was because the Christians were Masters of it in his time and that the Mahometans had not a free Trade therein The Desart of Gour lies upon the River Jordan betwixt Damascus and the Dead-Sea through which lies the Road from Syria to Arabia There is also a Country of this Name near the River Indus which borders upon the Khorassan 111. The same Author of Gulistan says of himself that a certain Man of little Sense but big and fat and richly cloth'd passing by on a brave Arabian Horse and having an huge Turban upon his Head he was ask'd What he thought of the Brocard with which that great Fellow was cloth'd To which he answer'd That it was just like sorry Writing in Characters of Gold Observation At this very Day those belonging to the Law in Constantinople viz. the Mufti the Cadileskers the Mullas or the Cadis of the first degree wear Turbans of a surprizing Bigness for without an Hyperbole there are some of them almost two Foot broad They are made with very much Art and Curiosity and though they be so mighty large yet are very light there being nothing in them but the sinest of Cloth and Cotâ—on and when any of these Gentlemen fall short of the Capacity which they ought to have then wo be to him for the Turks in imitation of the Author of Gulistan make their Mocks at him and his big Turban 112. An Highway-Man ask'd a Beggar if he were not ashamed to hold out his Hand to every Body that he met and beg Money The Beggar answered It is better to hold out the Hand to obtain a Farthing than to have it cut off for robbing a Penny 113. A Merchant having had a considerable Loss forbad his Son to speak of it to any Body the Youth promis'd to obey but ask'd what Advantage he should have by his Silence The Father answer'd that thereby we shall only have one Misfortune to bear instead of two viz. the Loss it self and our Neighbours rejoicing at it 114. A certain young Man who had made a great progress in his Studies but naturally â—imorous and reserv'd being at a time among other Students did not speak one word His Father thereupon says to him Son why don't you also show us something of what you know The young Man answered Because I am afraid that something be also ask'd at me that I know not 115. Galen seeing a base common Fellow treat a Man of Learning in a scurrilous manner said concerning the Learned Man that he would not have had any thing to do with the other if he had been really a Man of Letters Observation Galen was not only a Physician but a great Philosopher and therefore we have no Reason to wonder that Saadi should have mentioned this witty Saying of his which he might have learned from some Greek Book translated into Arabick or from some Learned Christian in his Travels 116. The Courtiers of Sultan Mahomet Sebecteghin ask'd at Hassan de Meimend Grand Vizier to that Prince what the Sultan said to him concerning a certain Affair The Vizier begg'd their Pardon saying that he would take care how he inform'd those of any thing who knew every thing They replied You are Minister of State and the Sultan will not stoop so low as to communicate to such as we what he will communicate to you The Vizier rejoin'd that 's because he knows that I will tell it to no Body and therefore you don't do well to ask me such Questions Observation Meimend is a City of Khorassan the Birth-place of the Grand Vizier to Sultan Mahomet Sebecteghin 117. Saadi says also in speaking of himself that he was about buying a House but not fully resolved on it when a certain Jew said to him I am one of the Elders of the Quarter you cannot make Application to a fitter Man than my self to tell you what that House is buy it upon my word I 'll engage to you that it has no fault Whereupon I answered him says Saadi it has one great one viz. to have such a Neighbour as you Observation That though the Mahometans have a great Aversion for all those who are not of their Religion yet they hate the Jews more than they do the Christians and therefore it was that Saadi was unwilling to hire an House in that Quarter where there were Jews 118. A Poet going to see a Captain of Robbers repeated some Verses which he had made in his Commendation but instead of being pleas'd with his Verses he ordered him to be strip'd and chas'd out of the Village and set the Dogs after him The Poet stoop'd to take up a Stone to defend himself against the Dogs but it was frozen so hard that he could not pull it up whereupon the Poet said These Highway-Men are wicked People they let loose the Dogs and fasten the Stones Observation The Author of Gulistan adds that this witty Saying made the Captain of the Highway-Men laugh who heard it from a Window so that he call'd to the Poet to ask what he pleas'd and he should have it The Poet answered him If you