This gentleman, who was son to a General officer in the armies of Iran, and himself a man of character and valour, had, long before his taking service with Mahmed-c8li-qhan, served with distinction under Ab8l-mans8r-qhan, under whom he had enjoyed offices in most parts of the province of A8d, and was highly respected everywhere. He was of a generous temper, keeping open table, and obliging with his purse and credit, as many as applied to him; shedding over the thirsty fields of every needy suitor’s heart, the refreshing showers of his liberality, without ever making any distinction between an acquaintance or a stranger. It was enough to be in distress, in order to have a claim on his assistance. This officer finding how matters went through­out the camp, retired with a small number of men into some ruined houses, that were close to his quarters; and there having shewn himself on the top of the house, and at some crannies, he cried out, that whoever would approach him with a hostile intention, would soon find that he must be slain first, and then only stripped. Intelligence of this being carried to the two armies, some officers of Beni-bahadyr’s, who had served under him, joined some other Commanders of Radja Belvent’s, who had likewise Noble char­acter of an officer. been obliged and relieved by his munificence; and these going in a body, represented to the two Radjas, “that the officer, who with a dozen of soldiers, had put himself upon his defence in those ruined houses, was no other than the brave Zin-el-abedin-qhan, a man of great character, and to whom every one of their servants, now present, was indebted for favours received, and for assistance most generously bestowed. They added, that several there present had likewise served under him; and that impressed with very high sentiments of respect and gratitude for his person, they supplicated for leave to go in a body, in order to bring that Commander away with all the honour and respect due to his merit; or for permission to share his fate, and to perish with him.” The two Radjas, hearing the strain of the request, and being themselves in admiration at the man’s behaviour, gave their consent, with permission to bring him under whatever conditions and stipulations he should himself desire. The officers and Commanders having received this consent, marched in a numerous body to that brave man’s quarters; and there some of the principal ones having alighted at a distance, made a profound bow, and then advanced on foot in a friendly manner. Being within hearing, they exposed their errand. The officer surprised at this unexpected turn, passed many encomi­ums on their generous interposition, and returned his acknowledgments to the Almighty for his signal delivery; he then mounted his horse, and followed by the companions of his for­tune, he was conducted with the utmost respect to camp, where he was lodged, and treated with much regard, and from whence he, in a few days, repaired to Banares, as soon as the tumult of sack and plunder had subsided. Let men of sense and honour peruse carefully the anecdote which I have been stammering out here. Let them hang it at their ear as the most precious pearl, that it may remind them hourly of the advantages of beneficence. Let it inform them, that as that celestial qualification is at all times of so great a resource in this world, by insuring a liberal man’s peace of mind in it; so it never fails to insure his happi­ness in the other, by laying up for him a store of comfort and consolation. Whilst Mahmed-c8li-qhan’s troops were under­going such a merciless stripping, he was himself under confine­ment at A8d. But we must now leave this event, together with its consequences, as we reserve it for Shuja-ed-döula’s particular history; for we are now to revert to that of Bengal.

