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The founder of the Kajar Dynasty was the Eunuch Shah, Aga Mahomed Khan, a conqueror who at the close of last century expiated by a violent death the crimes by which he had paved his way to the throne over the ruins of the dynasties of Safavi and Nadir Shah. He was succeeded by his nephew Futteh Ali, a wise prince, who however neutralized by an avaricious old age the vigorous measures of his earlier years. Unwilling to part with his treasure, he had the mortification of seeing his badly equipped armies driven back before the superior forces of the Russians, and by the treaty of Turkomanchai, concluded in 1828, he was compelled to cede new conquests by which the Russian frontier, hetween the Euxine and the Caspian, was advanced to its present limits. In this reign too was witnessed that extraordinary spectacle of two rival British missions contending against each other, when self-interest so miserably triumphed over patriotism. The solution of this puzzling enigma, which suggested itself to the Persian mind, is so eminently characteristic, that we shall not apologise for transcribing it. 'General Malcolm was the more open-handed of the two envoys, ' and as he was known to be the representative of the Government ' of a commercial company, they inferred that he of course ' received a percentage upon all the money which he spent during his mission, and that therefore it was for his own interest that he should disburse as much money as he might 'find the Persians willing to accept.'

Futteh Ali died in 1834, and was succeeded by his grandson, Mahomed Shah, the father of the reigning sovereign. It was during his reign that under pretence of checking piracy, the Russians took possession, in 1842, of the Island of Ashoradeh off Astrabad, and thus, notwithstanding the existing treaty, virtually accomplished the grand idea of Peter the Great, of making the Caspian a Russian lake.

But by far the most interesting portion of the book is that which treats of the life and death of Mirza Teki Khan, the ill-fated Prime Minister of the present Shah-a man as far advanced beyond his countrymen in statesmanship, as he was superior to them in purity of morals. In no unfitting terms does the author pourtray the character of this upright ruler, by whose wisdom and ability Persia might now have possessed a settled and respected Government, had not jealousy and intrigue been enabled to effect his overthrow. We extract Mr. Watson's notice of this remarkable man.

'Mirza Teki Khan, who was at this time appointed to be the 'Ameer-i-Nizam, or commander-in-chief of the Persian army, 'owed his elevation entirely to his talents and services.

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'countrymen in general. Belisarius did not tower over the 'degenerate Romans of his day more than did the Ameer-i'Nizam over his contemporaries, the successors of the adversaries of "the last of the Roman generals." The race of 'modern Persians cannot be said to be altogether effete, since so recently it has been able to produce a man such as was the 'Ameer-i-Nizam." ** * The Ameer's system of Government was that which experience has proved to be the most beneficial for an Oriental nation-an enlightened 'despotism. He made no pretence of wishing to educate the people or of consulting their inclinations. He professed to endeavour to secure their material well-being, and to restrain 'their evil propensities. But the minister aimed at far more than this; and had his measures been permanently effected, 'their adoption would have indicated nothing less than a radical 'change in Persian morality and Persian manners.'

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The following is a specimen of the enormity of the evils which this minister set himself to reform. Of all the 'traits which go to make up the Persian character, that 'which, next to excessive vanity, is most strongly developed, 'is a constant desire to acquire unlawful gains. The word ""mudahil," for which their is no exact English term, has for Persian ears a charm which few Europeans can comprehend. "Mudahil" signifies all that one can acquire by receiving bribes, by swindling and extortion, and by all other irregular means. It is "mudahil" and not salary which 'every Persian official is anxious to secure. A salary regularly paid affords no scope for the display of the talents in which Persians most excel-for dissimulating and overreachingoppressing and cringing-and therefore a post which has only 'a good salary attached to it, and which affords no good oppor'tunities of making "mudahil" is looked upon by Persians as being but a poor possession. The Ameer-i-Nizam, himself 'altogether above being bribed, resolved to suppress the wide'spread system of wholesale bribery which he saw around him. By degrees he effected much in the way of putting a stop to 'corruption.'

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But of course such conduct only made him obnoxious and so we are led on to the story of his cruel fate. tale is simple and pathetic enough, without any comment. The Shah's only sister, the wife of Mirza Teki Khan was 'devotedly attached to her husband, and no one had the heart to tear him from her arms. No princess educated in a 'Christian Court, and accustomed to the contemplation of the Literally i 'in-come.'-Ed.

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'brightest example of conjugal virtues that the history of the 'world has recorded, could have shown more tenderness and 'devotion than did the sister of the Shah of Persia towards 'her unfortunate husband. Every day his guard took the 'precaution of summoning him from his room, in order that they might make sure that he had not escaped; and when he 'went outside to show himself, his wife was at first in the habit ' of accompanying him. Seeing however that this ceremony was, a mere matter of form, she ceased to go forth with him, and contented herself with the precaution of tasting of ( every dish that was set before him. But a man was found who ' volunteered to put the Ameer to death without the princess 'being made aware of what was going to take place. One Hazi Ali Khan, a clever and worthless adventurer, had been admitted ' into the Shah's service by the Ameer, and had been made chief ' of his ferashes; a post of some importance. In order to show 'his zeal in the service of his new master, the Ferash-Bashi now volunteered to be the executioner of his benefactor. When he appeared at Kashan, the retainers of the ex-minister were filled with joy for they believed that one, who had 'owed his advancement in life to their lord, had been chosen 'to be the bearer of good news. They were doomed to a cruel disappointment. On the 9th January, 1852, the ex-minister was called forth as usual by his guard, and on his appearing ' alone was seized, gagged, and dragged to an adjoining house, 'where he was cast on the floor, stripped and tied. The veins ' in both his arms and his legs were then opened, and he was 'allowed to linger for several hours in mortal agony. He bore 'his cruel fate with a resignation which was in keeping with the consistent greatness of his life. The youthful princess, his wife, being alarmed at the absence of her husband, was told by Haji Ali Khan that he had gone to the bath, in order to be prepared to put on a robe of honour which the Shah had 'sent to him by his hands. When she awoke from her delusion, 'the heart of her husband had for ever ceased to beat.'

