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    1828 , and exhibit his opinion of the Turkish character after a fire years ' residence in these countries , and perhaps a freer intercourse with the inhabitants than can possibly fall to the lot of travellers who are not of the medical

    profession . His work gives sufficient evidence of intelligence and competency for the task of an observer on the opinions and manners of men , as well as of freedom from that intolerance which marks the religious bigot , and from that irascibility and impatience which often lead travel ^ - Lers to hasty and ungenerous

    conclu-. Description of a Turkish Man of Quality . " His inherent hostility to Christianity is the first principle of his law , and the perfidy it is supposed to enjoin is the most prominent feature of his character : I say supposed to enjoiu , for though the Koran inculcates passim , the extermination ^ of Christians in open warfare , it

    nowhere approves of the treachery and inhumanity of which the priesthood make a merit . But persecution is one o-f the amiable weaknesses of all theologians ; and it would be a folly to stigmatize the church of Christ with the charge of intoleranee , because Calvin , moderate as He was , pursued a theological opponent even onto death . The most striking

    qualities of the Mtoslem are his pro fo in id ignorance , his insuperable arrogance , his Habitual indolence , and the perfidy which direct * his policy in the divan , and regulates his ferocity in the field . The defects in hie character are those of the nation ; they are tlie growth of sudden greatness —the intoxication of prosperity enjoyed without reason or restraint . Before

    conquest and plunder had exalted the nation on the ruin of other realms , the Turk was brave in the field , faithful to hi » friend , and generous to his foe . It was then unusual to commend the cu ( i of poison with a smile , and to beckon to the murderer with the oath of

    friendship on his lips : but treachery is now an accomplishment in Turkey ; and I have seen so much of it for some time past , that if my soul were not in some sort attuned to horrors , I should wish myself in Christendom with no other excitement than the simple murders of a Sunday newspaper . "—Pp . 18 , 19 .

    Turkish Character . " As to their moral qualities I cannot go to the length of Thornton ' s commendation , nor of De Totft ' e abuse . In my medical relations with them , 1 had much to admire and a great deal to condemn .

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    I found them charitable to the poor , attentive to the sick , arid kind to their domestics : but I also found them treacherous to € heir enemies , and thankless to their benefactors . Eight cases * of poisoning have fallen under my observation

    already ; five Of these victims I attended , and in every case the rataf dose did its deadly bushiest within efent and forty hours : but in most instances within twelve . Of all tfrinfcs in Turkey huma ^ i life is of the least value ; and of all tike roads to honour and ambition , murder is deemed the most secure . I sat beside a Candibte

    Turk at dinner , who boasted of having killed eleven men in cold blood ; and the society of this assassin was courted by the cousin of the Refe EJTeridi , at whose house I met him , because he was a « man of courage . * " —Vol . I . pp . 29 , 30 . Turkish Catechism and Morality . * ' What morals may be expected in a people who have such a catechism for children as the following passages are extracted from , is sufficiently obvious :

    < c Q . How must religion be promoted ? " ' A . By fighting against all who oppose the Koran till the infidels are cut off from the earth . " ' Q > How do you serve your Sultan ? " * A . By making my head- his footstool ; by living and dying' at' his

    pleasure . " There are many parts appertaining to the Unity of God in this same catechism worthy of a better religion . But unfortunately , however excellent some of their doctrines may be , they have but little influence over their dreadful vices . I doubt if the cities which once stood on the shores of the Dead Sea , could even afford a parallel to the infamy openly avowed and practised in the Turkish metropolis . " —P . 73 .

    Turkish Treatment of Christians . " In eveiy corner of the city , a pack of hungry dogs are suffered to prowl , for the diversion they afford in worrying all Frank passengers ; and nothing can exceed the amusement of the Turks when they behold a Christian mangled by these

    ferocious animals . I can safely say I have never once passed through the bazaars without having the dogs set on me by the men ; without having stones pelted at rae by the boys ; or being spit upon by the women , and cursed as an Infidel and a CaffVe by all .

    " I was ' very near having a sword put through me for chastisingr a * little rascal who flung a stone at my head ; and on

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    62 Miscellaneous Correspondence .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1831, page 62, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2593/page/62/