TURKEY IN ASIA.

THOUGH the seat of the Ottoman government is im Europe, yet the largest and most valuable possessions of the empire are situated in the opposite continent. These territories consist of the peninsula of Lesser Asia, of the ancient Syria and Mesopotamia, of Armenia, Imeritia, and Mingrelia ; countries once the seats of many rich and potent states, famous through long periods of history. Its boundaries are, to the north, the sea of Marmora with its channels, and the Black sea, with the Kuban river and the Caucasian chain of mountains separating it from the Russian territory; to the east, Georgia and Persia; to the south, Arabia; to the west, the Mediterranean sea. Its form is very irregular, its great middle bulk curving round to a sort of neck as it follows the shore of the Black sea northwards, and being extended into two limbs or legs southwards. Its northern and southern extremities respectively reach nearly the 45th and 30th degrees of N. latitude: from east to west it extends about 1000 miles.

Though the Ottoman porte has claims of superiority over Egypt and the Barbary states, and receives occasional tribute from them, yet they can scarcely be reckoned as part of its do

minions.

The climate of the greater part of this country has always been accounted one of the most delicious on the globe: even the inhabitants of Greece and Italy looked upon Lesser Asia and Syria as regions in which the human body became enervated through excess of pleasurable sensations; and the music, the poetry, the oratory, and arts of Asia were supposed to have acquired a dangerous taint of effeminacy, from the softness of the atmosphere. This character, however, is chiefly applicable to its sea-coast and inland plains and valleys; for the general face of the country is remarkably roughened by moun

tains, which are frequently of such a height as to produce rigor ous cold. These mountains, however, temper the heat of the southern latitudes, and offer an agreeable choice of climate according to the local elevation.

To pursue minutely the several ridges which overspread Asiatic Turkey would only confuse the reader: it will suffice to mention some of the most celebrated in history and geography. The famous mount Taurus of antiquity is recognised in a long chain stretching in a sinuous course from the shores of the Archipelago to the banks of the Euphrates, a length of about 600 miles. From this a branch extends north-easterly through Armenia, which seems to unite with the Caucasian chain. The latter, the Caucasus of ancient fable and history, only skirts the northern border of the Turkish dominions, and then passes through Georgia to the shore of the Caspian sea. Many shorter ridges run from the shores of the Black sea and the Archipelago towards the inland country. Of these, near the straits that separate Asia from Europe, are the Asiatic Olympus, whose summits, clad in perpetual snow, are visible from Constantinople, and the Ida, deriving fame from its connexion with the scenery of ancient Troy. Several ridges may be traced branching from Taurus southwards to the Mediterranean. One of these, running parallel to the Syrian coast, and not far distant from it, forms Libanus or Lebanon, and shoots its spurs into Palestine.

Many rivers wind between these mountainous ranges; but those of Lesser Asia are not remarkable for length of course. The largest is the Kizil Irmak, the Halys of antiquity, which, rising in Taurus, near the town of Erekli, flows northwards across the greatest part of the peninsula, and enters the Black sea to the west of the gulf of Sansoun. The Sacaria, anciently Sagaris, springing from a lake near the centre of Lesser Asia, joins the Black sea at no great distance from the Bosphorus. On the western side, the Sarabat, renowned under the name of Hermus for its golden sands, flows into the Archipelago to the north of Smyrna. To the south of it the proverbially winding Meander, now Minder, holds a parallel course through spaious plains to the sea opposite the isle of Samos.

All these streams are much inferior to the Euphrates, one of the most celebrated of Asiatic rivers. Its source is in the mountains of Armenia near Erzerum, whence it first flows south-westerly; but being interrupted in its course by a range of mountains, it turns first to the south, and then to the southeast, till it finds an exit in the Persian gulf soon after receiving the Tigris. Its entire course is estimated at about 1400 miles. The Tigris, its rival or ally, rises in the same tract of country with the Euphrates, but more to the east. It holds a direct south-eastern course by Mosul and Bagdad, where it very nearly approaches the Euphrates, and forms its junction with that river about 60 miles above Bassora. Both these fine rivers are navigable far up the country. They form such distinguished features of the tract through which they pass, that the intervening district acquired the name of Mesopotamia between the rivers.

There are many lakes in Asiatic Turkey, both fresh and saline. The largest is that of Van in Kurdistan; but the most famous is the Dead sea at the southern extremity of Syria, in the ancient Palestine.