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3. Prehistoric Man. A lecture delivered in the Dalhousie Institute, Calcutta. By Henry F. Blanford, F. G. s. Calcutta, R. C. Lepage & Co. 1866.

THIS is the first of a series of lectures which the writer proposes to deliver on the somewhat vague subject of Prehistoric Man, and which will therefore be more properly reviewed upon completion. We only call attention to the present number, as carrying with it the stamp of undoubted ability and a thorough

acquaintance with the discoveries bearing upon the subject, which cannot fail to be appreciated by the public. Mr. Blanford is well known in India as a clever geologist, and if ardour in the pursuit of his favorite science sometimes carries him to greater lengths than his readers are willing to follow him, he it always to be depended upon for accuracy in statements of fact. The writer has naturally regarded his subject in a geological aspect, and the present lecture treats of such facts as may or may not have been proved by the progress of thas science in Western Europe. The discovery of flint implements and other relics, evidently the result of human labour, embedded in alluvial deposits side by side with fossils of the mammoth, cave-bear, and other extinct animals, has not only established the high antiquity of the human race, but has given rise to the theory of a stone age,' in which the earliest inhabitants were ignorant of the use and probably even the existence of metals. It is the consideration of this age which forms the subject of the present lecture, in which Mr. Blanford in a very readable and popular resumé sums up the results that have been achieved in the last ten years. Something in this direction has been done even in India, and we are glad to observe that our lecturer is sanguine as to the ultimate success which will attend such investigations in this country. But we must refer our readers to the pamphlet itself, in which we are convinced they will find much to interest and instruct them.

Passing from the consideration of flint hatchets, the philosopher is impressed with the progress of civilization, and foresees the advent of an age of precious metals, in which the use of silver trowels shall no longer be confined to a certain class of inaugural ceremonies. 'Carrying our gaze from the past to the future, the terrestrial future of man, what a brilliant prospect is opened up. If such as I have sketched has been man's past 'condition; if through the long strife of ages he has raised 'himself to his present height, to what may he not attain in 'the future? Is not this brighter and more hopeful than the poet's dream of shadowy ages of gold and silver, long gone by ' and never to return?'

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4. Some Account of Endowments and Institutions in connection with the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Calcutta. By John H. Pratt, M. A. Archdeacon of Calcutta. Calcutta. R. C. Lepage & Co. 1865.

Ir is not uncommonly remarked that the best parsons make the worst men of business; but in the eminently practical

work before us, Archdeacon Pratt has proved that there are exceptions to the rule. The Archdeacon has brought together within a small compass the history and object of the several Endowments connected with this Diocese, giving in the case of those created by deed the terms of the trust at length. The work appears to have been originally intended to serve as a manual of ready reference for the Bishop and Archdeacon, but it has been very wisely published, not only for the purpose of affording general information upon the subject, but specially 'to encourage benevolent persons disposed to dedicate their pro'perty to pious and charitable uses, in connection with the Church of England, to make bequests after the patterns here 'commended to their imitation.' There is one defect, however, in the book, which detracts from its utility, and which the compiler has himself stated. It will be observed,' he says, that this book professes to give some account of institu 'tions connected with the Diocese and Archdeaconry only in as 'far as the Bishop and Archdeacon are responsible for the administration of the funds.' But this is a limitation which does not affect the public at large, and we trust that in a second edition Archdeacon Pratt will see the expediency of extending its present special character, and adapting the work to the more general requirements of the public. The third chapter, for instance, is of little use to any one, except perhaps as a reminder to the two individuals particularly concerned; more information regarding the funds and institutions of which it treats, is to be found in either of the Annual Directories. As it stands however, the book must prove extremely useful to the clergy and others, who, from their official position or otherwise, are brought from time to time into contact with endowments or institutions connected with the Church of England.

5. Ten Years in Sarawak. By Charles Brooke, Tuan-Muda of Saráwak, with an Introduction by H. H. The Rajah Sir James Brooke. London, 1866.

MR. BROOKE has written a very entertaining book of adventure which cannot fail to interest the general reader. It does not pretend of course to any literary merit, and its style can scarcely be accepted as a model of purity. But the story is told in a plain unvarnished way, as though the author were sitting by us, spinning one of those yarns he learnt in the Navy, and was so fond of repeating to his Dyak comrades. And the story is interesting, for what he tells us not only teems with adventure and excitement, but must, from its very

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