wholly approve the appearance of any encomium on the old monarchy, unchecked by legal and wholesome restrictions, such as are wisely provided by the British Constitution, to prevent those excesses which ever flow from power,—always naturally thirsting for farther extension. Mr. H.'s account of his journey from Smyrna to Vienna, though perhaps superabounding with moral reflections and common remarks, will probably be perused with interest and advantage by those who may have occasion to pursue the same route. His character of the Turks may be selected as a specimen of his manner of writing: • With the origin of the Turks you are already well acquainted; and it would be superfluous, whilst I am addressing myself to you, to enumerate the various causes which combined to render them not only a respectable but a formidable nation.-But that vigour and persevering activity which, at the beginning of their history, shone forth so conspicuously, and which, at one time, were tearing up every obstruction which checked the progress of their arms, have, long since, totally disappeared.-At present, they are an enervated, a superstitious, an ignorant and a sluggish people; the declared enemy of the arts and sciences; and the firm opposer of every useful institution:Too stupid to comprehend, or too proud to learn, or too infatuated to be convinced, although they are surrounded on almost every side by civilized and enlightened nations, their attachment to opinions which are founded in folly, and upheld by prejudice, does not diminish. When we consider what a long period of time has elapsed, since the light of reason first began to dispel the thick cloud of ignorance which darkened the face of Europe, and, by degrees, to rouse, to inform, to refine, and to illumine the understanding of man, we are astonished that this people should have remained stationary, and, in spite of the influence of example, should still be guided by an unshaken adherence to their former notions and errours. • Whilst we are making the remark, we feel inclined to investigate the cause whence such a blind, deep-rooted veneration originates.-Is it occasioned by the natural disposition of the people?-Surely not.Does it then arise from the vices of a government, which is peculiarly framed to deaden the faculties of the mind, and to eradicate the feelings of the heart?-Much may, no doubt, be attributed to its influence; yet that wonderful degree of mental apathy and bodily indolence, which they have gradually allowed to overwhelm them, appears to me to be principally derived from a still more potent source. It is the ridiculous doctrines of their religion (engrafted in a moment of enthusiasm, and cultivated and strengthened by the imposing arts of succeeding ages) which, though first used as an instrument to excite, have been since employed as an engine to crush the restless propensity of man. The firm belief of predestination, which is a principal article of faith, and one of the indispensable duties of a Mussulman, is, perREV. FEB. 1797 N haps, 1 haps, the most powerful political machine, which stupidity ever submitted to, or craft ever devised. Whether obedience is to be insured, or sedition promoted, it is equally calculated to impose on the credulity of the multitude; and to the prevalence of this absurd tenet, many of the revolutions, which have happened at Constantinople, may be traced. A Turk regards every occurrence of his life with the same torpid indifference; and, being fully persuaded, that no exertion or prudence can prolong his happiness, or avert his destruction, it very frequently happens, that neither the prospect of security, nor the approach of danger, can animate his perceptions, or awaken him from his lethargy.-Grave and uncommunicative, rather from habit than from nature, as if the pleasures of society were totally estranged from his breast, he trifles away his life in the listlessness of indolence and inactivity; and, as if entirely separated from the concerns of the world, and uninterested in the welfare of his species, he scarcely ful fils one duty which can render him serviceable to his fellow-creatures! -If he reads the Coran a specified number of times; prays at stated hours, either at home or at mosque, five times a day; and conforms to a few of the positive ordinances of his Prophet; he imagines that he has discharged every thing which is either requisite or important, and that, as a recompense for such exact and scrupulous obedience, he has secured, in a future state, the endless and voluptuous enjoyments of his ideal paradise. Superstition, which is the mother of the strangest absurdities and contradictions, notwithstanding the fatalism of the Turks, disposes them to celebrate eclipses with extraordinary solemnity.-If one happens to occur during the night, they are roused from their slumbers by the cries of the Muezzins; and, on hearing the summons, they instantly rise; repair to their mosques; and, by vows and supplications, endeavour to avert the menaces of such an alarming omen. How easily might these stupid fears be removed by a little knowledge in astronomy! But superstition and ignorance must ever go hand in hand. Their religion is supported at an immense expence.-Its ministers, of whom the Mufti is the head, are innumerable; and the revenues of some of the royal mosques amount to the almost incredible sum of 60,000l. sterling. The Mufti is appointed by the Grand Seignor. He is Sovereign Pontiff, expounder of the law of Mahomet, and supreme director of all religious concerns. He is regarded as the oracle of sanctity and wisdom; and having an extensive authority, both over the actions and consciences of men, his office is one of the most dignified and lucrative in the empire. The Turks are very proud, which is one great cause of their gravity and their taciturnity. Laughter and familiar_conversation are, in their ideas, derogatory from dignity. They affect to hold, in thorough contempt, the Greeks, the Jews, the Armenians and the Franks, whom they abuse in the streets, calling them infidels and christian dogs.-The Greeks are oppressed by them in numberless ways; and as for the poor Jews, they are the objects of such complete obloquy and scorn, that they are buffeted, and plucked by their beards, beards, wherever they are met.-In some few respects, however, the Turks are well-meaning, hospitable and charitable.