such a sum except Amara Bin Humza, and with him he was on bad terms. However, being closely pressed, he sent me, then a lad, to request the loan of him, with assurance of returning the money when his rents should come in. I went to his palace, and being admitted, found him sitting in a sumptuous apartment, spread with the richest carpets, splendidly dressed, and perfumed with musk. To my obeisance he made no return; and when I delivered my father's message, was silent. I was struck with confusion. At length he 'exclaimed, 'How long wilt thou stare at me?' I retired heartless, and wandered about some time before I returned home, where, on my arrival, I was surprised to see at the gateway a number of loaded camels, but still more so on hearing that they had brought the sum my father had requested of Amara. My father paid all demands, and returned to his government. When the revenues were received, he sent me to repay the sum he had borrowed. I repaired again to the palace of Amara, who received me as haughtily as before; but on my offering him payment, angrily exclaimed, 'Does thy father think I am his money broker? Begone. God hath not given him a generous heart.' I returned home with the money."

Jaffier, with the liberality of his brother, was condescendingly affable to all, learned, and a most elegant writer. He was prime vizier to Haroon al Rasheed, and enjoyed more of his confidence than the rest of his brothers. Eesauk of Mousel relates of him the following anecdote :

"I once, "" says he, "went to pay my respects to Haroon; but, understanding that he was reposing, would have returned home, when Jaffier sending for me, said, Suppose you join me in a merriment, and a cheerful glass?' I assented, and he conducted me to his private apartment, where the requisites of mirth were prepared; and after we had changed our dresses for light vestments of fine silk, and the singing girls and musicians were introduced, he sent word to his porter to admit no one but Abd al Malek, meaning a person who was one of his convivial intimates. When some bumpers had gone round, and the wine had begun to operate upon our heads, all at once was ushered into the room Abd al Malek Hashimmee, a first cousin of the Caliphs, to the great confusion of Jaffier, who was ashamed to be seen in such a state by so respectable a personage. Abd al Malek perceiving his distress, sat down without ceremony, asked for a collation, and when he had caten, though he had never condescended to drink wine at the

banquets of the Caliph, filled a glass, drank it off, and, disrobing himself, put on a silken vest like ours. Jaffier, emboldened by such gracious demeanour, kissed the hand of Abd al Malek, and said, Will my lord inform me what may be his commands to his slave, in thus honouring him with a visit, that I may gird the loins of my life in obeying them? Abd al Malek replied, 'It is not fair, that in this assembly I should trouble thee with requests, or cloud the joyful heart with the mist of sorrow.' Jaffier was importunate, till at length Abd al Malek said, 'Apparently the mind of the Caliph is displeased with me, and I wish his dis gust to be removed.' That can easily be effected,' replied Jaffier, 'command me in something else.' I owe four millions of dirrims,' continued the prince, and wish the Caliph to discharge my debts.' 'He will pay them to-morrow,' said Jaffier, 'but what a trifle is this! mention something more important.' Thou knowest,' answered Abd al Malek, that my son Eesauk is a young man of abilities. Through thy patronage, perhaps, the Caliph may look upon him with an eye of favour.' Our sovereign, the Commander of the Faithful,' continued Jaffier, will confer upon him the government of Egypt, and give him his daughter Aleeah in marriage.'

Eesauk of Mousel remarks, "I thought to myself that Jaffier was speaking from the fumes of intoxication, and wondered how he would perform so many high promises, but on going the next day to the palace of the Caliph, I found the chiefs of the Ulema assembled in the audience chamber; and soon after, the prince Abd al Malek entering, Haroon received him graciously, and said to him, My displeasure towards thee is changed to favour, I have resolved to marry my daughter Aleeah to thy son Eesauk, and appoint him governor of Egypt, and have ordered my treasurer to discharge thy debts.' Jaffier had repaired to the Caliph early in the morning, informed him of his last night's adventure, and prevailed upon Haroon to do as he had promised."

Mahummud, the third son of Yiah Bermeki, was a man of genius, but devoted to pleasure, and fond of retirement. Mouseh, the fourth brother, in valour and conduct as a general, was unrivalled. From the accession of Haroon al Rasheed to the Caliphat, till the twenty-first year of his reign, in which year his mind changed towards them, the administration of all the affairs of the empire was vested in Yiah Bermeki, and his illustrious sons. Various are the causes assigned by historians for the sudden displeasure of the Caliph

against this family, of which the following is one.

