The issue by lawful wives would naturally be preferred by those who meant the quiet of the country.

But a more doubtful title was preferred, as better adapted to the purposes of extortion and peculation.

This miserable succession was sold, and the eldest of the issue of Munny Begum, an harlot, brought in to pollute the harem of the seraglio, of whom you will hear much hereafter, was chosen.
He soon succeeded to the grave.

Another son of the same prostitute succeeded to the same unhappy throne, and followed to the same untimely grave.

Every succession was sold; and between venal successions and venal revolutions, in a very few years seven princes and six sales were seen successively in Bengal.