400 A HISTORY OF PERSIA. death of a man who had so faithfully served him, and to whom he was so much attached. At this time the king addressed two letters to the Ameer, in one of which he stated that although it had been thought advisable to dismiss him from office, yet he might be sure that the royal heart bled for him. But it was hoped by the Sedr-Azem that separation might have the effect of cooling the Shah's affection for his brother-in-law ; accordingly the Ameer was offered the choice of the government of Ears, of that of Ispahan, or that of Koom. It is to be regretted that he did not accept the offer now made to him. Had he retired for a short time from the capital, he might have lived to return to it as minister; but he knew too well the character of his fellow-countrymen not to fear that his life would be in danger so soon as he should be separated from the Shah. Under the working of this apprehension, the Ameer declined the offers made to him ; but, through the influ- ence of the British Minister, it was at length arranged that he should be appointed governor of Kashan. Such was the condition of affairs when the unfor- tunate interference of Prince Dolgorouky produced a sudden change in the temper of the Shah. That Minister, although he had found the Ameer to be the uncompromising opponent of Russian aggressive move- ments, had yet found him ever truthful, just and reason- able. He was therefore sorry to see him replaced by Meerza Agha Khan, who had enjoyed English pro- tection ; and who, it was to be presumed, would favour English rather than Eussian influence at the Persian court. The prince feared lest the life of the Ameer should be taken, and he knew that if his life were spared,