have a mind to do me a Kindness I demand no more but the Garment that you have robb'd me of The Captain of the Highway-Men taking Compassion on him did not only restore his own but gave him another furr'd Vest 119. An Husband lost his Wife who was a great Beauty but her Mother who was very hateful to him dwelt still with him by virtue of a Clause in the Agreement at her Daughter's Marriage in case she survived her A Friend ask'd him How he took with the Loss of his Wife To which he answered That I am not so much troubled that my Wife is dead as that her Mother is alive 120. I lodg'd says the Author of Gulistan with an old rich Man at Diarbekir who never had any Children but one Son who was then in Company the old Man told me that God had often heard his Prayers in a Valley not far from the Town where great Devotion used to be perform'd near a certain Tree His Son who heard those Words said with a low Voice to his Comrades I wish I knew where that Tree were I would go thither and pray for my Father's Death Observation Diarbekir is a great City of Mesopotamia which our Geographers call by the Name of that same City and being upon the Grand Signior's Frontiers towards Persia there 's a Bassa there who hath divers Sangiacs under him 121. The same Author says of himself That by an Excess of youthful Folly and Passion he did once on a time abuse his Mother with ill Language who being vex'd at his bitter Taunts retir'd to a Corner with Tears in her Eyes and said to me Now that you have the Strength of a Lion you have forgot that you were once young as appears by your being unsensible of what I have done for you You would not treat me thus as you do if you remembred the
was the first of that Race of the Kings of Persia who reign'd until such time as they were expell'd by the Mahometans His Father's Name was Sasan whence it came to pass that he and the following Kings were call'd Sasanians according to the Antient History of the Persians or what remains of it in the Arabian Writings 106. Two Sophies of the City of Vasete took Meat of a Butcher upon Credit and did not pay him whereupon he dunn'd them every Day with ill Language which put 'em to mighty Shame but they bore it patiently because they had no Money A certain witty Man who perceiv'd how it was with them told that it was much easier to entertain their Appetites with the hopes of good Cheer than to entertain the Butcher with the hopes of his Pay Observations The Sophies are the most eminent and noted of all the Religious Mahometans both because of their Orthodox Sentiments as to Religion the Regulation of their Life and the Purity of their Morals according to the Original of their Name which signifies Pure and chosen Ones The Kings of Persia of the present Race are also call'd by the Name of Sophi as deriving their Original from Mouca Cassem the seventh of the 12 Imams who died about the Year of the Hegâ—ra 183 and of Christ 799. pretending that the Sect of Ali from which the 12 Imaâ—s are descended is the best and most pure because their Ancestors have always distinguish'd themselves by a singular Zeal for the Mahometan Religion The City of 〈◊〉 was formerly a considerable Town in that Part of Arabia which carries the Name of Erak 107. An officious Mahometan entertain'd a Derviche belonging to a very rich Man and told him he was perswaded that that Man would be very bountiful to him if he were well inform'd of his Poverty nay he was at the trouble himself to go to the rich Man's Gate and procure him Entrance The Derviche went in but seeing the Man melancholy and hanging his Lip he came out again immâ—diately without so much as speaking one word to him His Guide who waited for him ask'd why he came out so speedily To which he answer'd I did not like his Looks I acquit him from all the Charity that ever I expected from him 108. Hatemtai was in his time the most bountiful and freehearted of all the Arabians and being ask'd If ever he had seen or heard of any one Man who had a nobler Heart than himself He answer'd That one Day after I had made a Sacrifice of forty Camels I went out to the Fields with some Arabian Lordâ— and seeing a Man who had gathered a Burden of dry Thorns to burn I ask'd him why he did not go to Hatemtai where there was a great Concourse or People to partake of his Feast he answered me He that can furnish himself Bread by his own Labour needs not be obliged to Hatemtai This Man said he had a nobler Soul than I. 109. A certain King having need of a Sum of Money to give the Tartars to prevent their Incursions ino his Country understood that a Beggar had a very considerable Sum by him and sending for him demanded part of it in loan promising that it should be repaid as soon as the Revenues came in The Beggar