or even petty trading. He pronounced decided opinions on science, medicine, commerce, religious observances, engineering, military establishments, and a host of abstruse matters with equal facility, but with little real knowledge[1]. He seems to have written Persian with tolerable readiness, signing his name generally in a device or cryptogram, meaning 'Nabbi Málik,' or 'the Prophet is Master[2].' He was assiduous in his correspondence, and had little leisure for pastimes. He wrote to a certain Tarbíyat Alí Khán, 'That great person' (used here contemptuously for the correspondent addressed) 'eats two or three times a day, sits at his ease, and amuses himself with talk, whereas we are occupied from morning to night with business.' There can be no doubt about his business habits, and his
- ↑ Tipú laid claim to universal knowledge, but was certainly eclipsed by the famous Dane, Archbishop Absalon, who died in 1202. This really accomplished man was Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief, Lord High Admiral, and was versed in all kinds of learning. He was an excellent adviser to his King, and employed his spare moments in chopping billets of wood. Of. Holberg's Dannemark's Historie, vol. i. p. 186.
- ↑ The writer possesses an order of his dated 2d Bahári of the year Shádáb, 1226, Máulúd, that is, the birth of Muhammad (not the era of the Flight or Hijri), but it is probable that this newly-formed era really had reference to the period when the Prophet first announced himself as the messenger of God. The order in question bears the signature, 'Nabbi Málik.' Another order with the same signature has also on it a square seal with the impression 'Tipú Sultán.' It has been said that the title of Fatah Alí Khán was bestowed upon him by the Emperor Sháh Álam, but the writer is not aware whether he made use of this in his official correspondence.
