On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    October 14, 1854. THE LEADER. 979

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Turkey—Its History Ani> Progress. From T...

    The Multequa distinguishes the state of absolute and unconditional slavery ( Kyoolelik ) , the mezoul , the niukiateb , the mudebMr , the niudebberi-mukiatib , and , lastly , the ummul velid . The first condition is rigorous slavery , and bears the greatest resemblance to that obtaining among the ancients . The slaves called Meezoun , are those , who have received from their masters permission to set up in business , ot work on their own account . They may buy , sell , acquire , and enjoy property . They may purchase slaves , and in dealing with their masters , may compel the latter to pay debts for goods furnished or money lent . They . are responsible for their own acts and debts , and may be seized and sold to repay one or the other- But they cannot realise either money ot chattels -without their master ' s consent until they die . Even in that case , if they happen to die intestate , or without Issue , the master is their legal heir . Their children are likewise their masters' property , supposing their father dies without being manumitted : but , as a set-off , these children are also Meezoun .

    The MuMatibs are slaves who have received a KJtabet or contract . Their freedom is made to depend upon their performance of certain conditions agreed on with their roasters , such as the payment of sti 2 > ulated sums of money , the performance of sojne given task , the execution of any hazardous enterprise , and so forth—always providing that such services are not contrary to law , in which case the contract becomes void . This is enacted in order to prevent masters from inciting their slaves to commit « rimes under the promise of liberty . Until the stipulations are fulfilled by the holders of contracts , they enjoy its privileges , with the addition that they cannot be sold , lent , or let out to work . They likewise receive permission to travel for purposes of trade or pleasnre . They can purchase slaves , and grant them the same advantages enjoyed by themselves , and the moment the slaves accomplish their engageaaent , no matter , how soon ^ -they are unconditionally free . On the other hand , should they fail in fulfilling the conditions within the appointed period , their contract betfomes void , . and they relapse into unconditional slavery .

    The Mudebbirs are slaves whom their masters have freed by a deed called Tebhir -ftrhieh represents some future period . For instance : if the master returns from . a . voyage , or , in case of his death , this tebbir , delivered to the slave , and registered at ± he office of the Judge of the quarter , cannot be cancelled even by mutual consent Whenjhese contracts are made , the slave thus declared " privileged to act condition-Ally , obtains no immediate advantages or civil rights ; he may be sold , hired out , or lent . But here the tebbir produces its effect , for the deed remains valid , and consequently , although the slave be sold and become the property of another , his liberty 13 ansured the moment the stipulated contingency takes place . The Mudebberi Mukiatib are those slaves who have obtained both a kitabet and a tebbir , and enjoy the advantages of both conditions .

    The Ummul Velid is a class composed entirely of females , whose children have * een adopted or acknowledged hy proprietors . The mothers are then called ummul velid ( mothers of children ) , and are divided into different sections , according to the degrees of paternal responsibility . For instance : if a slave becomes pregnant by the master's father she is the ummul velid of the former ,, who is held responsible for her maintenance . But if the master ' s son be tlie parent , the charge of maintenance rests -with the former , that is , where father and son are joint proprietors . In the first case ihe female becomes unconditionally free , and , at the death of the father , the child is the leguimate heir of the deceased . In the second , the child is equally legitimate out the mother ' s dejure manumission is prospective , unless legally acknowledged by ihe survivor . Until this acknowledgment takes place , the civil condition of the ummul velid differs little from tliat of unconditional slaves , save that they cannot be -sold or alienated in any way . It may be laid down as a general rule , that the moment a female slave becomes pregnant , she "becomes entitled to all the privileges of an ummul velul ; and should force , accident , ' or the visitation of Providence prevent ma-. turity , her title is not vitiated . This class is , therefore , the most general in Constantinople , ani though the law does not recognise the woman's freedom at once social practice a-wards to hex all the privileges .

