largest bazaar; was mounted on a good horse, and accompanied by two servants, and two intimate friends. From every quarter I heard piercing and distressing shrieks; men, women, and children wailing as if some mighty calamity had happened to themselves. Jihon-Khan rode near the wretched Dara; and the abusive and indignant cries vociferated as the traitor moved along were absolutely deafening. I observed some fakirs and several poor people throw stones at the infamous Patan ; but not a single movement was made with a view of delivering the beloved and compassionated prince. When this disgraceful procession had passed through every part of Delhi, the poor prisoner was shut up in one of his own gardens, called Heider-Abad. Aurengzebe was immediately made acquainted with the impression which this spectacle produced upon the public mind, the indignation manifested by the populace against Jihon-Khan, the threats held out to stone the perfidious man, and with the fears entertained of a general insurrection. A second council was consequently convened, and the question discussed, whether it were more expedient to conduct Dara to Gualior, agreeably to the original intention, or to put him to death without further delay. By some it was maintained that there was no reason for proceeding to extremities, and that the prince might safely be taken to Gualior, provided he were attended with a strong escort: Danechmend-Khan, although he and Dara had long been on bad terms, enforced this opinion with all his powers of argument: but it was ultimately decided that Dara should die, and that Sipper-Shekô should be confined in Gualior. At this meeting Rochinara-Begum betrayed all her enmity against her hapless brother, combating the arguments of Danechmend, and exciting Aurengzebe to this foul and unnatural murder. Her efforts were but too successfully seconded by Calil-ullah-Khan and Shistâ-Khan, both of them old enemies of Dara; and by Takarrub-Khan, a wretched parasite, recently raised to the rank of omrah, and formerly a physician. He was originally distinguished by the appellation of Hakin-Davoud, and had been compelled to fly from Persia. This man rendered himself conspicuous in the council by his violent harangue. "Dara ought not to live," he exclaimed, "the safety of the state depends upon his immediate execution; and I feel the less reluctant to recommend his being put to death, be cause he had abjured his religion, and avowed himself a kaffer. If it be sinful to shed the blood of such a person, may the sin be visited upon my own head!" an imprecation which was not allowed to pass unregarded; for Divine justice overtook this man in his career of wickedness: he was soon disgraced, declared infamous, and sentenced to a miserable death. The charge of this atrocious murder was intrusted to a slave of the name of Nazir, who had been educated by Shan-Jehan, but experienced some ill-treatment from Dara. The prince, apprehensive that poison would be administered to him, was employed with Sipper-Shekô in boiling lentils, when Nazir and four other ruffians entered his apartment. "My dear son," he cried out, "these men are come to murder us!" He then seized a small kitchen knife, the only weapon in his possession. One of the murderers having secured Sipper-Shekô, the rest fell upon Dara, threw him down, and while three of the assassins held him, Nazi decapitated his wretched victim. The head was instantly carried to Aurengzebe, who commanded that it should be placed on a dish, and that water should be brought. The blood was then washed from the face, and when it could no longer be doubted that it was indeed the head of Dara, he shed tears, and said, "Ah, Bedbakt! unhappy man! let this shocking sight no more offend my eyes, but take away the head, and bury it in Humaioon's sepulchre." [IN 1786 was published, "An Ode to Superstition, with other Poems." This was the first work of Samuel Rogers, who was born in 1763, and died in 1855. Rogers, himself a banker of the city of London, was the son of a city banker. He received a liberal education; his taste was assiduously cultivated. At a time which preceded the early days of Coleridge, and Words worth, and Southey, and Campbell, Rogers produced When, with a Reaumur's skill, thy curious mind Its subtle web-work, or its venom'd sting: Point out the green lane rough with fern and flowers; And the white front thro' mingling elms reveal'd. In vain, alas, a village friend invites To simple comforts, and domestic rites, Still must my partial pencil love to dwell Oft o'er the mead, at pleasing distance, pass, When April verdure springs in Grosvenor Square, Tho' moons and flambeaux trail their broadest blaze; There let her strike with momentary ray, Here no state-chambers in long line unfold, Bright with broad mirrors, rough with fretted gold; Small change of scene, small space, his home requires, Who leads a life of satisfied desires. What tho' no marble breathes, no canvas glows, Be mine to bless the more mechanic skill, Here from the mould to conscious being start Soon as the morning dream my pillow flies, But could thine erring friend so long forget |