answered That it would be very unworthy in his Majesty to defile his Hands with that Money which he had scrap'd together by Begging To which the King replied That he needed not trouble himself about that it was to be given to the Tartars so that it would be such Men such Money Observation These Tartars are those of Grand Tartary who have been always accustomed to make Incursions upon their Neighbours and from them the Crim Tartars though they have been separated a long time do still retain this Custom which hath cost the Germans and Poles so many Thousands of Men since the beginning of the last War 110. The Author of Gulistan from whom we have had some of the preceding Articles speaks of himself in the following Terms I knew says he a Merchant who travelled with a hundred Camels loaden with Merchandize and had forty Slaves and Domesticks to wait upon him One Day he got me along with him into his Ware-house and entertain'd me the whole Night with a Discourse which had no end He told me that he had such a Man for his Partner at Turquestan such and such Funds in the Indies Then he shew'd me a Bond due to him for so much Money in such a Province and told me that he had such a Man bound for such another Sum and then changing his Note he said that he design'd to settle himself in Alexandria because there they had a good Air but correcting himself forthwith No says he I will not go thither the African Sea is too dangerous I have a Mind to take one Journey more and after that will retire to a Corner of the World and leave off Trading I ask'd him what Journey that was He answered that he would carry Sulphur from Persia into China where it is sold at a great Price from thence I will bring China-Ware to sell in Greece and from Greece I will carry Stuffs of Gold to the Indies from the Indies I will bring Steel to Halep from Halep I will trade with Glass into Arabia Foelix and from Arabia Foelix I will carry painted Cloths into Persia and when I have done this I will bid farewel to Trade which is carried on by so many toilsom Journies and spend the rest of my days in a Shop He spoke so much upon this Subject that at last he made himself weary and concluded with an Address to me to tell him something of what I had seen and learn'd in my Travels To which I answered by asking him if he had ever heard what a certain Traveller said when he fell from his Camel in the Desart of Gour viz. That there were only two things which were capable of filling the covetous Man's Eye viz. Sobriety or the Earth which is thrown upon him after his Death Observations This Narrative is not only excellent for the Character which it gives of a Merchant who sets no Bounds to his Avarice but is also curious in imparting to us after what Manner and with what Sorts of Merchandize they trade in the Levant Those long Journies above-mentioned are at this very Day undertaken by Land and oftentimes one Man performs them all and sometimes more Turquestan is a Province of Great Tartary of vast Extent of which the City of Caschgar is the Metropolis It took its Name from the Turks who inhabit the same and from thence it is that vast Swarms of People of that Name have come at different times of which the Turks who do now enjoy the Empire of Constantinople are a part By the African Sea the Author of Gulistan understands the Mediterranean which washes the Coast of Africa on the South And as to his calling it dangerous it
The REMARKABLE SAYINGS APOTHEGMS AND MAXIMS OF THE Eastern Nations Abstracted and translated out of their Books written in the Arabian Persian and Turkish Language With REMARKS By Monsieur Galland who liv'd many Years in those Countries Translated out of French London Printed for Richard Baldwin near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane and William Lindsey at the Angel in Chancery-Lane 1695. THE PREFACE THIS Book is divided into two Parts the first contains the remarkable and witty Sayings of the Eastern Nations and the second their Maxims The Reader who is in any measure acquainted with the Works of the Antients will easily observe that the first Title is the Interpretation of that of Apothegms which Plutarch gave to his Collection of the Remarkable Sayings of the Antient Kings and Captains both Greeks and Romans and Valerius Maximus intitles his Dicta memoratu digna which doubtless is almost the same The Design of Plutarch as he says himself in his Dedication to the Emperor Trajan was to show what was the Genius of those Great Men he speaks of and mine is to set forth both the Genius and Character of the Eastern Nations For as the Apothegms discover the Solidity of Judgment and Vprightness of Heart and the witty Sayings and Repartees the Vivacity and Subtilty of Wit the Reader may perhaps