    Th (» law , which distinguishes these six conditions of slavery , has regulated with the most extreme care all the immunities attaching to each ; but , even in the first class , it does not go so far as to pronounce the master ' s absolute right over the slave The slave belongs to him ; he may dispose of him , sell or give him away but he cannot put him to death . He cajmot either ill-treat him , or beat him unjustly or trive him work above his strength , or refuse him food and necessary clothing : if he does so the slave lias a right to lodge a complaint with the Oadi . The deposition of a slave is received by the Courts : he may marry' even without his master's consent ; but the latter has the right to annul the marriage . The absolute enfranchisement ( Itk ) of the slave , 13 the result of different degrees in the social scnle above described or is snontaneously effeotod by the will of the master . The enfranchisement of a female in-eenant slave naturally entails that of the infant she bourn .

    Such are the principal arrangements of the Multequn , with reference to slaves It will be seen from our sketch , that slavery , as it exists in Turkey , loses almost all its seventy . Slaves , generally speaking , are more happy , better treated , and loss subject to tho accidents and changes of life , than the free servants in Turkey , and superior in tins regard to tho general class of domestics in Europe . At any rate , they may be regarded as enjoying absolute felicity , if we compare thuir condition with that of the negroes in Christian countries . Male slaves are rarely retain ud in bombigo more than seven or nine years , unless When purchased in infancy or born in slavery . Exception ,, occur , but are declared reprehensible in a religious sense . The great majority of master * liberate their Hlaves at the specified time . If thoy arc well-conducted , they arc recommended as in or outdoor servants . If they have learned a tmdo , their master cither flmploya thorn as shopmen or journeymen , or olso places thorn with other master * , v > noru their success depends upon thgir industry ¦ but whou Hbor . itud , thVy moatly prefer nernng as domestics to working at sudunury trncloa , or those requiring strong

    Sometimes , indeed very frequently , thu alavo refuse * the liborty which la offered aa nrli 'T '" ^ , , Hervia > s- llu t '" - ' * "iiitluues t » rcwldu in tlm house , when "gcci , ha lH freed from any labour , und con .-tiilurt .-il to form one of the family , whiles his solo occupation consists in taking thu children out for an airing , or playing with ilium ¦ u nder the endearing name of bubti ( father ) . The h 1 ,, vu who ha * thus r « lW-d the bmuilits ¦ 01 ronnaiiHMwon , takes tho iwnne uf AssnrlJte-KouH . Tho cold . riilu . l iriimuln 1 ' u . ihu , BrfhnTif " to the rank of Grand Admiral by the- friendship of lib m »» tor oolim III ., novor called hnnswlf by any other title in hU \ vtu-ra

    „ . POPULATION . l no population of Turkey In Europe ohmm * of n fusion of various nations ; and an ] . remark * wo may make about them will l >» « . r , uiilly rfforril . lt , to tho population of iWKey m Asia , at loast as regards the Turk * , Tartar * , Urcckrt , Arm «/ ilaiw , aud IfrfSl 3 »^ ll i ln * he , flrBt 'nntnnoc , examine tho nationality of the various mow that SmuUH 7 T ft " ° ' in ( l Mlllt tlll ! Turk * " > f f " " > 'l minority of tho ShlK 1 5 ° VCn lurktah ftutlioritUw Htutu them to amount oi . lv to 1 , 100 , 000 , SSLST l » BtUt T ulUf ) , «» tlm « te tlwia at 700 , 000 or 800 , 000 . They an , mo » nuraorou , in Bommiu or Uuuwliu : then in Macedonia mid Theswily 1 lctw numeroua

    m Bulgaria and Albania , and only thinly spread over Bosnia . In Moldavia and Walladiia , no Turks have been allowed to dwell since 1829 , and in Servia tlioy ' confined to the city of Belgrade , where they amount to not more than GO 00 . The majority of the population of European Turkey- is composed of Slavonians amounting , according to Turkish authorities , to 7 , 200 , 000 , but by others stated to be nearly 9 , 000 , 000 . They are composed of the Bulgarians , Servians , llosuians Croats m Turkish Croatia or Carnia , and the Morlaehs in the Herzegovine . Next in number to the Slavonians are the liumelians or Roinani , to whom the Moldavians and Wallachians belong , 4 , 000 , 000 in number , wlio call themselves Rumuryi , and who , though not actually descendants of the Romans , were greatlyinfluenced by their intercourse with that nation , especisilly as regards the language , which is derived from the Latin . This is seen from the fact that if a l \ Ioldavo-Wallaehjan peasant is addressed in Italian , he listens attentively , and recognises the familiar sound .

