t spontaneously through lack of attention and exiguity of
interest. For up to the present moment of movements pertaining to religion
many have appeared in the countries of Europe, but, noninterference and
absence of bigotry having deprived them of importance, in a little while
they became effaced and dispelled.

After this event there was wrought by a certain Babi a great error and a
grave presumption and crime, which has blackened the page of the history
of this sect and given it an ill name throughout the civilized world. Of
this event the marrow is this, that during the time when the Bab was
residing in A_dh_irbayjan a youth, Sadiq by name, became affected with the
utmost devotion to the Bab, night and day was busy in serving Him, and
became bereft of thought and reason. Now when that which befell the Bab in
Tabriz took place, this servant, actuated by his own fond fancies, fell
into thoughts of seeking blood-revenge. And since he knew naught of the
details of the events, the absolute autocracy of the Amir-Nizam, his
unbridled power, and sole authority; nor [was aware] that this sentence
had been promulgated absolutely without the cognizance of the Royal Court,
and that the Prime Minister had presumptuously issued the order on his own
sole responsibility; since, on the contrary, he supposed that agreeably to
ordinary custom and usage the attendants of the court had had a share in,
and a knowledge of this sentence, therefore, [impelled by] folly, frenzy,
and his evil star, nay, by sheer madness, he rose up from Tabriz and came
straight to Tihran, one other person being his accomplice. Then, since the
Royal Train had its abode in _Sh_imiran, he thither directed his steps.
God is our refuge! By him was wrought a deed so presumptuous that the
tongue is unable to declare and the pen loath to describe it. Yet to God
be praise and thankfulness that this madman had charged his pistol with
shot, imagining this to be preferable and superior to all projectiles.

Then all at once commotion arose, and this sect became of such ill repute
that still, strive and struggle as they may to escape from the curse and
disgrace and dishonor of this deed, they are unable to do so. They will
recount from the first manifestation of the Bab until the present time;
but when the thread of the discourse reaches this event they are abashed
and hang their heads in shame, repudiating the presumptuous actor and
accounting him the destroyer of the edifi