Though, it is certain, that the expression here quoted may equally have been suggested by one of the Persian titles[2], said to be engraved on a seal of Mr. Hastings, where we find the Governor General styled, “Pillar of the Empire.” But we shall leave it to our readers to determine, as they may think proper, on the most probable source of the metaphor, whether it were in reality derived from Beelzebub or Mr. Hastings.
[1] For a description of this young gentleman’s person, from top to bottom, see No. V.
[2] The following is copied from the Morning Chronicle of October 5, 1784.
Mr. HASTINGS’S PERSIAN TITLES, as engraved upon a Seal.
A True Translation.
Nabob Governor-General Hastings, Saub,
Pillar of the Empire,
The fortunate in War, Hero,
The most princely offspring of the Loins,
Of the King of the Universe,
The Defender of the Mahomedan Faith,
And Asylum of the World, &c. &c. &c. &c.
Translation of a Persian Inscription engraven on a large fine Ruby,
being the titles either given to or assumed by Mrs. HASTINGS.
“Royal and Imperial Governess,
The elegance of the age,
The most exalted Bilkiss,
The Zobaide of the Palaces,
The most heroic Princess,
Ruby Marian Hastings, Sauby, &c. &c.
N.B. With the Mussulmans, Bilkiss signifies the person, called in the Bible History the Queen of Sheba; and Zobaide was a favourite wife of Mahomed; and when they wish to pay the highest compliments to a lady, they compare her to Bilkiss and Zobaide, who possessed the most exalted beauty, and perfection of every kind.
* * * * *
NUMBER VIII.
From the above general compliment to the India-bench, the poet, in the person of Merlin, breaks out into the following animated apostrophe to some of the principal among our Leadenhall-street Governors:
All hail! ye virtuous patriots without blot, Rollo
The minor KINSON and the major SCOTT:
And thou of name uncouth to British ear,
From Norman smugglers sprung, LE MESURIER;
Hail SMITHS; and WRAXALL, unabash’d to talk,
Tho’ none will listen; hail too, CALL and PALK;
Thou, BARWEL, just and good, whose honour’d name,
Wide, as the Ganges rolls, shall live in fame,
Second to HASTINGS: and, VANSITTART, thou,
A second HASTINGS, if the Fates allow.