    The number of Albanians or Arnauts is estimated at 1 , 500 , 000 ; for they are not confined to Albania , but are scattered over several other provinces , although their chief place of settlement is Albania . They are descendants of the old Epirotes or lllyrians ; other ethnographers , however , as 9 ert that they are descendants of the Albanians , who formerly lived in Caucasus , and were identical with the Alans . The number of Greeks in European Turkey is assumed to be 1 , 000 , 000 . They cannot be regarded as true descendants of the old Hellenes : for centuries they have displayed a strong mixture of the Slavonic element . They are very numerous in Thessiily , Macedonia , the islands , aud Constantinople , and are to be met with in all the provinces of the empire . The number of Armenians is estimated at 400 , 0 . 00 . The Armenians , wlio derive their name from their native country in Asia , whence they dispersed over the whole world , in order to devote themselves to their favourite pursuit , commerce , aru most numerous in Constantinople and other emporiums of trade .

    The Tartars , who are related to the Turks , though differing from them in many respects , have taken up their abode principally at the mouths of the Danube , and in the valleys of the Balkan . They number about 230 , 000 , and jire chiefly employed as couriers . The number of Gipsies in European Turkey is estimated at about 80 , 000 . They are most numerous in Moldavia and Wallachia , and tieside this , Inhabit' a branch of the Balkan , called after them , the Tchengive Balkan , i n the neighbourhood of Phillip-The Jews in European Turkey , where their number is said to be only 7 W , 000 , are principa ll y descendants of the Jews expelled from Portugal and Spain . Tliey speak the Ungua Franca , a mixture of Italian , Spanish , and Turkish , dress in the Turkish fashion , and chiefly reside in the larger cities . Their chief abode is in Constantinople . . :

    With reference to religion , the population is divided differently from the nationality . The state religion is the Muhammadan , and . this is the faith not only of the Turks , but also of the Tartars , and a portion of the Bulgarians , the Bosnians , and -the Albanians . According to Turkish statistics they amount to 3 , 800 , 000 ^ But although Muhammadanism is the ^ religion of the state , the Christians form the great majority of the population , and they are estimated at 11 , 030 , 000 . Of these nearly 11 , 000 , 000 belong to the Greek Church , and consist not only of the Greeks , but of tlie Moldavians , Wallavhians , Servians , and Montenegrins , the majority of the Bulgarians , and a part of the Bosnians and Albanians . The number of Catholics in European Turkeyis calculated at 260 , 000 , and to these belong the Croats in Carnia and a part of the Bosnians , Bulgarians , and Albanians , as well as a few Greeks and Armenians . The number of Protestants , principally among the Franks , may amount to 5 , 0 .

    00-W ~ e can only give one specimen of ! that portion of the work which , having no reference whatever to the title , gives characteristics of Sir James Port « r , and some notion of the sort of diplomatic life led in his clay . Mere isau account of an interview-he' had with the head of'the then all-powerful Pelhiims , concerning his functions at "Vienna , and the English view of the Austrian crisis of J 742 : Wlien I arrived in the month of May , I found the . Ministers as . undecided ae thoy appeared to me when I was absent ; Lord CSranville , then Lord Carterct , jilohe had just ideas of our situation , and the necessity oi" a formed , determined plan , and as determined an execution . The KLng was fully convinced of the propriety and rectitude of his political sentiments , but as that Minister had neitluir tho Treasury , nor consequently the power of Parliament in hid hands , ho was obliged to submit / and to be drawn by those Ministers who hail both .