be convinced by the perusing of this Book that the Eastern Nations come nothing short of the Western in Wit and Judgment Vnder the Name of Eastern People I include not only the Arabians and Persians but also the Turks and Tartars and almost all the other Nations of Asia to the Borders of China both Mahometans and Pagans The Sayings of Ginghiz-khan and Oghtaï-khan which I have related prove that the Turks and Tartars who are the same with the Scythians have still to this day almost the same Genius and Customs mentioned by Quintus Curtius and other antient Writers I attribute the Maxims which make the second Part of this Work to all those Nations because they are abstracted not only from the Books of the Arabians but also from those of the Persians and Turks tho there may be some difference amongst them the Authors following the particular Genius of their own Country I do not design to collect all the remarkable or witty Sayings of the Eastern Nations no more than Plutarch or Valerius Maximus did those of the Greek and Roman that Vndertaking would be too great but if this Collection be kindly received I shall publish a second Volume having several other Original Pieces to peruse The Arabian Persian and Turkish Books which I have read or the Observations that I made my self while I travelled into those Countries have furnished me with the Remarks that I thought necessary for the understanding of this Work I have made use of them specially to denote the Times wherein the Caliphs Sultans and other Princes whom I mention liv'd and to make it the more easy and plain have reduc'd the Years of the Hegira to the Years of the Nativity of Jesus Christ I have abstracted this Work partly from printed Books and partly from Manuscripts the Books are the History of the Caliphs by Elmacinus the History of the Dynasties by Alvu-lfarage both in Arabic and the Gulistan which is a Work of Saadi in Persian The Manuscripts are the Baharistan of Giami in Persian writ after the Model of the Gulistan the Instruction of a King of Mazanderan to his Son in Persian of which I give a pretty large Account in my Remarks the Abridgment of the Mahometan History written in Persian under the Title of select History translated into the Turkish Language another Abridgment of the same Story written also in Persian by Ommia Jahia Cazbin the History of Ginghiz-khan in Persian by Mirkhond which makes part of his general History containing six Volumes in Folio the History in Persian of Schahroch Son of Tamerlan and of his Successors by Abdurrizzac Effendi the universal History of Mehemmed Lari in Persian of which there is a Translation in the King's Library the Oâ—â—oman History since Sultan Osman to Sultan Selim the first inclusively written by Cogia Effendi named otherwise Saad-eddin Son of a Favourite of the said Selim the History of the Turkish Poets by Letifi who liv'd in the Reign of Sultan Soliman and lastly a Collection of witty Sayings and Jests in Turkish amongst which I have chosen those that seemed to me really witty and that were not against Morals or good Manners The Maxims are extracted out of those that Orpenius and Golius have promiscuously publish'd with the Arabic Proverbs out of two Manuscripts one that I brought with me from Constantinople and the other which is to be found in the Library of the late Monsieur Thevenot I have also made use of the Indian Tables of Bidpaï written in Turkish and Persian and of several other Books of Morals both Arabian Turkish and Persian in Prose and in Verse I could enlarge my self upon the Natural Parts of the Eastern Nations but I leave it to the Reader to judg himself if they deserve the hard Name of Barbarous which some People have bestowed upon them and if they have not as much right to lay Claim to Wit and Judgment as any Nation of Europe ADVERTISEMENT MIscellanea Or a choice Collection of Wise and Ingenious Sayings c. of Princes Philosophers Statesmen Courtiers and others out of several Antient and Modern Authors For the pleasurable Entertainment of the Nobility and Gentry of both Sexes By G. M. Printed for William Lindsey at the Angel near Lincolns-Inn in Chancery-Lane The Remarkable Sayings Apothegms and Maxims of the Eastern Nations with Observations upon them 1. A Mahometan consulted Aïscheh one of Mahomet's Wives asking her Advice about the Conduct of his Life Aïscheh answered Acknowledg God command your Tongue refrain your Anger get Knowledg stand firm in your Religion abstain from Evil converse with good People cover the Faults of your Neighbour assist the Poor with your Alms and expect Eternity for your Reward Observation According to the Mahometan Histories Mahomet had fourteen Wives amongst whom was this Aïscheh Daughter to Aboubekir the first