158

mouili of the Nawab Abu 1 Ilassen, surnamed Lash-
ker Khan Mashhedi. Shah Salam uiia related also
that he heard the lord khalifah of God say, weeping:
" Would to God my body were the greatest of all,
" that the inhabitants of the world might take their
4* food from it, and not hurt any other living being."
A proof of the extensive views of this celebrated
King was, that he employed in his service men of
all nations—Firangis, Jews, Iranians, and Tura-
nians ; because, if they were all of one nation, they
would be disposed to rebellion, as it was the case
with the Usbeks, and the Kazel bashan, who de-
throned their sultan; but the King Abas, son of
sultan Khodabendah Safavi, who succeeded him,
reduced the Kurjis to order. He also paid no atten-
tion to the wealth of heritage, but without showing
partiality to lineage or religion, he promoted the
skilled in science and laws.

CHAPTER XL

OF THE RELIGION OF THE WISE (PHILOSOPHERS),

IN THREE SECTIONS.

SECTION I. Of the religion of the philosophers, and of some branches
of their questions.