imself laid claim to be a spiritual guide and was
prepared to perform the functions of religious directorship. But others
deny these accounts.

At all events in the course of the journey He wrote a letter to the Prime
Minister saying, "You summoned Me from Isfahan to meet the doctors and for
the attainment of a decisive settlement. What has happened now that this
excellent intention has been changed for Maku and Tabriz?"

Although He remained forty days in the city of Tabriz the learned doctors
did not condescend to approach Him and did not deem it right to meet Him.
Then they sent Him off to the Castle of Maku, and for nine months lodged
Him in the inaccessible castle which is situated on the summit of that
lofty mountain. And 'Ali _Kh_an of Maku, because of his excessive love for
the family of the Prophet, paid Him such attention as was possible, and
gave permission [to some persons] to converse with Him.

Now when the accomplished divines of A_dh_irbayjan perceived that in all
the parts round about Tabriz it was as though the last day had come by
reason of the excessive clamor, they requested the government to punish
the [Bab's] followers, and to remove the Bab to the Castle of _Ch_ihriq.
So they sent Him to that castle and consigned Him to the keeping of Yahya
_Kh_an the Kurd.

Glory be to God! Notwithstanding these decisions of great doctors and
reverend lawyers, and severe punishments and reprimands--beatings,
banishments, and imprisonments--on the part of governors, this sect was
daily on the increase, and the discussion and disputation was such that in
meetings and assemblies in all parts of Persia there was no conversation
but on this topic. Great was the commotion which arose: the doctors of the
Perspicuous Religion were lamenting, the common folk clamorous and
agitated, and the Friends rejoicing and applauding.

But the Bab Himself attached no importance to this uproar and tumult, and,
alike on the road and in the castles of Maku and _Ch_ihriq, evening and
morning, nay, day and night, in extremest rapture and amazement, He would
restrict Himself to repeating and meditating on the qualities and
attributes of that absent-yet-present, regarded-and-regarding Person of
His.(8) Thus He makes a mention of Him whereof this is the purport:

"Though the ocean of woe rageth on every side, and the bolts of fate
follow in quick succession, and the darkness of griefs and afflictions
invade soul and body, yet is My hea