As soon as Mir-djaafer-qhan (and he had no other Deputy and no other trusty General but his son) came to hear of Ram-naráin’s junction with Mahmed-c8li-qhan, and of his having acknowledged the Shah-zada, he was struck with amazement and fear; and as the English were now the only resource which remained either to the father or to the son in the world, they both wrote to Colonel Clive, whom they intreated, besought, and supplicated to come to their assistance. The Colonel objected; but at last he consented. On his arriving at the head of his troops at M8rsh8d-abad, a council was held, in which it was resolved to march immediately. It must be observed that some time was spent in overcoming that General’s reluctance; for the English, uninformed as they were of the real state of affairs in Hindostan, and unapprised of the strange cast of mind that formed so principal a feature in the character of the Grandees of that country, were impressed with awful ideas for the very name and sound of Imperial Prince; and they bore a high respect to the Imperial race. The words, throne, and hereditary right excited their respect so far, that they felt a thorough dis­inclination against appearing in arms in opposition to such sacred names; and so little inclined were they to entertain sentiments of enmity, that, to all appearance, they would have preferred the part of mediators, had they observed in the Prince, or in his Minister, any firmness, or capacity or concert. On receiving intelligence, therefore, of the misunion that raged amongst them, and of the wretched conduct which it occasioned, they shook off all regard for his concerns, and heartily joined their own confederates, the Navvab and his son. By this time certain advices having reached M8rsh8d-abad, of Ram-naráin’s having quitted the Prince’s party, and of his being closely besieged in Azim-abad; this intelligence engaged the father and the son to march with the Colonel to his assistance; and they set out together with a numerous army. In the way Miren, who was very much dissatisfied with that air of independence, which Qhadum-hassen-qhan had assumed at P8rania, became apprehen­sive, lest the man should avail himself so far of the confusion as to conceive higher designs; and he resolved to be before­hand with him, and to seize his person, if possible. With this view he encamped for some time at Pointy, which is over against P8rania; but this intention of Miren’s having gone abroad, Qhadum-hassen-qhan, who was a shrewd wary man, and who, besides, greatly suspected Miren’s sincerity, thought proper to march from P8rania with his army, artillery, and effects; and under pretence of going to join the Bengal army, he encamped at Carangolah, which is the landing place of the province of P8rania; from thence he sent to Colonel Clive, and put himself under the safeguard of the English. The Colonel interposed his good offices, advised Miren not to think of troubling the man at present, and engaged the two parties to come to a new agree­ment together. Qhadum-hassen-qhan being now fully confirmed in his suspicions, declined going to camp; but he offered to come to an interview in the middle of the river Ganga, where each The refractory Governor of P8rania patches up an agreement, by the interposi­tion of the English. party should come in its own badjaraw.* He added, that after having in this manner satisfied himself with the sincerity of Miren’s intentions, he would return to P8rania with a mind eased of its burthen, and would henceforward attend steadily to the duties of friendship and attachment. Such a treaty was by no means conformable to Miren’s mind; but it became obligatory on both parties in consequence of the interposition of a Commander of high character, who found his own advantage in it, and insisted that this was not a time to engage in new broils. The interview took place, as it had been agreed to; and a new treaty was concluded and confirmed by the Colonel’s mediation. This General having now got rid of this affair, advanced with Miren towards Azim-abad; and this intelligence having soon reached Mahmed-c8li-qhan, the latter concluded that it would not be advantageous in any shape to tarry any longer in his camp; and raising the siege, he decamped instantly. The Colonel being arrived close to Azim-abad, was met by Ram-naráin, who came out with all the officers of Government, and all the principal persons of the province and city; and although it is not known under what point of view he had the art to represent his joining the enemies of the State, yet it is certain that he was received with more regard than ever; nor did it appear that his character had anyways suffered by his late double-dealing; but what is singular is, that this same Ram-naráin, who had made use of entreaties to send me on an embassy to Mahmed-c8li-qhan, whom he would have joined infallibly himself, had he not been deterred by M8rly-dur’s representations, now made it a point to complain of me; thinking, doubtless, that so much as he might charge on my character, would go far towards clearing his own. He, therefore, made it a practice to complain of me everyday. “Gentlemen,” would he say, “strange are become the times, indeed, and strange characters do they sometimes exhibit! What wrongs had I done to Gholam-husséin-qhan, that he should have quitted my service, to go and join his father? This gentleman, after such a shifting of hands, and such a changing of sides, doubtless thinks himself a very honest man.” This was his usual language. It might have been answered to him that, “Strange men, indeed, must be the English, and strangely infatuated must they be, who after having seen him repair to their enemy, and join his party, still thought Ram-naráin their fast friend! But the matter is this, that in these days, whatever a wealthy man is pleased to do, is never imputed to guilt; and money covers every defect and every vice, nay, gives it very often the appearance of policy; but still there remains no difference on the subject betwixt the opinions of the adorers of gold, and those of the men of sense and penetration; both parties agree in distinguishing the man of merit from the man of the crowd; nor do they mistake his worth.”—But we have spoken enough of private concerns; let us revert now to the affairs of State.