and the Viceroy insisted so earnestly, that Shytab-ráy was obliged to acknowledge his being ill of a distemper, which was looked upon to be a confirmed lues. On this intelligence, he was made ovor to Lord Cllve’s body Physician and Doctor, who was ordered and bound to attend Shytab-ráy. The Doctor applied himself to his task so earnestly, that his patient’s distemper which had risen to its heighth, and raged with so much violence as to prevent all bodily motion, especially that of the joints in the legs and arms, was totally expelled and put an end to, by only rubbing the parts with a remedy composed of quick-silver and hog’s fat. It disappeared so intirely as not to leave a trace Shitab-ráy cured of the?? lues, and pro­moted to ?? nities and emolument. behind. Shytab-ráy made the Doctor a present of ten thousand rupees; but as soon as he was in full health, he was promoted to the titles of Maha-radja and Bahadyr*, to the high rank of Commander of five thousand horse, and to an allowance of twenty-five thousand rupees per month for the expenses of his Government, besides five thousand more for his own person. Over and above that, he was complimented with an enlargement of his Djaghir, and likewise with a more extensive share of influence in the management of Government matters, in which he was associated to Durdj-naráin and to Mr. Middleton, which last was Chief of the factory of Azim-abad. Moreover he was entrusted with the use of Séif-ed-döwlah’s Seal, who was reputed Nazem of all the three Provinces; after which he was ordered to return to his office.