But, as we have just been mentioning Nizam-el-mulk’s demise, it is proper that we should leave for a while the thread of our narrative in order to say something about the characters and private life of that famous man, as well as of three more. illustrious personages, who seemed to have concerted together their voyage for eternity, after having acted the most important parts on the theatre of this world. These were Emir-qhan Camer-eddin-qhan, and Mahmed-shah. After that, we shall, if it pleases God, the Author of all favours, revert to our history, and recount such remarkable events as have distinguished Ahmed-shah’s reign, and Abool-mansoor-qhan’s Ministry.

Umdet-el-mulk-Emir-qhan-Bahadyr, Governor of Ilah-abad, was son of another Umdet-el-mulk-Emir-qhan-Bahadyr, Governor of Cab8l. His ancestor in remote times was an illustrious man, an Husseinian-Séyd, of the branch of Naamet-ollah, whose family in process of time came to be called the Mir-miranians, from a descendant of his who received that surname*. This family is so very illustrious, even in Iran, that it needs neither encomiums, nor writing. One of these Mir-miranians, grandfather to our Emir-qhan, on some misdemeanour or some other subject, quitted the Court of Isfahan without taking leave from Shah-abbass, the Hero of Iran, and fled to Hindostan, where he was so well received by the Emperor Djehan-ghir, son to Soltan Acbar, that he soon became a favourite with him, living in his Court in the utmost splendour. His prosperity, however, was constantly embittered by the thoughts of being parted from two beloved sons, whom he had been obliged to leave in Iran, and he often declared that he would revive and seem to commence a new life as soon as he could behold them once more. His sorrow was so continual and so affecting, that amongst the several articles of instruction given to Qhan-aalem, whom that Emperor sent in Embassy to the Court of Iran, the requesting and obtaining those two beloved children was a considerable one. The ambassador rendered himself so agreeable to Shah-abbass, that he obtained all his requests, and these two sons amongst the rest. On their arrival at the Court of Hindostan, they were honoured with the title of Qhan, and promoted to the highest offices. Qhalil-ollah-qhan, the eldest, rose to considerable dignities, and from that time the family never ceased to move in the highest sphere of honours, employs and offices. Emir-qhan’s uncle was Paymaster-General to Aoreng-zib, the Conqueror*, and a great favourite of his. His father died Viceroy of the important Government of Cabool, and so satisfied was Aoreng-zib with that Governor’s abilities and talents for government and for war, that so long as he knew him in that important post, he never expressed any apprehensions from the enterprising genius of the Monarchs of Iran. So that being thus left at liberty to pursue his designs in Decan, he made it a point to ascribe publicly to him every one of his conquests and victories, and he used to express himself in that style in the many letters which he wrote to the Governor. Our Emir-qhan, son of that Viceroy, arrived by his merits and abilities at so much power and influence, and he seemed to deserve them so well, that no one of the Grandees of the Empire could be compared to him. He seemed a compendium of every valuable qualification; he was besides so learned that few men could pretend to enter the lists with him. His prowess and military abilities could be compared to nothing but to the keenness of his penetration, and to the clearness of his comprehension, which gave him at once, as if by intuition, so comprehensive a view of every affair, either public or private, which was brought before him, that the very suitors thought themselves happy to be eased of so great a part of their trouble. He delighted in the company of all sorts of men of merit, whether they were soldiers of a determined valour, men of talents, or men venerable by their learning. Every species of talents attracted his notice: eminent singers, eminent dancers, and in general all kinds of eminent men, especially in composition and poetry. Whoever had been once in his company, could not part with him; and I have seen people fall so far in love with his conversation and character, that long after his death, no man of eminence ever pronounced his name, or reported any thing of him, or made his eulogium, without shedding a flood of tears. The numbers of men of merit introduced by him into the world is not small, and numbers there are to-day whom he has raised from penury and distress to affluence, dignities, and power—numbers whom he inlisted amongst the Lords of the Empire, and the Grandees of the State. He composed with great elegance and much facility, both in Persian and Hindostany poetry, of ten uttering extempore verses; but no man ever equalled him in the talent of saying bon mots, and in rejoining by a repartee. He possessed the art of narration in such a high degree, that people charmed with his story, kept it hanging at their ears as a fragrant flower, whose perfume they wished to enjoy for ever. On the other hand, his generosity was such that, when he had once allowed a pension to some one, high or low, he never recalled it, but continued it to the person, although the occasion and necessity should have ceased long ago. Ingeniously delicate, everything about his person or in his Palace, received from his directions such an elegance of form, that from that moment it was taken up as a pattern by all men of taste, and thenceforward became the fashion at Court, and the standard of elegance both for apparel and furniture*.

