CALIPHS OF BAGDAD. 13 



of the empire among his sons — a scheme which 

 created the very evils it was intended to avert. One 

 trait contrary to the general complexion of his 

 character was his unrelenting cruelty to the Barme- 

 cides, especially Yahia and his son Jaafar, who had 

 served him long, and given the most distinguished 

 proofs of zeal and fidelity. To this illustrious fam- 

 ily, well known to the Western World through the 

 same enchanting tales that have celebrated their 

 royal master, Haroun had entrusted the entire ad- 

 ministration of his extensive dominions. But court 

 favour is precarious : circumstances confirmed and 

 exasperated the caliph's aversion, and death or im- 

 prisonment extirpated the unhappy race of Barmec. 

 The ingratitude of Haroun in this instance inflicted 

 its own punishment ; for with their destruction his 

 affairs fell into immediate and irretrievable con- 

 fusion. 



The reign of Alamin was one continued scene 

 of insurrection, revolt, and fraternal discord. His 

 treasures were exhausted ; and to supply the de- 

 ficiency he was obliged to commit to the crucible 

 his gold and silver plate. The precious contents 

 of his warehouses were openly exposed to sale, that 

 he might have wherewithal to stimulate his soldiers 

 to exert themselves in defence of the capital, then 

 besieged by his brother Almamoun, who was pro- 

 claimed caliph in Khorasan. A body of 5000 mer- 

 cenary troops had joined his standard; but, as he 

 had neither rich dresses nor pecuniary rewards to 

 bestow, they were compelled to rest satisfied with 

 a fumigation of their beards over pans of civet, 

 which were supplied in great profusion by the ca- 

 liph's orders ; and from this species of luxury the 

 inhabitants of Bagdad gave them in ridicule the ap- 

 pellation of the Civet corps. The head of this unfor- 

 tunate monarch, who was assassinated by a slave, 

 exhibited on the walls of Bagdad, announced to his 

 brother that he enjoyed an undivided throne. 



Vol. II.— B 