    The Duke of Newcastle really , or by an affected credulity , ne <' , med in a labyrinth , unresolved , undetermined , and by thej combined lies of all tho Ministers of the several powers in hostile opposition to the Jlousu of Austria , who daily invented them , had the strongest prepossessions that that house wan not wortli supporting , a language he hud taken out of their mouths . After numy embrace * from lii . s grace on my appearance , ho begun his discourse ; expressing his ' dilJLdenct ; of tho Grand Dwko oi Tuscany ' s sobriety , he asked me , with mucli emotion , how it luui happened tiiut ao > accomplished a prince , whom he much uO ' uctioned when he was liore as l > u . k « of Lorrain , uould fall into Hitch a low , pernicious vice as tlmt of continual druiikeriiuiss , that a cloud of evidences had iisaurod' him of the fact . 1 a . ikoil his graces , witli ^ nwtl composure and a siuile , whether he had over . s 11 eh advice from Mr . Kobiiisoii or me ? whether we should not have been inexcusable in omitting ho notorious 11

    circum-Btancu , relating to a character we knew made tho object of tho King's aud tins national hope , us ji MictwHHor to this Imperial dignity ; that 1 could iiHAitra him , from thu moat intimate knowledge of that prince , nnd from public notoriety , tlmt that report was a most infamous calumny ; tiiut imirl ho far fro in any nw : h Hitspieioii , it wan most certain hu could not bear u single glass of wine , or of any liquor Htrongor than pur « wnter ; that tlio waters of the hemlitnry countrieH ha « l besen examined by jihyn ' Mimi * , and wcighod , to diseovor the liglitust for his uso , und thut ho never travelled ' without a ( junutity of water prodiuiod by n Hpriiifr in Vienna , callod the Urindfl , which wan disi'inud tlie imreHt and lightest . I could uvuii further uvor , that hia physi < . 'iiui , Dr . Baiiuii , wlio hiit . l Ixjfin with him from hit Infancy , often deplorud with 1110 Hint ho could nc ! V ( srp *! rsini ( l ( i Ins n » y « l liighiKsrtH to try a glanu of toluiy , as ho { lum ^ ht it would b « a proper cordial to liin conntituliou , for tho cinMilution of tlii ! IjIooiI win very languid , though lie apprehended n tlufaut in tho formntioii of tho Hlcrnum , nlildi

    wn « rumor too narrow ; Im-hIUoh that 1 hud hbuii him fro < juently at his muni * , without tnlting any other liquid but puro water . 1 niturned to Kngluud , fully determined to quit , the Kind ' s Hcirvioo : to « U « lni li / md « with ambition in that lino , and ti > nest down lit home coiitont . cil with my "wn hiluailou ; my fnrluuc uhhv , and thu jinrnprnst of a lurjro aiuiiiiiL iiicrmwo . i ' ' •'' lUn-cnlin ^ ly llxod my plan , but whuthcr from u prucoucitivod k ()( "I o |» inioii < if my z <" ' t ur « ln-tliur from lii .-i Mujimty ' ti up ] irobation of ( hatpa |> ar 1 hud givtut In , 1 /''"" I'l mym If <; l / li ^ ud by tho Minluturrt to return to Viunnu , on a morn cnlaivfi-d jdnii tUnn 1 lm < l b ^ nMx'torc OHl ( i » ihil > ly un ^ ii ^ ud in 1 Ihoy uxprii . i . wd hi .-t MnJuMy ' n mid 'l '" Ir «\ mi dt .-hJrn in tho Ht . roi )^(! nt tcmiH . I an firmly duclinod , m » tlmv wn ' m i . r . ; n . iiii ;< ; tlmy tlion « lit I persisted moroly on a vitiw of wmio connidemlilo "( IoimhiuLh , wliich w . ru roinot < i from my tho ! i htrt . ir ( , wnvor , Lord Omnvillo tompled mo in lh « Kin K ' M inimo with any f : h « - rattur , any honour , or oinolumunt , I nhould i » nk or denin ; . TIiuho hud no vll ' wAi

    October 14, 1854. The Leader. 979

    October 14 , 1854 . THE LEADER . 979

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 14, 1854, page 19, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_14101854/page/19/