Unknown

“ Now this was on the bridge [over the Tigris] , and he threw the ring into the river. When El Hadi died and Er Reshid succeeded to the Khalifate, he came in person to that bridge, with a seal-ring of lead, which he threw into the river at the same place, and bade the divers seek it. So they did [his bidding] and brought up the first ring, and this was reckoned [an omen] of Er Reshid’s good fortune and [a presage of] the continuance of his reign. [4]
When Er Reshid came to the throne, he invested Jaafer ben Yehya ben Khalid el Bermeki [5] with the vizierate. ”

“ The whole period during which the empire was governed by Yehya and his sons was only seventeen years, i.e. A.D 786–803, but see my Essay. ↑ The apparent meaning of this somewhat obscure saying is, “Since fortune is uncertain, conciliate the favour of those with whom thou hast to do by kind offices, so thou mayst find refuge with them in time of need.” ”