Page:Historyofpersiaf00watsrich.djvu/158

 heir-apparent of Persia. The Shah's revenue at the time I write of, was computed by an English author as amounting to little less than six millions sterling. The crown jewels of Persia in the possession of Fetteh Ali have been estimated as being of more intrinsic value than those of any contemporary prince of Christendom.

But a dark cloud was gathering in the north, which soon overshadowed this fair prospect, and which in due time poured forth its violence over the kingdom of Persia. The events of this period shall be recorded in a separate chapter.