NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MUZIFFER-ED-DIN, the Shah of Persia, died on Tuesday night. The heir-apparent, Mahomed Ali Mirza, was acknowledged at once as successor by the Grand Vizier and the other Ministers, and ascends the throne without any friction. As Governor of the province of .Azerbaijan, the new Shah came into conflict with the Constitutional Reform Party, and it is unlikely that the succession would have passed off so quietly had not Britain and Russia united in lending him their support. The late Shah found Persia in a dangerous state, and his eleven years of rule have not improved the situation. He squandered his revenues, alienated his subjects by misgoverninent and oppres- sion, and in foreign politics played a game which on more than one occasion threatened the very existence of his country. It remains to be seen what can be hoped for from his successor ; but with the improved relations between Russia and Britain, it is possible that European influence may be brought to bear upon his policy in a more continuous and beneficent way than hitherto.
