We have said that Aaly-verdy-qhan, after his victory over the Afghans, was returning to M8rsh8d-abad; this opportunity was seized by Séif-qhan, hereditary Governor of P8rania, who conceiving that he had acquired some merit with the Viceroy, not only by sending presents to him on his passage on the other side of the Ganga, but also by assisting with a detachment of useful troops, thought he had a right now to invite him over to his own side of the river, where he had made magnificent preparatives. It must be observed, that as he had already invited and received successively, both Hadji-ahmed, brother to the Viceroy, and Sáyd-ahmed-qhan, his son-in-law, on their occasionally passing up and down the river; and had engaged them to accept entertainments at Carangolah, which belongs to the dominions of P8rania; he concluded that Aaly-verdy-qhan himself would come over, and accept the entertainment he had prepared for him at the above place. He had set up a number of magnificent tents, and prepared a quantity of rich and curious presents; but these pre­paratives were not taken notice of by the Viceroy, who knew that the Fodjdar had always paid visits, both to Djaafer-qhan, and to Shudjah-qhan, his two predecessors in the viceroyalty of Bengal, to both which he thought himself vastly superior, either in military talents or in extent of dominions. The truth is, that he was not only much superior to them, but also equal, if not superior, to any potentate of his time, either in reputation, or in real power. He therefore rejected Séif-qhan’s invitations and offers; he even found so much fault with the request, that he was heard to say to his intimates, “That although Séif-qhan was a Lord of the rank of seven thousand horse, and a son of Emir-qhan, the famous Viceroy of Cab8l, yet, after all, he would not be deemed anything higher or better than a Fodjdar of P8rania; and since he used once a year, to comply so far with the rules of decency, as to come down to M8rsh8d-abad to see Djaafer-qhan and Shudjah-qhan, and Ser-effraz-qhan, why then does he not come to see me likewise? Possibly the gentleman thinks such a condescendence beneath his rank and dignity.” Séif-qhan, who was not informed of these sentiments, and who expected that the Viceroy would, like his brother and nephew, cross over, and accept his presents, sent him an invitation whilst he was passing by Taliagary. But the invitation, although noticed and even respectful, was rejected, and the message was answered in these very words: “If to see me is the whole matter, why does he not come to M8rs8d-abad, as he always took care to do with the former Nazems of Bengal.” Séif-qhan on hearing this answer, repented of his having come so far, and he returned to P8rania, his capital; where in a little time he fell sick, and Death of Séif-khan. his sickness turning to a looseness and flux, he departed this world at the beginning of the year one thousand one hundred and sixty-two. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Faqhr-eddin-hossëin-qhan, who had no talents for government, and no capacity for such a charge; and he proved as bad a brother, as he had been a bad son. This man not only took possession of the Government, but also seized on the family estate which amounted to immense sums that had been accumulating these forty years past, and consisted of ready money, jewels of an inestimable value, gems, and precious costly stuffs. All this he took to himself, to the exclusion of his younger brothers; and not con­tent with that, he snatched out of their hands even what they were already in possession of, leaving them only a small matter, or what they had been able to conceal. The Viceroy, who was soon informed of all this, and who knew of no office in Bengal adequate to Sáyd-ahmed-qhan’s rank and pretensions, thought of this province, and he obtained the patent of it from the Court. In a few months he put it in his hands, together with the rich Qhylaat, and the other insignia that had come on purpose from the capital; and to render the ceremony more pompous, he added from his own an elephant, a serpich and Djica with a calghi, a chaplet of pearls, and a variety of other jewels. The fodjdary of Hoogly becoming vacant by this appointment, he made a present of it to Seradj-ed-döulah, appointing Mirza-Piaren, a half-brother of his, whose real name was Mahmed-yar-qhan, to reside in that province, as Deputy of the young Prince’s. Some days after the Governor of P8rania having sent forward a man of distinction, called Qhadem-hossëin-qhan, to take possession of his new Government, he followed himself in a little time after, and this was at the end of the year. He was accompanied by me, the poor man, and by some other