310 



SAYYID SAID. 



lieir (Sayyid Suwayni), the son of a Georgian or 

 Circassian slave, born about 1822, became by his 

 father's will, successor to and lord of the north- 

 ern provinces. To Sayyid Majid, the fourth son, 

 now (1857) aged 22, a prince of mild disposition 

 and amiable manners, contrasting strongly with 

 the vigorous ruffianism of his elder brother, was 

 left the Government of Zanzibar and of the 

 East African Coast. There is, as usual amongst 

 Arabs, a turbulent tribe of cousins : of these the 

 most influential is Sayyid Mohammed, a son of 

 Sayyid Salim bin Sultan, younger brother to the 

 late Prince, who some years ago died of con- 

 sumption. Hitherto he has used his powers 

 loyally — ruling, but not openly ruling. Sayyid 

 Said's valuable property, including his planta- 

 tions, was sold, as his will directed, and the 

 money was divided according to a fixed scale, 

 even the youngest princes claiming shares. No 

 better inducement to permanent dissension could 

 have been devised. But Eastern monarch s ap- 

 parently desire that their dynasties should die 

 with them. Path Ali Shah of Persia, when 

 asked upon his death-bed to name a successor, 

 drew a sword and showed what made and un- 

 made monarchs : scarcely had the breath left his 

 body than the chamber was dyed with the blood 



