CHARACTER OF AKBAR. 
95 
this practice, he has never met with a person whose 
judgment he could prefer to his own, — nay, the most 
experienced statesmen, on beholding this ornament of 
the throne, blush at their own insufficiency, and study 
anew the arts of government. Nevertheless, out of 
the abundance of his sagacity, he will not suffer him- 
self to quit the paths of inquiry. Although he be 
surrounded with power and splendour, yet he never 
suffers himself to be led away by anger or wrath. 
Others employ story-tellers to lull them to sleep ; but 
his Majesty, on the contrary, listens to them to keep 
him awake. From the excess of his righteousness, he 
exercises upon himself both inward and outward aus- 
terities, and pays some regard to external forms in 
order that those who are attached to established cus- 
toms, may not have any cause for reproach. His 
life is an uninterrupted series of virtue and sound 
morality. God is witness that the wise of all ranks 
are unanimous in this declaration. 
He never laughs at nor ridicules any religion or 
sect : — he never wastes his time nor omits the perform- 
ance of any duty ; so that, through the blessing of his 
upright intention, every action of his life may be con- 
sidered as an adoration of the Deity. He is conti- 
nually returning thanks unto Providence and scrutinis- 
ing his own conduct ; but he most especially so em- 
ploys himself at the following stated times : — at day- 
break when the sun begins to diffuse its rays, — at 
noon when that grand illuminator of the universe 
shines in full resplendence — in the evening, when it 
disappears from the earth, — and again at midnight 
when it recommences its ascent. All these grand 
