s to be held by _zemindarry_ tenures similar to those
in Bengal, his notions on the subject of the debate must have been
considerably perplexed. "At length, however, as the debate had already
been protracted to a late hour, and there was no probability of a speedy
termination to this war of words, I left the House with no unfavourable
impression of what I had heard. This eternal wrangling between the two
factions is inherent, it appears, in the nature of the constitution.
With us, two wise men never dispute; yet every individual member of the
legislature is supposed to possess a certain share of wisdom--so that
here are a thousand wise men constantly disputing. One would think no
good could result from such endless differences of opinion; but the fact
is the reverse--for from these debates result those measures which mark
the character of the English for energy and love of liberty."

But though thus constantly alluding to the two great political parties
which divide the state, the Khan nowhere attempts to give his readers a
definition of the essential differences which separate them; and, for a
statement of the respective tenets of Whigs and Tories, as represented
to an oriental, we must once more have recourse to the journal of Najaf
Kooli, who has apparently taken great pains to make himself acquainted
with this abstruse subject. "The Tories," says the Persian prince,
"argue as follows:--'Three hundred years ago we were wild people, and
our kingdom ranked lower than any other. But, through our wisdom and
learning, we have brought it to its present height of honour, and, as
the empire was enlarged under our management, why should we now _reform_
and give up our policy which has done all this good?' To which the Whigs
reply--'It is more prudent to go according to the changes of time and
circumstances. Moreover, by the old policy, only a few were benefited;
and, as government is for the general good, we must observe that which
is best for the whole nation, so that all should be profited.'" The
Shahzadeh's description of the ceremony of opening Parliament, and his
summary of the usual topics touched upon in the royal speech, are marked
by the same amusing _naivete_--"When all are met, the king, arrayed in
all his majestic splendour and state, with the crown on his head, stands
up with his face to the assembly, and makes a speech with perfect
eloquence as follows:--'Thank God that my kingdom is in perfect
happiness, and all