-- The late Shah's long reign -- His camp life -- Habits -- Appearance -- Persian Telegraph Intelligence Department -- Farming the revenues -- Condition of the people -- The shoe question -- The customs -- Importation of arms -- Martini-Henry rifles -- Indo-European telegraph Nasr-ed-din Shah was the two hundred and fifty-fourth Sovereign who had successively ascended the throne of Persia.

He succeeded his father, Mahomed Shah, on September 10, 1848, and would have entered on his jubilee, the fiftieth year of his reign, according to the Mohammedan calendar, on May 6, 1896, had not his life been suddenly cut short by a dastardly assassin on Friday, May 1.

This was, I think, the longest reign of any Persian monarch that can be ascertained with historical accuracy, except that of Shah Tamasp, who died A.D.1576, after occupying the throne for fifty-three years; but this credits him with having begun his reign at the age of ten years.

Nasr-ed-Din Shah ascended the throne at the age of seventeen.

Up to the last his Majesty was remarkable as retaining all his physical and mental energies; his health was excellent, due no doubt to his love of nomadic life and its simple habits.