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rished subjects, who, notwithstanding his iron sceptre, were still 

 attached to their native soil. Under such a government there is 

 nothing to hope for; emigration can alone relieve the burden; but 

 the measure of oppression must be full ere we bid adieu to our 

 dii-penales, and the local joys of home ; pleasures which memory 

 loves to cherish. From these independent petty sovereigns there is 

 no appeal; their tyranny knows no control: pathetically does a 

 pious monarch lament their fate! " I considered all the oppressions 

 that are done under the sun, and beheld the tears of such as were 

 oppressed, and they had no comforter! and on the side of their 

 oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter!" 



When Akber filled the imperial throne, his ear was open to the 

 petition of the meanest subject, and his time dedicated to the hap- 

 piness of his extensive empire. Under that Avise monarch there 

 could be no oppression without redress; justice and clemency 

 overshadowed the soubah, and his outstretched arms protected the 

 most distant purgunna in his vast domain. In such an instance 

 absolute monarchy may be deemed a blessing, particularly in 

 Asia; but dreadful is unrestrained power in the hands of a cruel 

 despot. For one Akber, Antoninus, or Trajan, how multiplied is 

 the character of Nero, Tiberius, and Aurungzebe! 



However tyrannical and oppressive over his unfortunate sub- 

 jects, the nabob of Cambay was esteemed one of the politest sove- 

 reigns in India. He immediately sent one of his chopdars with 

 his compliments and congratulations on our arrival at his capital, 

 and presently after we received a visit from Mirza Mahomed Zu- 

 maun, the naib, or vizier, accompanied by several moguls and Per- 

 sian noblemen. On the following evening Mirza Zumaun invited 



