Heg.1143. The army demands his depo fition. J.C. 1730. that they were convinced it was that of a galley flave, who greatly resembled Ibrahim; that there was treachery in it, and that they had demanded the tanding four minifters in perfon, not dead bodies difficult to be known again which might not be the fame. They added: likewife, that the long reign of Achmet III. had but too much proved that he was incapable and unworthy of the throne, and that they would have fultan Mahmout for their fovereign. The name of Mahmout, repeated in the ranks, refounded presently from all parts, and reached even the feraglio. One might be astonished that three men of the dregs of the people fhould have conducted this revolution with fo much ability and firmness, if it were not known that they received advice from the iman of Saint Sophia's, a preacher to the emperor, who was fecretly the enemy of his master and of the mufti, because he had been refufed one of the two dignities of cadilefker. This man, without appearing either a rebel or a malecontent, had guided the three chiefs in those steps of moderation which had gained them the love of the people. It was to him that they were indebted for their conduct, which had been fo much admired, and he had been an inftrument of the rebellion the more dangerous, as no one had obferved his proceedings or even fufpected them. Zadi effendi (that was the name of the iman) entered the feraglio as foon as he heard the acclamations of the rebels who proclaimed Mahmout; and, affecting a for row Heg. 1143. row which he did not feel, he faid to fome ba- J.C. 1730. fhaws who were affembled under a kiosk, that the depofition of Achmet was inevitable; that the rebels had been full of it for three days paft; that they had directed their fteps with an artifice which left the emperor without resource; that all the people were prejudiced, and that the death of the four ministers only emboldened those whom it had been intended to appeafe. Zadi, by exaggerating the matter, had no difficulty to perfuade these terrified officers what he pleased. They faw, likewise, all the avenues of the feraglio guarded, and cannon planted againft the principal gates. In the midst of the penfive filence which Zadi's difcourfe had occafioned, a perfon of Achmet came to inform the viziers that Achmet ordered a divan to be affembled, at which he would be prefent himself. All the bafhaws entered into the chamber, where Zadi followed them. And as the emperor asked with a confufed voice if the rebels were still in the Atmeidan, if they were refolved not to lay down their arms, and what they could yet have to defire: "My lord," faid the effendi to him with affurance," thy reign is at an end, thy revolted fubjects will no longer have thee "for their mafter, they demand thy nephew "Mahmout with loud acclamations. It is in vain "for thee to flatter thyfelf that they will return to "their allegiance." At these words the prince turned pale; but having immediately recovered himself, he faid: " Why was I not in VOL. IV. Tt2 " formed Depofition III. J.C.1730. formed of the truth fooner ?" Mahmout throne. Follow me «all of you." Immediately he went to Mahmout's prifon, with all his retinue, and, having taken that prince by the hand: "The wheel has "turned for you as for me," faid he to him, conducting him to the divan chamber. "I re fign you the throne, which Muftapha my bro"ther refigned to me on a like occafion." And when he had feated him thereon: "Remember," faid he to him, "that Mahomet IV. Muftapha II. your father, and myself, have been pulled down " from the throne whereon you mount, for having <c too much trufted to our minifters. Let no fub"ject affume an influence over you which he may "abuse. See every thing with your own eyes, "and guard yourself against the effeminacy which "has conducted us all to our ruin. Be fevere, "but be juft. I recommend my children and my"felf to your protection." After this advice, he afcends the returned into the apartment from whence he had taken his nephew, to end his life there. Immediately a throne was raised for Mahmout in the room where the emperors give audience to foreign minifters. MAHMOUT, J.C. 1730. M AHM OUT, Or MAHOMET V. TWENTY-FOURTH REIGN. THIS.ceremony being over, Mahmout* would Interview mout and fain fee the, man who had made him emperor. He fent for Patrona Calil, who presented himself before his new mafter in the dress of a janiffary, with his legs naked, fuch as he was of Mahfour days before when he fold old clothes in the Patrona ftreets. This man, who from the bofom of meannefs had found means to thrust his daring hands on the imperial throne, had the appearance of poffeffing a daring foul. Mahmout, feeling at his fight a fentiment of admiration and gratitude, asked him what recompenfe he defired. "Sublime emperor," replied Calil," I have "obtained what I moft wifhed: my country is "delivered from the tyrants who oppreffed it, "and thy highness is feated on the throne of his "ancestors. But the hiftory of the revolutions "of the empire is too well known to me, for me "to be ignorant of the fate that awaits me: I "have been told, that not one of those, who have "made emperors, has died in his bed." " I He was at this time thirty-four years old. "fwear J.C. 1730.fwear to thee by the foul of my ancestors," Heg.1143. replied the prince, "that I will not make any "attempt on thy life, and that it is my intention "to reward thee." "Well then!" replied Patrona, "fince thou haft fome gratitude, we "will ask thee for a ftriking teftimony of it: "abolish immediately thefe impofts under which "the tyrant Ibrahim has made all the empire groan, which have occafioned his death and "the depofition of Achmet." "Thou shalt be satisfied," replied the prince: and immediately the criers were dispatched to the different quarters of Conftantinople to publish the abolition of the new impost. Revocation of the new im. poft. Neither Patrona Calil, nor either of the chiefs, could read, and confequently it was impoffible to confer any great dignity on them; but they obtained an unbounded power, which they foon abufed. Mehemet bafhaw was made grand vizier: Achmet III. had made choice of him before he defcended from the throne. Mahmout confirmed also an aga and a kiaia of the janiffaries whom the rebels had nominated. The grand feignior wifhed to gain the affection of the people. Seeing the public treafury fuller than it had been for many years, and that the confifcation of the property of the five profcribed ministers, increased it ftill more, he ordered, that the cuf the troops. tomary prefent to the troops fhould be more confiderable than any of his predeceffors had made; and though it was the rule to diftribute Prefent made to |