APPENDIX II.                               469

This Atlas must our sinking State uphold ;
In Council cool, but in jjerformance bold :
He sums their Virtues in himself alone.
And adds the greatest, of a Loyal .Son :
His Father's Cause upon his Sword he wears.
And with his Arms, we hope, his fortune bears.
Solym. Two vast Rewards may well his courage move,
A parent's blessing, and a Mistris Love.
If he succeed, his recompense, we hear.
Must be the Captive Queen of Cassimere.

Which may be compared with pp. 6-ii, of Bernier's text.
 

A P P E N D I X    XL

On the identity of the ' Great Mogul's diamond'
ivith ihe Koh-i-nur.

Catrou states that Mirza Mula (otherwise Mergi Mola) served for
some time in the army of the Mogul (i.e. Shah Jahan) and rose to high
command, but that, disgusted with the contempt of Prince 'Diti., he
entered the service of the King of Golconda, by whom he w^as appointed
'superintendent over the customs and the traffic of the King.' Profit¬
ing by so advantageous a post, and trading on his own account, he soon
amassed immense wealth, which at first he used to gain the good graces
of his master, procuring for him as presents rarities from Europe,
cabinets from China, and elephants from Ceylon. 'His magnificence
caused him to be taken notice of at Court, and as soon as he became
known, he attained to the first distinctions. What brought him into
chief notice was an intrigue of gallantry, which he carried on in private
with the mother of the King. She was a princess who still preserved
her beauty, at a rather adv.anced period of life. The King's acquaint¬
ance with the irregular conduct of his mother served only to advance
the fortunes of Mirza Mula. He was sent to a distance from the Court,
that the queen-mother might be prevented from giving occasion to
scandal; and the government of the province of the Carnatic was
bestowed upon him. The artful Persian knew how to turn his dis¬
grace to his advantage. The diamond mine, which adds so much
to the wealth of the kingdom of Golconda, was within the limits of his
government. He consequently determined to make the best use of
his time.    He retained for his own use the largest and the most perfect