Successor of Mahomet She liv'd nine Years with him and died a long time after under the Reign of Caliph Maavia she being then 65 Years old 2. Hormouzan whom the King of Persia had intrusted with the Government of Schouschter the Capital City of the Province of Khousistan fought the Arabs seventy times when they conquer'd the Kingdom of Persia But at last the Arabs took him Prisoner and brought him to Omar the second Successor of Mahomet who order'd him to be put to death Before his Execution Hormouzan call'd for Drink but the Terror of Death had so much seiz'd upon him that he had not the Strength to drink the Water that was brought him Whereupon Omar bid him take Heart for he had nothing to fear till he had drank but seeing he drunk not he commanded him to be beheaded How cry'd
Son of Bakht Jeschoua mentioned before He was very young when he cur'd Haroun Erreschid of that Apoplexy which was the first thing that rais'd his Fortune at the Court of the Caliphs 163. The Caliph Mamoun Son of Haroun Erreschid took great Delight in giving Pardons and said If it were known what Pleasure I have in pardoning all Criminals would make Application to me to feel the Effects of my Clemency Observation Mamoun was not only a sweet-natur'd mild and merciful Prince as appears by this Piece of his History but also very liberal and skilful in the Art of Governing and was moreover the most learned of all the Caliphs and being an Admirer of Philosophy and the Mathematicks caus'd several Books of those Sciences to be translated from the Greek and Syriack into Arabick He was also well versed in Astronomy and ordered several Astronomical Tables to be composed which were called Mamoun's Tables 164. The Caliph Vathik Billah being at the Point of Death said All Men are alike and become equal at the Hour of Death from which Kings Subjects nor no Man is exempted and then addressing himself to God said Thou whose Kingdom doth never perish have Mercy upon him whose Kingdom is perishing Observation The Caliph Vathik Billah was Grandson to Caliph Haroun Erreschid and Nephew to Mamoun His Father to whom he succeeded was called Mutassem Billah He was valiant and bountiful and being a Lover of Poesie he always made Poets welcome to his Court and was their Benefactor He reigned only five Years and some Months and died in the Year of the Hegira 231. and of Jesus Christ 845. 165. The Caliph Muterid Billah stood in need of Money to prepare for a Campagne and was informed that one of the Magi who dwelt at Bagdat had great Sums in ready Cash and having called for him demanded a Loan of the same to which the Wise Man answered that it was at his Service Upon this Frankness the Caliph ask'd him if he had an entire Confidence in him and if he was not afraid that he would never restore him his Money He answered God hath entrusted you with the Government of his Servants who acknowledg your Power and the Publick believe that they may trust your Word and that you govern with Justice and after all this can I be afraid to trust you with my Estate Observation This Caliph died at Bagdat in the 289th Year of the Hegira and the 901st of Christ 166. Gelal-Eddevlett Melec Schach one of the first Sultans of the Family of the Selgiucides who reign'd in Persia did one Day say his Prayers to Mesched in the Khorassan at the Tomb of Ali Riza when one of his Brothers rebelled against him as he came from Prayers he ask'd of his Grand Vizier if he could guess what he had prayed to God for The Grand Vizier answered You have prayed that he would grant you the Victory against your Brother The Sultan replied I did not pray so but thus Lord if my Brother be more sit to govern the Mussulmans than I give him the Victory against me but if I be more proper than he grant me the Victory against him Observation Those Sultans or Kings called Selgiucides take their Denomination from Selgiuc the General of a mighty Inundation of Turks who passed the Oxus into the Khorassan in the Reign of Mahmoud Sebecteghin who is mentioned before Dogrulbeg Grandson to Selgiouc began their Empire which was divided into divers Branches in the 429th of the Hegira and 1037th of Jesus Christ Some Authors have very corruptly called him Tangrolipix and Monsieur Bespier in his Notes upon Ricaut's State of the Ottoman Empire hath taken a great deal of Pains to find out the Correction of it that of Togrulberg is the best and he might have also found out Dogrulbeg if he had known that the Turks pronounce the Arabick Ti as D but this he could not know for the little Turkish Language which he understood he learn'd in Normandy Nor does that Word come from Tangri which signifies God in Turkish as he pretends but from Drogu which signifies Right and Dogrulbeg signifies the right Lord. Gelal-Eddevlett Melek-Schach which another Author calls Gelal-Eddin was the third Sultan after Dogrulbeg and died in the Year of the Hegira 485. and of Jesus Christ 1092. 