'A voyage from England to India, in the year 1754, and an historical narrative of the operations of the squadron and army in India, under the command of Vice-Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive, in the years 1755, 1756, 1757 ... Also a journey from Persia to England by an unusual route. With an appendix, containing an account of the diseases prevalent in Admiral Watson's squadron, etc.' [‎283] (326/562)

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-of the Bajha of Baghdad-, Selim* though much againft his inclination, had
been obliged to make his fubmiffion. Solyman, the reigning 5^, not'fatis-
fied with this, had long wiflied for an opportunity of getting Selim into his
power, to gratify not only his own revenge, but that of his wife (daughter to
the deceafed Achmet) who, with many other Turks and Per/mm whom
he had injured, thirfted for his blood: Selim it feems had conducted himfelf
with fo much cruelty, that he was among the Turks become almoft the objed
of as much terror, as ever was the famous Nadir Shah. Solyman, to effba:
his defign, pradifed the moft refined diffimulation; the ftrongeft profefllons
of friendfhip on his part were repeatedly made, with'afiuranees that the
requeft Selim had prefented of being appointed Bajha over the province
of Courdiftan, fhould be moft readily complied with. Accordingly, an in
vitation was fent him to come to Baghdad, in order to his beino- invefted
with the honours annexed to the high office ; Selim hefitated a long time,
being doubtful of the event, but at length all his fcruples were overcome
by the perfuafion and art of two falfe friends, who had been often fent by
him in confidence to Baghdad, but through mercenary views had now been
brought over to the intereft of Solyman.
The Bajha of Baghdad took care to be abfent at his country-feat,
fome diftance from the capital, when Selim made his entrance with his two
friends; but left ftrid orders, that he fhould be ufhered in with all the
honours due to his rank. He was accordingly conduced to an handfomc
apartment in the Bajha?s palace, and treated with the greateft refped. Pre
vious to this however, doubts had again OpprefTed his mind, and on his
drawing nigh to the city he was feized with an agony of fear; but as it
was too late to think of retreating, he refolved to make ufe of the only
means that remained for fecuring his future fafety. Before he entered the
walls, he paid a vifit of devotion to the tomb of the late Bajha, and there,
agreeable to the Mahometan cuftom, irwoked the fhrine of the departed fpi-
rit. He fent alfo a fupplicating embafTy to the Bajha and his wife, defiring
fome new marks of their favour and forgivenefs : the embafTador returned
with an handkerchief from each, which is looked upon as the ftrongefl
proof of friendfhip they could poffibly have. fent. Thus comforted, all
Seliiris fears vanifhed, and with alacrity he repaired to the palace.
In about five days afterwards, Bajha Solyman returned to his capital ; and
the morning following was fixed upon for giving Selim an audience, and for
invefting him with the Pelije, or vefl of filk lined with Samoor-fur, which in
Turky and Perfia is prefented only to thofe whom they defign highly to
honour. On the day and hour appointed, the unfufpedting Selim was con
duced by the proper officer into a grand apartment; then into another, lefs
fpacious •, and laft of all into a third, mean and obfeure to a great degree. He
had not continued long here, before four or five fellows rufhed in and rudely
deprived him of his Cuttari or knives, and then of his Shaul, being the
better part of his drefs; foon after, they prefented him with fhackles for
O o 2 * his
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