provided with a lighted match for the purpose of firing the magazine, whenever his master should give the signal. It was upon this volcano, the fatal explosion of which a spark was sufficient to produce, that the Old Lion founded his last hopes. It was in this his purposed tomb that he had shut up his dear and devoted wife; and it was here that he every night repaired to snatch a few moments of repose. "These circumstances, as well as Ali's intentions being known, kept the besiegers at a certain distance from the fatal tower: their courage was not proof against the two hundred thousand pounds weight of powder, which would in a moment have destroyed the existence of thousands. In this painful perplexity, Churchid, after having taken the advice of his council, had it announced to the rebel by one of his officers, sent with a flag of truce, that at length the Sultan had listened to his prayers and earnest solicitations, and had granted to the Vizier Ali his pardon; that he had been empowered by the Divan to grant him a full and entire amnesty, provided he would immediately repair to Constantinople, and there prostrate himself before the feet of his master, who would be satisfied with this act of submission. That upon this condition his highness would permit him to retain his treasures; and that he might even, with a few followers, retire to any part of Asia Minor most agreeable to him, where he might end his days in tranquillity and peace. The Sultan's Seraskier added, that the firman of mercy was on the road; but that previously to its arrival it was necessary that Ali should repair to the Island of the Lake, there to confer with Churchid in person. "In short, to give him a proof of the sincerity of his reconciliation, and a particular guarantee for his safety, the Seraskier consented that every thing in the citadel should remain upon its present footing; that is, that the lighted match should still be entrusted to Selim, and the garrison continue in the same state. "Ali acceded to Churchid's proposals, whether he was blinded to his fate, or whether it was part of his destiny to fall by the same snares which he had so often laid for his own enemies. He embarked with about a dozen of his officers, and repaired to the Island of the Lake. The Sultan's Seraskier had ordered a magnificent apartment to be prepared for Ali in the same monastery of Sotiras where he was accused of having starved to death Mustapha Pacha of Delvino. There for seven days Ali was treated with every mark of respect, and had frequent conferences with the Turkish generals, many of whom had formerly been attached to him. They continually assured him of the certainty of his pardon. Whether Ali was completely deceived, or whether he placed no confidence in the act of clemency and pardon, he still continued to form intrigues, and congratulated himself upon having accepted the first proposals of the Seraskier. His confidence also was increased by knowing that the fatal match was still in the hands of the faithful Selim, and that his treasures, placed upon barrels of gunpowder, would be blown up at the first signal; and that his head, without his riches, would be no gratification to the Grand Seignior, whose L tion. 66 whose only object was his spolia- mind. He then drew from the folds of his vest the half of a ring, the other half of which remained in Selim's possession: Go,' said he, present this to him, and that ferocious lion will be changed into a timid and obedient lamb.' At sight of this token from his master Selim, having prostrated himself, extinguished the match, and was instantly poniarded. The garrison, from whom this murder was concealed, having had the order from Ali Pacha notified to them, immediately hoisted the Imperial standard, and were replaced by a body of Turkish troops. Such was the state of both parties, when, on the morning of the 5th of February, Churchid Pacha despatched to Ali, Hassan Pacha, formerly the Sultan's admiral, to announce to him that his pardon had at length arrived. The Seraskier congratulated him upon it, and persuaded him to answer this proof of the Sultan's clemency by a corresponding token of his ready and perfect submission. He therefore proposed to him, first, to order Selim to give up the lighted match; and, afterwards, to command the garrison to evacuate their last entrenchments, after having planted the imperial ensign upon the battlements; and that then only the Grand Seignior's act of clemency would be declared to him in form. "This demand immediately opened Ali's eyes; but it was now too late. He answered, that upon quitting the fortress, he had ordered Selim to obey his verbal order only; that any other, though even written and signed by his own hand, would be ineffective with that faithful servant; and he therefore requested he might be allowed to go himself and order him to retire.' This permission was refused him; and a long dispute followed, in which all the sagacity and address of Ali Pacha were of no avail. The officers of the Seraskier renewed to him the strongest assurances, swearing upon the Koran that they had no intention to deceive him. "Ali, after hesitating a long time, encouraged by a faint glimmering of hope, and convinced that nothing could now alter his situation, at length made up his "It was now noon, and Ali, who still remained in the Island of the Lake, felt an unusual agitation, accompanied by extreme depression of spirits; he did not, however, suffer his features to betray the internal emotions of his soul. At this awful moment, with a firm and courageous countenance, he sat surrounded by his officers, who were for the most part despe rately wounded, or worn out with fatigue and anxiety. Ali's frequent yawnings, however, proved that nature had not resigned all her claims upon him. But at sight of his arms, his daggers, his pistols, and blunderbuss, the stupor produced by over-excitement cleared from off his brow, and his eye again glistened with its former fire. He was seated fronting the door which led to the conference-chamber, when, about five o'clock in the afternoon, Hassan Pacha, Omer Bey Brioni, the Selictar of Churchid Pacha, and several other officers of the Turkish army entered with their suite: the gloom upon their countenances was of direful presage. At sight of them Ali arose with all the impetuosity of · of youth, and grasping one of his pistols Stop, what is it you bring me?' cried he to Hassan with a voice of thunder. The firman of his Highness: know you not his sacred characters?' (shewing him the signature)- Yes, and I revere them. If so,' said Hassan, submit to your fate, perform your ablutions, and make your prayer to God and the Prophet: your head is demanded.' Ali would