Countries situated in the warmer part of the temperate zone, and possessing every variety of soil and situation, cannot fail of being furnished abundantly with the natural and cultivated products of the vegetable kingdom.

Lesser Asia was the parent country of several of the most esteemed fruits which were brought into Europe by the Roman conquerors. The tracts bordering upon Arabia produce the date-palm, and are the most northerly latitude in which it ripens its fruit. The vine, the olive, and the fig arrive at great perfection in almost every province. The farinaceous grains and legumes yield abundantly in their proper soils, wherever nature is tolerably seconded by the industry of the husband

man.

Of domestic quadrupeds, those principally employed for carriage are the ass, the mule, and the camel. The finest horses are of Arabian blood, and are reserved for persons of rank. The plains of Mesopotamia were of old renowned for the flocks and herds to which they gave pasture; and to this

day there are several wandering tribes, as the Turcomans and Kurds, who lead a pastoral life on the spacious plains of the districts which they occupy. The sheep of Lesser Asia are in more estimation than the horned cattle. Syria possesses some of the broad-tailed kind, in which the tail is chiefly a lump of fat. The same country has a breed of goats distinguished by their long pendulous ears. The district of Angora, in the centre of Lesser Asia, is remarkable for a beautiful race of goats, of a milk-white colour, with fine hair all over the body disposed in long spiral ringlets: this is the material of which the finest camlets are made. There appears to be a singular property in the soil or air of this district, since the hair of its sheep, cats, and rabbits is uncommonly long and fine.

Of wild quadrupeds, the ibex haunts the summits of Caucasus and of other high mountains. The common antelope or gazel runs in herds in the deserts of the south, and the wild boar and various kinds of deer inhabit the forests. The lion now no longer met with in Europe, is first seen in Asia on the banks of the Euphrates, and seldom comes further westward. The hyena is frequent towards the south, and troops of jackals haunt the neighbourhood of towns, which they disturb by their nightly howlings.

There is little doubt that many of the mountainous tracts of Turkey are metalliferous; and it is known that Lydia was anciently famed for its gold mines. At present, such is the inertness of the Turkish government, that scarcely any mines are heard of in these countries, except some of copper near Tokat. Hot mineral springs occur in various parts: the most famous of these supply some fine baths at Prusa, beneath mount Olympus.

In the eleventh century the Turks, descending from their original settlements about the Caspian sea, made themselves masters of Georgia and Armenia, and soon after of the whole of Lesser Asia. Syria, Diarbekir or Mesopotamia, and some provinces on the Persian border, were annexed by conquest in the 16th century, since which period little change has taken place in this part of the Turkish dominions.

The people are of various origin, and differ in language, religion, and manners. The Turks, as the rulers, possess the principal power and property, and are the chief inhabitants of cities their language and religion are the predominant ones : their manners are marked with the same gravity, haughtiness, and indolence, that distinguish their brethren in Europe. Of the christians the majority are of the Greek church, and use the modern Greek language. The Armenians have a language of their own, and constitute a peculiar sect of christians, characterized by rigorous fasts and abundance of ritual observances. They are much addicted to commerce, which they pursue through almost all the countries of the east, every where forming a distinct people, and strictly adhering to their manners and religion. They are frugal, polite, and wary, and understand all the mysteries of traffic.

The Syrian christians are chiefly Maronites, a sect which acknowledges the superiority of the see of Rome, but has some peculiarities of worship. The Druses, a people in the mountains of Syria, who live nearly independent, with the profession of mahometanism, are said to be very lax in religious faith. Among these southern tribes the Syriac, Arabic, Persian, and other dialects are in use. The wandering tribes of Turcomans seem to be what the Turks were in their original state. The Kurds are a peculiar tribe, who live in tents, and roam with their flocks and herds from Mesopotamia to the sources of the Euphrates.

Though many ancient seats of population and splendour in this part of Asia are now heaps of ruins or obscure villages, yet some flourishing cities still display the natural opulence and advantages of the country. In general, they are superior to the towns of European Turkey in commerce and civilization. The first place among these is due to Aleppo or Haleb, the capital of Syria. It is well built, in the Asiatic style, and with its mosques and other public edifices makes a very striking appearance. Its population is reckoned at 250000. It possesses thriving manufactures of silk and cotton; and by means of the caravans from Bagdad and Bassora is rendered a mart for the commodities of Persia and India. Several of the trading coun