rapine continued-from which India was preserved by the interference of the British Government; but it is certain that his conduct as a ruler in times of profound peace, during these last years of his manhood, have sorely belied the fine promises of his youth. Instead of the fulfilment of Sir J. Malcolm's predictions (in case of good management), of great and progressive increase in his revenues, he has of late years, it is understood, been constantly embarrassed for want of means to satisfy the clamours of a useless and rabble soldiery, for the long and heavy arrears of pay due to them. The death of his able minister, Tantiah Jogh, some five or six years ago, gave a shock to the respectability of his government, which it has never since recovered, we believe. He had almost entirely abandoned himself to the pilotage of his low and vicious passions, while his court had become one scene of mean and petty intrigue. The Dowager Baie, like ladies in general, and Mahratta ladies in particular, it is thought, aspired to political power, and had not been unsuccessful during this abasement of her son's energies but whether for her own good, or the good of the state and the happiness of the people, is not clear. Mulhar Rao has left no issue, and is likely to be succeeded by his cousin, Harree Holkar, who has for many years been held in close duresse in the fort of Myhein. Mofussil Ukhbar, Nov. 16, 1833.

HAKEEM MEHNDI ALI KHAN, THE CELEBRATED MINISTER OF OUDE.

Moontezum Ood Dowlah, Mhaindee Ally Khan, better known throughout India by the name of the Hakeem, is one of those individuals who would in any country attract that attention which is readily given, even among the most rude and uncivilized, to him who has the courage to shake himself free of those shackles which centuries of bigotry and prejudice have imposed on his countrymen. Born of a distinguished though not very opulent Persian family, he was very early called into active employment* by Saadut Ally Khan, who, with the penetration for which he was remarkable, predicted, as he contributed to, his advance

The late Bishop Heber has stated in his work, “that the Hakeem is a man of very considerable talents, great hereditary opulence and influence." This is an error, and takes from his real merit as the founder of his fortune. The Hakeem's father was a Persian gentleman from Shiraz, who had followed the sabre's adventurous law" to India; his sword and his spear, his fortune and inheritance. Again the late bishop has been misinformed in stating that this remarkable person was ever thrown into prison," whence he was only released by the interposition of the British government. The Hakeem never was in confinement: if he had been, he would never have been released,

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ment. In 1802-3, when the treaty was in agitation under which the best half of the Oude provinces were ceded to the Company, the Hakeem was high in the confidence of his sovereign; and his account of the intrigues of the court at that period, the difficulties experienced in inducing the prince to sign what he considered his erasure from the list of Indian sovereigns, afford an instructive and deeply-interesting lesson in the arcana of Indian diplomacy. The Hakeem does not attempt to deny that he counselled his master to resort to all possible means of evasion, and even of resistance, short of a reference to the "ultima ratio regum,” to which he was far too intelligent to urge him. It is impossible not to admire the spirit which dictated the advice, as much as the candour which now admits the fruitless hostility.

Views, however, so directly in opposition to those of the British Government, could not but bring the Hakeem into rough collision with our Resident, an officer who at that time exercised a far more direct and proclaimed influence in the Oude councils than is now desired. He was therefore driven into honourable exile, as aumil or governor of some districts of the Oude territory, situated on the British frontier of Benares and Goruckpore. Here he applied himself diligently to the improvement of the districts entrusted to him; and with such success, that a country which

does not now pay the expenses of government, under his management was a most fruitful source of wealth to his master's treasury, while means were afforded him for the accumulation of one of those colossal fortunes, of which the East has afforded some rare examples. The blind goddess has seldom made so just a distribution of wealth; and never was Asiatic better fitted and to instruct his countrymen.

to govern

To the keenest perception of his own interests, and a remarkable tact in the happy adaptation of the views of others to his own purposes, he adds the deepest sagacity, the greatest mental activity, and a knowledge of human nature, which I have rarely seen equalled, never exceeded. Although born and bred in a country in which the nuptial tie is so little regarded, where marriages are dissolved on demand, and concubinage has scarcely any prohibition; yet, so deeply did the Hakeem feel the loss of his wife, that not only did he never contract another marriage (although she had left him without an heir to his immense wealth), but it seemed as if every line had been broken which could attach him to the world. He never again entered the female apartments where she died, which remain just as they were at the moment of her decease. No one has ever worn her jewels; her shawls and dresses are still retained with enthusiastic fondness; and when he has casually mentioned her name, after a lapse of nearly

eight years, the sigh was in the bosom, and the tear in

the eye.

Of his urbanity of manner, even in these kingdoms of masters and slaves; of his intuitive perception of what is great and good; of the justness of his conceptions, and the excellence of his judgment, I might offer many examples. At the marriage of his grand nephew, he gave a most sumptuous entertainment to the ladies and gentlemen of Futtihghur and the surrounding stations, which was conducted in the English mode; the dinner being spread in the hall of a superb house, which he purchased for the occasion, and every delicacy offered which luxury could devise, or wealth supply. In the midst of the entertainment, the string of a pearl necklace of enormous value broke, and the pearls fell in showers all around his seat. The accident, however, was not remarked by the guests, and not a pearl was picked up until they had adjourned: lest, as he observed, an interruption should have occurred in the gaiety of the company, and the party have been deranged" for a very trivial purpose."

Speaking to him one day of our Regulations, and willing to combat his impression, that in this country, as in most others, there are two laws, one for the rich and the other for the poor, he exclaimed, "Let us look no further into the question. You and your brothers interpret the regulations as may best suit your views of