Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 19.12.5

19.12.5

And since His Highness had retired from the helm, and affairs had fallen into the hands of people without brains and without experience, it was to be feared lest the expedition should not end so well as might be wished." These indirect strictures did not please His Highness, and he answered in a manner which discovered his secret displeasure at what I had taken the liberty to hint; nevertheless it appeared, that "he was convinced of the truth of my observation, as well as affected by his own situation; but that now that he had embarked in the undertaking, it was too late to recede; nor could that be done at all, without a proper opportunity; nor could it be expected, that Mahmed-cūli-qhan would choose to submit to his directions and advice." Such was the purport of his answer; but what looks very curious is, that as the Prince was exceedingly light-headed, and often guilty of unaccountable proceedings, every proceeding of his that did not please Mahmed-cūli-qhan, never failed to be charged to my illustrious father's account, and to that of those that were of his party. In a couple days after this interview, my forgiven father took me in his company, and went with Munnir-ed-doula to see Mahmed-cūli-qhan; and as this General chanced to glance at some matters of discontent that affected his mind, he was answered in so proper a manner, and with such suitable excuses, that he seemed satisfied on that subject;