167. The Caliph Soliman who was of comely Personage look'd upon himself in a Glass in Presence of one of his Ladies and said I am the King of the Youth The Lady replied You would be the finest Merchandize in the World and the most sought after if you were to live always but Man is not eternal and I know no other fault in you but that you are mortal Observation The Caliph Soliman was the 7th of the Race of the Ommiades who did reign before the Abassides He died in the 99th Year of the Hegira Anno Christi 717. 168. At his Return from the unsuccessful Siege of Moussol Salahh-din King of Egypt and Syria fell into a very dangerous Distemper which had well nigh cost him his Life Nassir Eddin Mehemmed his Cousin hearing the News of it wrote forthwith to Damascus from Hims where he himself was to sollicite those whom he thought his Friends to order it so that he might be declared Sultan in case Salahhdin should die But Salahhdin recovering a little time after Nassir Eddin Mehemmed fell sick and died himself Salahhdin who had been informed of his Procedure seiz'd all his Estate and Riches and some time after had a Desire to see his Son whom he had left behind him of about ten Years of Age who being brought before him the Sultan knowing that there was Care taken of his Education ask'd of him what part of the Alcoran he was reading To the Surprize of all that were about him he answered wittily and boldly that he was at that Verse which says that those who devour the Estates of Orphans are Tyrants Observations Salahhdin is that Saladin who is so famous in our Histories of the Croisades and retook Jerusalem in the 585th of the Hegirah and of Christ 1189 four Years after the Siege of Moussoul here spoken of which was the first Enterprize that ever miscarried with him When he came before the Place Sultan Atahek Azzeddin Masond demanded Peace and offered to quit him all Syria but Salahhdin being over-ruled by his Council continued the Siege which Azzeddin sustained with so much Vigour that he was constrained to raise it with Shame and retire after having made a Peace far less advantageous than that which he had rejected Hims is the Name which the Arabians give to the City of Emessa in Syria 169. In a Battel which Ginghizkhan won the Officers of the contrary Army did Wonders which retarded his Victory for some time Ginghizkhan seeing them said with Admiration that a Monarch who hath such brave Fellows in his Service may live very securely Observations There are none almost but those few who understand the Oriental Books
He said to his Son Mirza Vlug-Beg when he made him King of Maverannahar or Transoxiana and Turquestan The Almighty made us this high Present which we now enjoy and hath gratified us with that absolute Authority that I do at this time possess without any regard to my Weakness and Faults A Soveraign who is convinced of the Worth of an Empire ought in the first place to return Thanks for his Kindnesses He ought to be tender and compassionate towards all those who are in Adversity and to remember what God said to the Prophet David whom he establish'd as his Vice-gerent upon the Earth To render Justice to Men. Entertain Learned Men with Veneration and Respect and don 't go astray from the Precepts of the Law nor of those who have explained it Maintain those who are the Interpreters thereof in their Honours and Dignities and do your utmost to make the Judges do their Duty according to the Laws Take the people of the Country under your particular Protection so that none may vex them but that on the contrary they may have all manner of Justice done them for it 's they who contribute to the Support and Encrease of the Revenues of the State Govern your Souldiery with pleasant Looks and good Words for they are the Strength and Stay of your Kingdom Take care also that they be duly paid and augment the Salaries of such as signalize themselves and expose their Lives for the Preservation of the Publick but chastise those who come short of their Duty In fine take care that you never depart from Justice upon any Occasion and entrust your Frontiers to none but Governors of great Experience who will take care to keep the Fortresses in good Repair Observations Vlugbeg the eldest of Schahrob's Sons reigned a long time in the Kingdom of Maverannaâ—ar and Turquestan during his Father's time After his Death he had some Wars to maintain his Right of Succession to the Country which his Father left him at his Death but he was quickly disturb'd in his Possession by Factions which were form'd against him and particularly by the Revolt