"Haroon being jealous of the influence of Yiah Bin Abdallah, a descendant of Ali,* committed him to the custody of Jaffier Bermeki, with orders to hold him in the strictest confinement. After a long imprisonment, the venerable Yiah, fearing that Haroon in the end would take away his life, besought Jaffier, saying, " Fear God, nor let thyself be numbered with those on whom the prophet will be revenged in the day of judgment, for murdering his sacred posterity. The Almighty knows that I have committed no fault worthy of death." Jaffier was affected by the speech of the holy Syed, and, having released him, caused him to be conducted by his confidential servants to a place of safety. The intelligence of this generous conduct was soon conveyed by the enemies of the minister to Haroon, who one day inquired after Yiah. Jaffier replied, "He is confined in a close and dark dungeon." "Canst thou swear so by my head and life?" said the Caliph. Jaffier, upon this, guessed that Haroon was informed of the truth, and said, "By thy head and life it is not so; for, as I knew that Yiah was old and feeble, and could do nothing to occasion alarm to the Commander of the Faithful, I ventured to release him." The Caliph was enraged, but dissembling his anger, replied, "Thou hast done well." When Jaffier retired, Haroon was overheard to mutter to himself, "May God destroy me, if I do not speedily put thee to death." The principal cause, however, of Haroon's inveterate displeasure against this celebrated family, is thus related. The Caliph was fond of conviviality, and the company of persons of wit and repartee, for which none

Yiah Bin Abdallah, was a great-grandson of Ali,

were more remarkable than his own sister, the princess Abbassia, and the Vizier Jaffier. Haroon was therefore desirous to have them together at his banquets without scandal, and said to the unfortunate minister, “I love thee with a brotherly affection, and have the highest regard for my sister Abbassia, whom I will bestow upon thee in marriage, that I may have the satisfaction of enjoying the conversation of both together without offence to our sacred law, but on this condition, that you never meet her but in my presence." Jaffier, dreading such a dangerous connexion, at first declined, but at length accepted, the offer of the Caliph. The nuptial ceremony took place, after which the illustrious couple met constantly at the apartments of Haroon; but as the Vizier was in the bloom of youth, and had a fine person, the unfortunate Abbassia was immersed in love, and wished to enjoy the company of her husband in private. She contrived to express her regard by letters and messengers, but Jaffier sent back the former, and rebuked the latter; upon which Abbassia had recourse to Attaba, the mother of her husband, to whom she made presents of valuable jewels, and prevailed upon her to bring about the desired interview.

Attaba one day addressed Jaffier, saying, "I have heard of a most beautiful slave, and mean to purchase her for thee, as a present.' ." The son thanked her, after which she requested Abbassia to be prepared when she should send for her. Upon the night of Friday, the princess was introduced as a slave to the bed-chamber of Jaffier, who had returned home from the palace flushed with wine. The princess would not unveil till the morning, when she said, "Behold thy handmaid Abbassia!" Jaffier was at once delighted, and filled with dread of the consequences of their meeting. When the

ed when mostofthat unfortunate family had been put to the sword. He had privately formed a consider. able party in the province of Ghilan, on the Caspian Sea, and the revolt grew to such a head, that he was at last openly declared Caliph. Haroon, who was much alarmed at this event, sent Fuzzul at the head

of fifty thousand men to reduce the rebels. This general, leaving his troops in Chorasan, went alone to Yiah, and, by his prudent conduct, succeeded in persuading him to abandon his party land submit to the Caliph, who on his part, by a writing under his own hand, witnessed by his grandees, promised to treat Viah with all the respect due to his birth, and not to take the least step to deprive him of life or liberty. Yiah accepted the offers of Haroon; the rebels, being left without a head, soon dispersed, and Fuzzul obtained a bloodless victory. Haroon at first treated Yiah well, gave him an apartment in his palace, with a suitable revenue and attend. ance; but these happy days were of no long duration, the Caliph, either through the inconsistency of his temper, or at the instigation of some of his courtiers, threw Yiah into prison, to the great mor

tification of the Bermeki, who all considered themselves as pledged for the observance of the Sovereign's word.

dent mother," "Alas! thou hast sold thy son too cheaply, but be prepared now for sudden calamity." Abbassia, after some time, brought forth a son, who, as soon as born, was sent privately to Mecca, under the care of a faithful eunuch named Reaush, and a nurse called Berberere.

