VIZIER'S CHARACTER. 159 



very extraordinary man, and lived in a style 

 perhaps of more grandeur than any potentate in 

 the world, since the downfall of the kings of 

 India. 



Being protected by the English, he was en- 

 abled to dedicate his whole time to amusement, 

 so that his history, replete with anecdotes, would, 

 if well written, probably afford more entertain- 

 ment than most novels. He was of a moderate 

 stature, rather corpulent, with a handsome face 

 and sharp penetrating eyes, and possessed much 

 activity of body for a man of his size. He pos- 

 sessed great quickness of mind and volubility of 

 tongue, with no apparent want of capacity to a 

 superficial observer; yet that his understanding 

 was weak, might easily be discovered by the 

 style of his conversation, which dwelt chiefly on 

 frivolous and childish subjects, and by the tenor 

 of his actions and habits ; the greater part of his 

 time being occupied with trifles and trifling 

 amusements. He was very generous and affable, 

 and on most occasions humane; however, the 

 latter qualification may be much doubted ; for so 

 contradictory were his actions, that much may be 

 said on both sides. 