of his own Son Mirza-Abdulletif for that unnatural Wretch made War upon him overcame him and committed a Patricide on his Person so much the more detestable that he had not only acquitted himself well as to his Valour but was also bountiful wise and learned by which and his Love for learned Men he obtain'd a Reputation which distinguish'd him from all the Princes of his time In effect the Observator which he built at Samareand will perpetuate his Fame for thither he drew Mathematicians and Astronomers who from their Observations publish'd Astronomical Tables The Alcoran being the Foundation of the Religion and Civil Laws of the Mahometans the Interpreters of that Book have acquired great Authority amongst them and therefore Schahroh who understood it very well and observ'd religiously what it contain'd recommended it to his Son to have a Veneration for them and to maintain them in their Honours and Dignities as one of the principal Means to get the Love of the People who cannot bear it with Patience to see the Chiefs of their Religion and those who have the Administration of the same despised and ill-treated 187. That same Schahroh said to Mirza Mehemmed Gehangir one of his Nephews when he gave him a considerable Principality on the Condition before mentioned To the end that you may carry your self as you ought consider that God never deprives those who do Good of the Reward which they deserve Be merciful and good towards those who depend upon you because they are God's Creatures Command your Officers not to treat them harshly but to cherish the Poor and to observe the Laws and Statutes And as to your own particular Concern do nothing but with Prudence and Wisdom and set the good Advice which I give always before you 188. He said also to Mirzakidon another of his Nephews to whom he gave the Kingdom of Candahar with its Dependancies Exercise Justice and be not guilty of Vexation Injustice nor Tyranny for that is the way to ruine your self Forget not that Kingdoms which are govern'd by just and equitable Princes altho Infidels continue a long time but that the Reigns of Tyrants is never of long Duration Behave your self with Moderation and Wisdom in every thing Take Care of your Reputation and to draw the Blessing of your Subjects upon you by your Liberality and Bounty and thus you may reign a long time Observations Mirza Kidon was the Son of Mirza Pir Mehemmed Son of Mirza Gehangir the eldest Son of Timour and Mirza Gehangir died while his Father was alive After his Death Timour gave the Kingdom of Candahar to Mirza Pir Mehemmed who made the Town of Balkh his Capital but his Reign continued not long after Timour's Death for he was assassinated by Pir Ali Taz whom he entrusted with the Administration of his Government Schahroh chastised this Rebel and in the first place gave Balkh and its Dependances to Mirza Kidon and some time after the Kingdom of Candahar But this Prince did not follow Schahroh's Advice as he ought to have done He rebelled some Years after but was taken and Schahroh contented himself with keeping him in Prison The Mahometans perswade themselves that their Religion is true and know that just Kings of other Religions as Christians and Pagans do reign and have reigned a long time and therefore it is that they made this Maxim which Schahroh makes use of here to perswade Mirza Kiâ—on that being of the true Religion as he believ'd his Reign should à sortiori be of a long Continuance by a good Administration of Justice 189. He said also to Mirza Baikra another of his Kinsmen when he gave him the Countries of Hamadan and Loristan Exercise Justice over the People with whom I entrust you govern them peaceably and gently and take care that no Man attempt to treat them harshly Take the same Care of the Poor and Mean that you do of the Rich and Great Protect the Merchants and Tradesmen they are the Birds of the Commonwealth and bring Plenty into the same by their Traffick and Commerce Observations Mirza Baikra took no more care to improve Schahroh's Instructions than Mirza Kidon did and became a Rebel also like him But Schahroh was also indulgent to him as he was to Mirza Kidon In calling the Merchants the Birds of the Common-wealth Schahroh alluded to those which transport Merchandize from Kingdom to Kingdom as is still practised in the Levant 190. He said moreover to Mirza Ibrahim Sultan his Son when he establish'd him King of Persia in the City of Schiraz The greatest Glory of a Kingdom consists in having numerous Troops a great Train Following and Equipage but its chief Strength consists in having a good Counsel keeping their Frontiers well fortified the Passes well guarded in preserving their Subjects from Oppression and maintaining Religion Thanks be to God my