unseemly calumnies.  God, however, knoweth and they know not.  He Who, through the might and power of God, hath arisen before the face of all the kindreds of the earth, and summoned the multitudes to the Supreme Horizon, hath been repudiated by them and they have clung instead unto such men as have invariably withdrawn themselves behind veils and curtains, and busied themselves about their own protection.  Moreover, many are now engaged in spreading lies and calumnies, and have no other intention than to instill distrust into the hearts and souls of men.  As soon as someone leaveth the Great City (Constantinople) to visit this land, they at once telegraph and proclaim that he hath stolen money and fled to Akka.  A highly accomplished, learned and distinguished man visited, in his declining years, the Holy Land, seeking peace and retirement, and about him they have written such things as have caused them who are devoted to God and are nigh unto Him to sigh.

His Excellency, the late Mirza Husayn Khan, Mu_sh_iru’d-Dawlih,—­may God forgive him—­hath known this Wronged One, and he, no doubt, must have given to the Authorities a circumstantial account of the arrival of this Wronged One at the Sublime Porte, and of the things which He said and did.  On the day of Our arrival the Government Official, whose duty it was to receive and entertain official visitors, met Us and escorted Us to the place he had been bidden to take Us.  In truth, the Government showed these wronged ones the utmost kindness and consideration.  The following day Prince Shuja’u’d-Dawlih, accompanied by Mirza Safa, acting as the representatives of the late Mu_sh_iru’d-Dawlih, the Minister (accredited to the Imperial Court) came to visit Us.  Others, among whom were several Ministers of the Imperial Government, and including the late Kamal Pa_sh_a, likewise called on Us.  Wholly reliant on God, and without any reference to any need He might have had, or to any other matter, this Wronged One sojourned for a period of four months in that city.  His actions were known and evident unto all, and none can deny them except such as hate Him, and speak not the truth.  He that hath recognized God, recognizeth none other but Him.  We have never liked, nor like We, to make mention of such things.

Whenever high dignitaries of Persia came to that city (Constantinople) they would exert themselves to the utmost soliciting at every door such allowances and gifts as they might obtain.  This Wronged One, however, if He hath done nothing that would redound to the glory of Persia, hath at least acted in a manner that could in no wise disgrace it.  That which was done by his late Excellency (Mu_sh_iru’d-Dawlih)—­may God exalt his station—­was not actuated by his friendship towards this Wronged One, but rather was prompted by his own sagacious judgment, and by his desire to accomplish the service he secretly contemplated rendering his Government.  I testify that he was so faithful in his service to his Government that