ls, to excuse themselves, said
that the wild beasts had devoured it. That night they sheltered the body
in the workshop of a Babi of Milan: next day they manufactured a box,
placed it in the box, and left it as a trust. Afterwards, in accordance
with instructions which arrived from Tihran, they sent it away from
A_dh_irbayjan. And this transaction remained absolutely secret.

Now in these years [A.H. one thousand two hundred and] sixty-six and
sixty-seven throughout all Persia fire fell on the households of the
Babis, and each one of them, in whatever hamlet he might be, was, on the
slightest suspicion arising, put to the sword. More than four thousand
souls were slain, and a great multitude of women and children, left
without protector or helper, distracted and confounded, were trodden down
and destroyed. And all these occurrences were brought about solely by the
arbitrary decision and command of Mirza Taqi _Kh_an, who imagined that by
the enactment of a crushing punishment this sect would be dispersed and
disappear in such wise that all sign and knowledge of them would be cut
off. Ere long had passed the contrary of his imagination appeared, and it
became certain that [the Babis] were increasing. The flame rose higher and
the contagion became swifter: the affair waxed grave and the report
thereof reached other climes. At first it was confined to Persia: later it
spread to the rest of the world. Quaking and affliction resulted in
constancy and stability, and grievous pains and punishment caused
acceptance and attraction. The very events produced an impression;
impression led to investigation; and investigation resulted in increase.
Through the ill-considered policy of the Minister this edifice became
fortified and strengthened, and these foundations firm and solid.
Previously the matter used to be regarded as commonplace: subsequently it
acquired a grave importance in men's eyes. Many persons from all parts of
the world set out for Persia, and began to seek with their whole hearts.
For it hath been proved by experience in the world that in the case of
such matters of conscience laceration causeth healing; censure produceth
increased diligence; prohibition induceth eagerness; and intimidation
createth avidity. The root is hidden in the very heart, while the branch
is apparent and evident. When one branch is cut off other branches grow.
Thus it is observed that when such matters occur in other countries they
become extinc