persons attached to him, all which were at the head of two or three thousand horse and three or four thousand men. Faqhr-eddin-hossëin-qhan finding that he had now no other party left than that of apprehending the hem of the Viceroy’s garment, wrote him a respectful letter, where he proferred his acquiescence and submission to his pleasure. The latter now become covetous, wrote him in answer, “That he was his friend; and that he had better come over to M8rsh8d-abad where he wished to see him, and where he might rest assured that a regard would be paid to his utmost wishes, as his intention was to gratify him in everything.” Such a letter, which ought to have put him upon his guard, on the contrary inspired him with confidence; and like one who by his unworthy treatment of his brother had drawn upon himself the Divine vengeance, he had the thoughtlessness to obey the order, and to prepare everything for his journey to M8rsh8d-abad. Else, with the troops and equi­pages, and all the means of travelling and defence which he had ready under his hand, he might have crossed the Cosséy. There being no Zemindar in the neighbouring country daring enough to oppose his journey, and even supposing that he should have met with opposition, he might easily have got rid of it, by afford­ing a small contribution and then continuing his voyage. But the man pursued by the Divine vengeance for the wrongs he had heaped upon his brothers, and as the report goes, upon even his very father, proved so senseless as to set out for M8rsh8d-abad with a baggage of an immense value; but escorted by a body of troops which he had found ready at his hands, and which needed only a Commander. In coming down he met Sáyd-ahmed-qhan by the way. The latter who always knew how to behave properly, sent his own son, Shàocat-djung, with two or three officers of his army, such as Mehdi-nessar-qhan and my humble self, to compli­ment him on his journey, and to condole on his father’s death; and it was observed that the young man acquitted himself of his com­mission with a propriety of behaviour and expression that surprised every one. The next day Faqhr-eddin came to pay his respects to Sáyd-ahmed-qhan, who received him with distinction, and made him a variety of presents. The third day the new Governor continued his journey, and by the way he returned the visit; after which Faqhr-eddin taking his leave, went on towards M8rsh8d-abad, while the other continued his journey to P8raniah, where we shall leave him for a while as we intend to speak hereafter both of his person and administration; our business now being with his thoughtless predecessor, who having left his troops upon the Maha-nudda over against Minc8t, crossed the Ganga, and repaired to M8rsh8d-abad, where the Viceroy sent some persons of distinction to welcome him at his landing; and on his coming to pay his respects, he ordered a quilted Carpet or Suzeni to be spread for him, where he got him seated, and where he compli­mented him with Paan, and Atur or Essence of Roses, as well as Rose-water; and, in short, with all the honorific demonstrations of regard customary in India; after which he appointed a place for his residence, or in other words, for his confinement.

But whilst he was making this acquisition, he was losing his Prime Minister, the Ráy-Ráyán-Chéin-Ráy, who now departed this life. He was succeeded by his Deputy, Bir8-dut, who was ordered to execute the duties of that high office, but without being permitted to assume the title. This Chéin-Ráy was a curious sort of a man, but so able in his business, and with all so loyal, that he made no account of anything, when it interfered with his master’s interest. In a little time he had acquired so far his approbation, and had gained so much over his mind, that the persons of the greatest distinction at his Court, without excepting the Viceroy’s two sons-in-law, were obliged to make interest with him, wherever they had a point to carry. So that sometimes they found it expedient to pay him the greatest deference and regard; and how high was his credit and influence, may be con­jectured by this single anecdote: I was once in a closet with the Viceroy, where he was conversing privately with his nephews and cousins, and where Sáyd-ahmed-qhan having mentioned the present Minister, was comparing him to his predecessor in that high office, and to his own private Minister. “No, my son,” replied the Viceroy, “those you mean were my servants; whereas the other was no less than my master.” But after having compli­mented our readers with this little piece of private history, let us return to the thread of public affairs, and especially to the Mar­hattahs, and to Djano-dji, their Prince and General.