In the administration of the government, the king is assisted by his two prime ministers, the Vizier ?izem, or Grand Vizier, and the ?meen a Doulah, or Lord High Treasurer. To the fiormer is committed the charge of every thing connected with foreign relations, and he even commands the armies in the absence of the king or prince. The latter attends principally to the internal arrangement of the empire, such as the collection of the revenues, and the cultivation of the lands. The whole of the executive government is in the hands of these two men, and under them is a regular gradation of subordinate officers, who fill situations in the household, army, and revenue de partments. While they remain in power, their authority is without control ; but they arc dependent from hour to hour upon the favour of their master, not only for the authority which they exercise, but for the preservation of their property and their lives. Their danger increases with their charge; and their time is incessantly occupied in personal attendance upon the sovereign, in the intrica cies of private intrigue, or the toils of public business. It is seldom, indeed, that they do not, sooner or later, ex perience a reverse of fortune. Their great object conse quently is, to secure the confidence of the monarch ; and their very condition often compels them to practise habits of subserviency and dissimulation. They are always men of polished manners, well-skilled in business, and of very acute observation ; and are generally exalted to their high situations on account of the reputation they have attained in inferior offices. As these stations are never filled by men of high birth and rank, whose downfall might excite a spirit of discontent and turbulence among their vassals and adherents, the disgrace and execution of a minister, creates no sensation among the people. From the prime minister, to the lowest dependant on the government, there is a regular gradation of despotism and slavery ; the in ferior officers depending no less upon the favour of the prime minister, than he upon the king.
The administration of the provinces is committed to of ficers, who receive the title of Beglerbeg. These situ ations are at present chiefly filled by the king's sons, who have their residence in the capital of the province. Un der them are the Hakim and Thaubet, who severally go vern a city or a town ; and the Ket-Khoda, who is the chief of a village. Besides these is the Kelounter, who in every city, town, and village, superintends the collection of the tribute. This person is of considerable consequence. He is au officer of the crown, and once a-year appears in the royal presence. He is the representative of the peo ple on all occasions. Through him their wishes and wants are made known to the king ; and he brings for ward the complaints of the Rayats, or peasants, whenever they feel oppressed. The Kelounter and Ket-Khoda must necessarily be selected from the most respectable natives of the city or village where they are to reside ; and though nominated by the king, yet the wishes of the in: habilmns are generally consulted upon the occasion.
The chat acter of the Beglerbegs is in general formed upon that of the reigning sovereign. The rapacity and tyranny of the one must be upheld by that of the other. However irreproachable their conduct, they know that they cannot escape the accusation of injustice and mal administration; and unless they can satisfy the demands and avarice of the court, their punishment is certain. Aware, at the same time, that if they can only answer these demands, no inquiry will be made respecting the manner in which the money has been acquired, they have recourse to the Hakims ; and they, in their turn, to the Ket-Khodas and cultivators of land. Thus a regular sys tem of venality and extortion pervades every class, from the throne to the cottage, and the laws of order, justice, and propriety, arc almost uniformly violated.
The vain love of high-sounding titles prevails in all Mahomedan governments; and, in many, this shadow of grandeur is retained after the substance has fled. One of the most common titles of the Persian monarch, and by which he.is usually addressed by his subjects, is Keb Kebleh is the point to which all Mahomedans turn in prayer, and Alum signifies the world. He is also entitled Zil Allah, or " Shadow of the Almighty," and Jellal-u-Doula-ul-Deen, " the glory of the state, and of religion ;" and all his edicts are signed "by him whom the universe obeys." His arms are a lion couchant, and the sun rising at his back, which is intended to represent Sol in the constellation Leo. This device is embroidered upon all the Persian banners, and has been converted into a national order, which is conferred upon those who dis tinguish themselves against the enemies of their country. The common military title in Persia is Khan, or Lord, and civil one Mirza, or son of a nobleman. All chiefs of tribes are entitled to the appellation of Khan, and it is also ge nerally bestowed upon the oldest son; but younger sons seldom receive it, unless they are enrolled in the king's guards, or have performed some service. This title is creative, and is attended with few ceremonies. The king sends a kaluat, or dress of honour, to the person so creat ed, and gives him a firman, announcing to all that the bearer is forthwith a Khan. This firman is worn three days on the top of the turban, and any person who de rides this patent, or refuses to call the bearer of it by his title, is liable to the penalty of death. Illirza is a here ditary title, and descends to all the sons of the family without exception. It is always prefixed to the name, except in cases of the princes of the blood royal, when it is placed after it. This appellation, however, is also con ferred upon all who fill any office in the civil departments of government ; and then it denotes merely a civilian, or man of business. This class are very numerous, and are usually distinguished by wearing a kullumdan, or small case which contains pens and ink, in their girdle.