44 
MEMOIR OP BRUCE. 
The first thing he beheld was the firman of the 
Grand Signior, splendidly written and titled, the 
inscription being powdered with gold dust, and 
wrapped up in green taffeta. Next appeared a 
white satin hag, addressed to the Khan of Tartary ! 
Then a green and gold bag, with letters directed to 
the Sheriff of Mecca ! Then a crimson satin bag, con- 
taining others for Metical Aga, his chief minister, 
sword-bearer, and favourite ! Lastly, appeared a 
letter from Ali Bey of Cairo to the Vizier himself, 
written with all the haughty pomp of a prince to a 
slave, and concluding by saying, that if any accident 
should happen to Bruce through his neglect, the 
offence should be punished at the gates of the Holy 
City. The Vizier’s curiosity at the sight of so much 
mysterious grandeur, was soon changed into feelings 
of very painful alarm ; he ordered the mighty 
stranger’s boxes to be nailed up immediately, and 
upbraiding the servants for not telling him to whom 
they belonged, he mounted his horse, and instantly 
rode down to the English factory, inquiring every 
where for the English nobleman, whom nobody had 
seen. 
Bruce was still lying on his mat in the court, which 
was now filled with a crowd of people ; and on the 
question being put to him, by one of the officers, 
where his master was? “ In heaven” he replied, 
yawning from his sleep; but soon recovering his 
scattered senses, he rose and introduced himself to 
the Vizier, as the owner of the tremendous luggage. 
On being informed of his plans, arrangements were 
