d returned to his relatives
and former friends. Collecting a force he attacked the king's army and
after several engagements overthrew the king and took possession of the
throne. As a ruler he was very cruel to his enemies but very kind to
his officers and subjects. One night while resting in his tent two
servants or subordinate officials in an adjoining tent quarreled and
awakened the king with their noise. This angered him and the next day
he ordered that both of them be beheaded. The following night, before
the time for execution had come, the two condemned men formed a plot
with some other officials who hated their ruler's cruelty, to kill the
king. This plot was successfully carried out. The king's nephew, Futteh
Ali, became his successor. He became one of the most noted kings of
Persia, and was called the king of kings. Futteh Ali had several sons,
one of whom, Abbas Mirza, was chosen as crown prince This prince died
in early manhood. He left a son, Mohammed by name, who afterwards
became king. After Mohammed, the late Nasiraldinshah became king and
was assassinated May 1st, 1896. Nasiraldin was a good king and did more
for Persia than any ruler during the past 700 years. He made three
visits to Europe and gathered many modern ideas which he wished to
introduce in his kingdom. He organized a postal system connecting all
the prominent towns and cities of Persia. Telegraphic communication was
also established. He built roads between important towns and cities and
detailed soldiers as guards where the roads passed through sections
infested with robbers. This king reigned forty-eight years. A year ago
he became a victim of a fanatical Babei, a new religious sect. The
assassin took the king's life while the latter was worshiping in the
most holy place of a mosque. Nasiraldin left four sons. The eldest is
named Zelli Sultan. He is a highly educated and powerful man. The
second son, Mozafferedden succeeded his father and is now king of
Persia. The third son is governor of the capital. The fourth son is a
youth of twelve years.

Before the death of the late king, Zelli Sultan, his first, son, began
making secret preparations to usurp the throne. When the plot was
learned, the son was stolen from his home one night and taken before
the king. All implements of war prepared by him were confiscated, and
he was sentenced to death. But high officials interceded for the son,
and the sentence was changed to that of blinding him.