Truth will not permit us to say much of Camer-eddin-qhan, notwithstanding he was Prime Minister of State, and bore the titles of “The Trust-worthy of the Empire, and the Victorious in War.” He was son of Mahmed-amin-qhan, who had cut so great a figure in the beginning of Mahmed-shah’s reign, and drew his pedigree from Qhadja-Ehrar. Mahmed-amin early quitted Tooran*, his native country, and came into Hindostan in Aoreng-zib the Conqueror’s time, where he rose by degrees to the military grade of five thousand horse. In process of time he rose to the grade of seven thousand, and this happened in Feroh-syür’s reign chiefly through the countenance he received from the famous Abdollah-qhan, which, however, did not prevent him from joining in the conspiracy for murdering Husséin-aaly-qhan, brother to his benefactor. He was promoted to the Vezir­ship in the beginning of Mahmed-shah’s reign, but enjoyed that office but a few months, having been seized by the claws of Death, that universal Tyrant who mows down indiscriminately the Minister with the beggar. Camer-eddin-qhan, his son, enjoyed in his father’s life-time the office of third Paymaster-General*, and of Superintendent of the bathing-place or private appartments; and he was promoted to the Vezirship after Nizam-el-mulk’s departure for Decan, in which high office he exhibited no great talents for government, being slothful, inattentive, indolent, and eternally immersed in all kinds of pleasures*; but he was inoffensive, and such an enemy to oppression, that the people of the Capital remember him with regret to this very day. He was a magnificent friend, and a bountiful patron, but a weak Vezir, wanting firmness and activity. He lived in a style of the utmost grandeur and magnificence, denying himself no kind of pleasure, and passing his time in tasting of every one of them successively. He died, as we have said, a month and some days before his master Mahmed-shah’s demise.

This Prince, who was son to Djehan-shah-qhojista-ahter, grandson to Bahadyr-shah, and great-grandson to Aoreng-zib-Alemghir, wanted neither genius nor abilities; but he was so very good-natured, that in that respect he exceeded the measure, proper in the character of Kings and Princes. Naturally of a passive temper, and wanting firmness of mind, he was apt to be led by his servants, and he became dependent on his Ministers in such a manner, as to become as indolent as themselves, and as incapable to recover the Empire from that state of debility in which it fell under Feroh-syür. Young and handsome, and fond of all kinds of pleasures, he addicted himself to an inactive life, which intirely enervated the energy of the Empire. This inactivity of temper became still more conspicuous after Nadyr-shah had ruined his Capital, and restored him his crown. The fire of his youth and the turbulence of his passions having then subsided, his genius subsided likewise; he studied his repose above all things, and so as to become averse to business. About the end of his reign, he seemed to have taken a liking to the conversation and company of Fakyrs and religious men; and he condescended so far as to listen to a representation from them with the best grace in the world. Being naturally averse from blood and violence, his subjects under his reign enjoyed much rest and prosperity. It may be said with truth that, under his reign, the Government was still respected, the honour of the Empire supported, and the Majesty of the Throne kept alive and standing; for, after his demise, every thing went to wreck, and he may be considered as the seal and last of the Emperors of the House of Babr. A little time after his demise the words, Empire and Emperor, became only empty sounds and mere names, that conveyed no distinct meaning.