Some time afterwards, Zobeide, the principal wife of the Caliph, became displeased with Yiah Bermeki, who had the charge of the palace, and had insisted on the gates of the interior courts being locked early in the evening, which prevented the eunuchs and domestics of the Haram from ingress and egress as they wished; of which they complained to their royal mistress, and Zobeide, to the Caliph. Haroon observed, "He was convinced Yiah had acted as he judged most

"If so," replied Zobeide, in a rage," why does he not prevent his own son from defil. ing it?" Haroon demanded an explanation of her assertion; when the empress informed him of the stolen interviews between Abbassia and Jaffier. The Caliph was confounded, but demanded what proof she had of the accusation. "What can be a clearer one than a child?" said the malicious Zobeide, "who is now alive at Mecca." "Does any person beside thyself know this secret?" rejoined Haroon. "All the women of the harem," answered the empress. The Caliph made no reply, but on the next day prepared for a pilgrimage to Mecca, on which he soon after departed. Although Abbassia had time to have the child conveyed to a place of safety in Yemen before her brother's arrival, the Caliph at Mecca obtained proof of the unfortunate interviews, and from that instant resolved on the destruction of the Bermeki. On his return from the holy city, after a short stay at Bagdad, he repaired to a country palace, called Anbar, taking Jaffier with him, and leaving Sindee Bin Shahick in command of the metropolis.

On the first of Suffir,* in the twenty-first year of his reign, the Caliph gave an enter. tainment, more splendid then any yet beheld, to his courtiers, among whom he distinguish. ed the unfortunate Jaffier by numberless favours, and in the evening dismissed him graciously. The minister invited home with him a select party, to pass the night in conviviality and mirth. When the court was broken up, Haroon suddenly called to him the attendant Yassir in private, and said, "Go immediately, and bring me the head of Jaffier." Yassir was confounded, and trembled; but the Caliph, in a rage, order ed him to depart, and execute his commands, or he would put him to instant death. Yassir departed, and entering the palace of Jaffier, rushed into the private apartment, without asking leave as usual.

The minister, alarmed at his boldness, inquired the cause of the intrusion; when he mentioned the commission he had received from the Caliph. Jaffier said, "Possibly this order may have been given by the Commander of the Faithful when in a state of intoxication: retire at present, and tell him thou hast killed me. If in the morning he should appear to regret it, well; but if not, come and execute his commands." Yassir refused this request; but Jaffier prevailed upon him to accompany him to the enclosure of the Caliph's apartment. Yassir entered, when the Caliph said, "What hast thou done?" "I have executed Jaffier," replied

In the Christian calendar, July the 21st. 2D. SERIES.-NO. 8. VOL. I.

he.

"Where is the head of the traitor?" exclaimed Haroon. "I have left it without," answered Yassir. Bring it me immediately," cried the Caliph. The executioner retired, and in an instant struck off the head of this great man, so illustrious for his high qualities and distinguished virtues, and cast it bleeding at the feet of Haroon; who, after examining it for a moment, commanded Yassir to call into his presence certain attendants. When they appeared, he ordered them to put to death the unhappy instrument of his vengeance, exclaiming, in a paroxysm of rage and despair, “I cannot bear to look on the murderer of Jaffier." Thus fell this celebrated man at the age of thirty-seven, nearly eighteen years of which he had passed in the highest confidence, favour, and glory.

Jaffier seems to have had some forebodings of his misfortune, for it is said of him, that a short time before his death, he was one day, in a contemplative mood, looking from one of the windows of his palace, when he saw a very old domestic sweeping the court below. He called to him, and said, "What is the reason that princes and people of wealth are generally short-lived, while such as you attain mostly to old age?" "It is," said the old man, "because God gives his bounty to them all at once, but to us by slow degrees." Jaffier was so pleased with the remark that he gave him three hundred dirrims. Not long after, he saw a young man employed in the same business, and inquired what was become of the aged sweeper. "He is dead," replied the youth; and Jaffier, calling to mind what he had said, predicted his own downfall, which happened shortly after.

Not only did Jaffier himself have forebodings of his fate, but it is related, in the Mirraut al Jinnaun, that Sindee Bin Shahick, whom the Caliph left governor of Bagdad when he took Jaffier to Anbar, used to tell the following remarkable dream :

66

"I was sleeping in the upper chamber of a country house, situated westerly, near Bagdad, when, lo! in a dream, I beheld Jaffier, son of Yiah, in garments of a saffron dye, who recited the following verses :

Not long since, from Hujjoon to Suffa no crowd assembled, nor company met from distant parts at Mecca, but we were the favourite themes of their discourse; yet the obscurity of night hath overtaken us, misfortune, and ruin.' I awoke instantly, and related my dream to one of my confidential attendants, who said it was the effect of indigestion, and could have no meaning. I tried to repose again, but had not closed my eyes, when I heard a loud knocking at my gate, and, rising up, ordered it to be opened, fitting for the safety of the imperial honour; 152.-VOL. XIII.

