• CHAPTER XVI. SALADIN. " Sans peur et sans reproche." SALADIN has already appeared upon our pages, but hitherto scarcely more than incidentally. The reader will, no doubt, be glad to have a consecutive account of the career of this illustrious prince, as told by the historians of his own nation. We must go back to the time of. the invasion of Egypt by King Amaury. On Shirkoh's death, many of the chief officers of Kur-ed-din's army were desirous of succeeding to the important post of grand vizier ; but the Caliph, El 'Adhid, himself sent for Saladin, and conferred the office upon him, together with many privileges and titles of honour. He was designated El Melik en Nâsir, " the Victorious King," and Sipâh-sâlâr, a Persian title, signifying generalissimo of the army; and his standard, or coat of arms, was placed instead of his name at the head of all official communications—a form made use of only in the case of royal personages. In writing to him, however, the Egyptian Caliph did not address his letters to Saladin individually, but inscribed them " To the Emir Saladin, and all the princes in the land of Egypt." This was doubtless in order to assert his own prerogative and superior. authority ; but the young Kurd, having once