GOVERNMENT OF ISPAHAN. 
409 
dying by famine, pestilence, and war, to lay his crown at the 
feet of a proud conqueror : in which moment the glories of the 
Sefi race, with the royal existence of Ispahan, and the indepen¬ 
dence of Persia were no more. But the Jam-e-Jehan-numai, or 
magic mirror of the universe, in which former poets read the 
fate of the empire, must have recorded its recovery from the 
yoke. And, in like manner, it may yet have to re-picture the 
restoration of this once beautiful capital to all its faded honours. 
The governments both of the city and district of Ispahan, are 
in the hands of Hadjee Mahomed Hossein Khan, the Ameen-a- 
Doulah, or second minister of His Majesty; and he fulfils his 
duty in a way worthy the momentous trust. Pie has repaired 
and re-colonised many of the deserted villages, encouraged 
agriculture, and used similar means to populate the habitable 
streets of the city, by promoting the old manufactories, and striv¬ 
ing to attract commerce back to its ancient channels. His zeal has 
already done much, and is likely to do more. Many of the neglected 
caravansaries on the several roads, are re-established; while the 
bazars are being put into a state worthy the rich deposits they once 
protected, and may again. Indeed, all wears the face of good in¬ 
tention on one side, with awakening hope on the other; and, should 
security and industry ensue, a relative degree of prosperity cannot 
be far behind. As one proof, since the department of Ispahan has 
been under this judicious minister’s management, it has produced 
a larger sum to the crown than any other district in the royal 
dominions. His Excellency’s annual present to the King (which 
is always made under consideration of the value of the govern¬ 
ment possessed by the giver,) is never less than between six and 
seven hundred thousand tomauns; but this amount covers the 
whole tribute from the district; an immense sum at any rate. 
3 G 
VOL. i. 