3 B

when, behold! Sullum Abrush, a confidential domestic of the Caliph, entered my chamber; at the sight of whom I was alarm ed, supposing that he might have brought a sentence against myself. He saluted me, and, sitting down, delivered me a note, sealed with the impression of the signet which Haroon wore upon his finger. Its contents were as follows:- When this note reaches thee, repair instantly with Sullum, and, arresting Yiah, confine him in the dungeon formerly allotted to Munsoor, the heretic; then despatch Madameh to seize Fuzzul, and send parties to imprison the whole family of Bermeki, male and female, young and old, however distantly related.'"

The historian continues: When Sindee had received this order, he proceeded to execute it, and cast Yiah, his son Fuzzul, and all the family of Bermeki, into prison. The wretched old man lingered nearly two years in confinement; and the unhappy Fuzzul, after surviving his father some time, also expired in a dungeon, and mingled with the assembly of the grave. Not a single relative of this illustrious, wealthy, and munificent family escaped imprisonment or confiscation. The luckless Abbassia, though the sister to the greatest monarch then in the world, was reduced to the necessity of asking alms even in the sight of the palace of her brother. The headless body of the unfortunate Jaffier was conveyed to Bagdad, and hung for some time on a gibbet on the bridge over the river Tigris; but at last it was burned, and his ashes scattered in the air.

As an example of the wonderful mutibility of fortune, as it regarded this extraordinary man, a clerk of the imperial treasury says, "I was one day amusing myself with perusing the accounts of the expenditure of Haroon al Rasheed, and saw the following entries: On such a day, by command of the Caliph, was given to Jaffier, son of Yiah, (may his bounty be eternal!) as a present, such and such sums of money, rich robes, horses, and perfumes. I had the curiosity to cast up the value placed opposite to each article, and found the sum total amount to thirty millions of dirrims. In another leaf of the same account, I saw the entry of the expense for burning the body of the same highly favoured Jaffier, thus expressed: "Disbursed for burning the carcase of Jaffier, son of Yiah, four dirrims and half a dangeh, for pitch and straw."

(To be concluded in our next.)

EUROPE IN THE SUMMER OF 1831.

WAR, the fiend of power, stalks from nation to nation, on a crusade of blood; and

the great powers of Europe, aroused by his alarms, have made awful preparations, and completed their dispositions for the most sanguine and horrible contest Europe ever witnessed. Sixty rounds of ball cartridges have been already issued to the Austrian regiments, who stand ready for the words of command-Present! Fire! But a stronger arm than even the Austrian arm, hath hitherto bridled the chiefs of nations, and, champing the iron curb, they have pranced, rather than careered, in the field of slaughter. Hope has yet whereon to stand: the interposition of Divine Providence may avert the judgment of war, and even out of these conflicting elements peace may ensue. The voice from heaven, crying over Babylon, is, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues !" "For the vial of wrath is about to be poured out upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom will be filled with darkness," Rev. xviii. and xvi.

In Poland alone has the fiend of power glutted himself with blood There, war, sanguine and protracted, has been waged during all the months of preparation for the harvest; and the fields, instead of waving rich with the golden ears of plenty, remain desolate, and clotted with the blood of their cultivators and invaders. The hand of Providence has hitherto arrested the potence of him who raged against this band of patriots; and, although few in number, they yet brave the mighty foe, single-handed amongst the nations, crying to the powers around them, "Who will shew us any good?"

France evinces a disposition to obey the call from heaven, and come out from Babylon. The nucleus of a society is formed for the establishment of Sunday Schools; half a million of Tracts have been distributed by an increasing society, which is fast maturing; a Bible Society, with extended and extending branches, annually deals out the word of God to the people, and promises shortly to overshadow the land; Missionary Societies, for home and foreign instruction to the rising generation, as well as adults of their own and other nations, are formed and forming; and the views of the conductors of these gradually open, with that experience which is inseparable from benevolent action. In watering others, they are watered themselves-in blessing, they are blessed. For the Lord of the vineyard sendeth no man on a warfare at his own charge. To say that the present government of France does not oppose itself to these efforts of its citizens, is a negative praise, which sinks beneath the truth; for it forwards them. Yet awful drawbacks exist in France: systems of in

fidelity, ycleped St. Simonism, &c. unhallowed under hallowed names, draw multitudes from the Roman communion, and make them two-fold more the children of hell than heretofore.