not permit him to conclude: My head,' replied he furiously, is not to be delivered up so easily. These words, uttered with astonishing quickness, were accompanied by a pistol-ball, by which Hassan's thigh was broken. With the rapidity of lightning Ali drew forth his other pistols, with which he shot two more of his adversaries dead upon the spot, and already had levelled his blunderbuss loaded with slugs, when the Selictar in the midst of the affray (for Ali's adherents defended their master with the utmost fury) shot him in the abdomen. Another ball struck him in the breast, and he fell, crying out to one of his Sicaires, Go, my friend, despatch poor Vasiliki, that these dogs may not profane her beauteous form.' Scarcely had he uttered these words when he expired, after having killed or wounded four of the principal officers of the Turkish army. Many of his followers had fallen by his side before the apartment was in possession of their adversaries. His head being separated from his body and embalmed, was the next day sent to Constantinople by Churchid Pacha. It arrived there 23d February; the Sultan had it carried to the seraglio, where it was shown to the Divan, after which it was promenaded in triumph through the capital, the whole population of which, intoxicated with joy, were anxious to behold features which, when animated, had inspired so much terror. It was afterwards exhibited at the grand portal of the seraglio, with the decree of death affixed by the side of it. [55] CHAPTER II. VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. THE spirit of enterprize is still upon the increase, and seems determined to leave no corner of the globe unexplored. With an eager eye many seem to be searching for places to visit, and hitherto unknown regions to discover, or to traverse; and with that prompt and instantaneous effort which bespeaks an enthusiasm destined to accomplish its object, they set forth upon their various perilous expeditions. We hail this happy turn and taste of the age: it is a fashion of the best kind, and will not soon, we trust, be changed. In looking at undertakings of this class, one cannot help adverting to captain Parry and his heroic fellow-adventurers. The long period during which he has already been absent, in connection with the extreme hazards of his service, excite considerable and rather feverish feelings in the public mind; although, if he has succeeded, the probability is, that we could not at present have obtained any satisfactory account. A rumour has been very recently in circulation, which appears, however, to have been unfounded, and resulting solely from that intense curiosity with which his undertaking is contemplated, and the proportionate eagerness to obtain the earliest information. If he and his gallant crew have achieved their great purpose, we may at least look for their re-appearance during the present year; after this period we may justly begin to despair. 1. Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia, &c. &c. during the years 1817, 1818, 1819, and 1820. By sir Robert Ker Porter. N our volume of last year, we spoke in terms of commendation of the former part of these travels; from this latter series of which we shall present our readers with copious extracts; presuming that the interest already excited will be in no degree diminished by the perusal of them. "The vale of Oujon is ranked amongst the most fertile in Persia, for natural richness of pasture; and is additionally renowned, under the name of the Vale of Heroes, from having been the favourite haunt of Baharam the Fifth, surnamed the Gour, and his princely train, in hunting the wild ass. The whole valley abounds in springs, some hid under marshy ground, and others open, in the shapes of pools or streams; but it is supposed all their sources communicate at a great depth. In the course of one of his excursions, near the western extremity of the plain, the king suddenly disappeared, leaving his astonished re tinue in the wildest consternation. In the heat of pursuit, Baharam, who was much a-head of his followers, had dashed into a deep still pool of water, and, together with his horse, was instantly swallowed up. But what remains a wonder until this day, though immediate search was made for his body, not the smallest trace of either himself, or the animal that perished with him, was ever to be found. Sir John Malcom, in mentioning this circumstance, corroborates its probability, by recounting the melancholy catastrophe of an European in his own escort, who, although warned not to approach it too near, disappeared at the very spot pointed out as that fatal to the king. "The histories of this beloved monarch of the Persians, whose fame, they declare, is to flourish with the roses of paradise, filling the whole earth with fragrance for ever!' are fraught with highly interesting facts, as well as marvellously romantic legends. Edu cated by the command of his royal father, by an Arab chief, he acquired all the simplicity and hardihood of that dauntless people; adding, to their rough virtues, which seem to belong to the most polished states of civilization alone. mercy;' and therefore, selling the church plate, he employed the money it produced (continues the historian) in the redemption of seven thousand Persian captives; supplied their wants with commiserating liberality, and dismissed them to their native country, to inform Baharam of the true spirit of that religion against whose followers he had raised his arms.' The valour, clemency, and generosity of the Persian monarch are the theme of every Persian pen; his munificence not being limited to favourites at court, nor to its mere vicinity, but extended over all his dominions, encouraging manufactures, and rewarding merit. We find it related in the Zeenut-ulTuarikh, that his liberality in this way was so unbounded, and his own style of living so rigidly simple, that his ministers thought fit to present a memorial to him, imploring his majesty to circumscribe his munificence; and, to remember that these treasures might hereafter be necessary to support the dignity of his throne, and to maintain his power as became the greatest monarch of the East. Baharam made them this reply: 'If I am not to confer benefits on my best subjects, by thus rewarding free men who render obedience to my laws, and so attaching them to my person and government; let those who framed these remonstrances, inform me, what better means I can employ to support this true dignity of my throne, to maintain this my undisputed power amongst the nations. The ruins of several of his hunting-lodges are still shown in the vicinity of the fatal plain. THE TOMB OF ESTHER. "The Jewish part of the inhabitants |