-The bestowing of alms, is one of the principal duties of their religion, and there are various institutions, in different parts of the empire, for the relief of poor Mussulmen; for the erection and maintenance of hans or inns for the accommodation of indigent travellers; and for enabling the needy to perform their pilgrimage to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, which pious expedition every believer in the faith of Mahomet is bound to undertake, at least once in the course of his life *. They are are also very careful of their domestic animals. Of their horses they are passionately fond; and such is their respect for dogs, that at Constantinople there is a public charity for their sup port. Their seminaries, for the instruction and enlargement of the hu man understanding, are not very numerous. They would ill accord with the principles of a government, which can only last in proportion as ignorance prevails. Yet there are, both at Constantinople and Brusa, royal colleges, where the students are instructed in Arabic and the knowledge of the Coran. This is all the scholars are permitted to learn, and all the masters have the wisdom to teach. Friday, among the Turks, is more respected than any other day in the week, because they believe it was on that day, Mahomet fled from Mecca to Medina. In their persons, independent of their dress, they are cleanly, their religion enjoining frequent ablutions; and, for the convenience of the public, fountains are erected on all the principal roads of the empire. These ablutions are, indeed, so often repeated, that the punctual observance of them must be very troublesome, and, in many instances, highly unnecessary and ridiculous; yet the Turks, in this respect, are very conscientious.-But whilst they are so exact and pertinacious, in attending to the outward forms and ceremonies of their religion, its essence and spirit are, in most cases, neglected; and whilst they rigidly observe what they might with innocence omit, they openly violate what it is criminal to disobey.--Unfortunately for the world, this reproach is, I fear, applicable to every other country as well as Turkey; for such is the folly and fallibility, or the perverseness and obduracy of human nature, that the most sacred obligations are very frequently, either openly infringed, or artfully evaded, when they are repugnant to our ideas of happiness, or inconsistent with our views of pleasure, convenience or profit.' The Turks are very fond of chess, which is a game that corresponds with the gravity of their tempers. An anecdote was not long since related to me, which proves, at once their partiality for this *The pilgrims for Mecca set out from Constantinople in a ca ravan in the month of May, and repair to Damascus, where they join the other pilgrims from Natolia and Asia. Afterwards they unite with those that come from Persia, and from Egypt, and other parts of the Ottoman empire. The whole number commonly amounts to 60,000 pilgrims. See Habccci's Present State of the Ottoman Empire, p. 96.' N 2 amusement, amusement, and their indifference about matters of much higher con cern.-An Aga had incurred the displeasure of his Sovereign, and the warrant for his execution arrived, whilst he was engaged at chess. The game was nearly over, and he begged the officers, who were the messengers of his fate, to delay the sentence for a few minutes, that he might have the satisfaction of beating his adversary. His request was granted; and, when the game was finished, he thanked them for their civility and condescension; kissed the order which deprived him of life; and submitted, with the greatest composure, to the stroke of the executioner.' With regard to the women, you must depend on the accounts of others, as no man, but he to whom they belong, is ever permitted to see them.-As, however, I have mentioned them, I shall beg leave to add, that my ideas of their happiness are totally opposite to those of a justly celebrated female writer*; and, I think, that by a re ference to the strongest principles of our nature, the force and propriety of my opinion may be easily established. In a country where a plurality of wives is authorized by law, and where one man, in addition to this license, is also permitted, without any breach of the morality which he has been taught, to immure in his haram as many female slaves as His purse can purchase, the sex must infallibly be tyrannized over and degraded. It is deprived of its natural rights. It is denied its natural protection. It is forbidden the chaste enjoyments of reciprocal friendship and love. It is robbed of its dignity and its honour, which are its brightest attrac tions. It is compelled to pay obedience to a wretch whom it despises, and whilst it despises, to submit to the gratification of his lust. -Can any thing be more unjust? Can any thing be more horrible?Are these the suggestions, the dictates of Nature?—No!―They are an abandoned perversion of her purest, her mildest, her most valuable 6 Lady Mary Wortley Montague.' + The Haram is the term given to the apartments in which the women are confined. They are always in a retired part of the premises, and are surrounded and secured by lofty walls. They are aid to be, in general, fitted up with splendour and taste. Before them, are spacious areas, which are partly paved with marble, and decorated with fountains, shrubberies and parterres of flowers. They have large doors and windows, and are extremely well ventilated. The haram is strictly and vigilantly guarded by Eunuchs, and no man, except the master, is allowed to enter. Locks and bolts cannot, however, confine the instincts of nature, and the women, with the assistance of the Jews, contrive to carry on many intrigues, particularly at the season of the Bairam, when they are often permitted to go to the public baths, and even to walk about the streets. I have been speaking all along, of the women belonging to the rich, for the higher the quality of the person, the closer the confinement. The women of shopkeepers and people of that description are not watched by Eunuchs, and go to the public baths three or four times a week. The master of the house could not afford the expence of such an attend. ance, or of baths at home.' sentiments. They are a shameless, insulting tyranny, achieved by the powerful and strong over the weak and helpless: and, whatever is so wide, so revolting a deviation from those propensties and principles, which Nature has, with her own hand, in distinct and indelible characters, written in our hearts, cannot possibly be productive of any thing but hatred, discontent and misery.' The author's character of the modern Greeks (Christians, such as they are!) is not, on the whole, much more favourable to them, than his account of their haughty oppressors the Mohammedans is to the bigotted followers of the Arabian Prophet: but there can be little doubt that the poor Greeks would make a more respectable appearance in the pages of history, and in the descriptions of travellers, could they throw off the galling fetters of that horrid slavery which oppresses their bodies by cruelty, and debases their minds by the most deplorable ignorance. Capt. B....y. ART. X. Letters on Christianity: by James Edward Hamilton, Esq. IN N3 rather |