Over Greece, while hope yet lives, we can only mourn. Her senate, on the question, Whether Greece is in a situation to make use of the freedom of the press? has declared in the negative. Refined idolatry has re-introduced paintings in her schools and churches, and prostrated the dignity of wisdom-that wisdom which is from above, before the likenesses of men. Alas, for Greece! When will she awake from the sleep of ages? When will she arise and shine, as she was wont?"Return, O Lord, deliver this people: O save them, for Thy mercy's sake."

The navies of the Sublime Porte float on the Adriatic, and blockade the coasts of Albania. A rebellious pacha, erewhile defeated his utmost potence, and menaced Constantinople; but, in his turn defeated, his capital, Scutari, is menaced, and he who yesterday marched a haughty conqueror, is to-day a prisoner at large amidst his own fortress. Thus does the Crescent waste itself in turmoils with its own chiefs, and effuse the blood of its own citizens, and thus is fed its insatiate thirst for blood.

Russia, equally insatiate with Turkey, has had blood to drink. Its armies are wasting, while they have achieved nothing; and its resources impoverishing, while a frightful disease, the cholera morbus, hurries to the grave her most renowned sons. The Grand Duke Constantine; the commander-inchief, General Field-Marshal Count Diebitsch Sabalkansky, and others of renown, with thousands of citizens and soldiers, have been swept away, and thousands are following in their train. The Imperial city, St. Petersburg, is in extreme consternation, beneath this desolating malady; and the Imperial family have fled for safety to Peterhoff. Wide does this awful pestilence waste the north, and, extending, menace the south also. Wo to the drunkards in Europe! upon you is this destroyer come.

Twenty-three counties in Hungary have memorialized the Emperor of Austria, in favour of the Poles. The mild despotism, as it is denominated, of Austria, may perhaps bend to these remonstrances: but, if Poland is emancipated from the thraldom of Russia, will the remaining provinces continue in bondage to Austria and Prussia? We think not.

Prussia, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, in general, have their day of peace from the sword, but the pestilence, already in Dantzic, menaces these countries on every hand.

Belgium has elected its sovereign, and

Prince Leopold has accepted the throne. Peace at length has taken place between Belgium and Holland; and the Dutch are once more left to plod in commerce, aloof from the turmoils of war.

From her high station, as a Christian empire, is Great Britain about to descend? Her Bible, her Missionary, her Tract, her School, and her Benevolent Societies, of every form and name, are extended and extending; yet her Sovereign speaks, on a high occasion, to his people—and, for the first time, the name of the King of kings and the Lord of Lords, and His providence over the nations of the earth, are unnamed. Amidst the awful turmoil, on the question, who shall, and who shall not elect, the representatives to the legislative assembly, is the wisdom which cometh from above discarded? Behold, the day of the Lord is made a day of feasting; wherein men eat, and drink, and rise up to play: "And to the work of the Lord her nobles put not their necks." Yet Britain ought to weep, yea, tears of brine, for great are the distresses of her sons.

Over Portugal the soul of the pilgrim weeps left a prey to passion, instead of piety; to superstition, in place of veneration; to folly, where wisdom in her Cortes erewhile fostered a people willing and obedient, who now go astray every man after his heart's desire. Her ships, her islands, and her commerce, yea, her very capital, become a prey to an enemy, created by her own misrule-an enemy who longs to become her friend; for France has nothing to gain in such a warfare, equal to the cost of contention.

Spain is internally struggling for existence. Her treasury is exhausted, her resources cut off, and a loan, which is dictated to her by imperious necessity, is all but impracticable. A change of policy would deliver her at once: but who can hope for change, where folly reigns, to the exclusion of wisdom?

Switzerland is armed, and peace is not yet frowned from her domains.

The Italian States are beneath the sword of Austria: if they remain quiet, she forbears; but her armies, ever ready to seize the match, discharge instant vengeance on all agitators. Alas for this land of darkness!

The Eternal City, so named, has recovered from her late perturbation, and promises herself days of peace but danger is at hand, and tribulation. Alas, the angel of wrath is encamped against her, and darkness will cover her!

Of the Two Sicilies, no note has reached us: beneath their young monarch, the path seems smoothed before them, and they dwell at rest.