The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-22 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

to fight only, is the duty of the Mahometan.
Industrial pursuits are left to the Christian
races ; and so far does the intellectual ad
vancement of these exceed that of their mas-
ters, that the arts of commerce, navigation,
manufactures, and even the functions of civil
administration, depend for their development
mainly on the former. Of this unequal parti-
tion of duties the result is manifest. The Ma-
hometan population of European Turkey does
not exceed now three millions; it was formerly
threefold greater; while the Greek Christians
are increasing both in numerical and political
importance. Property is held even by Mus-
sulmen on an uncertain tenure; a heavy tax,
of fluctuating amount, is imposed on succes-
sions ; perpetual settlement is only possible
by the legal evasion of bequeathing the estate
to a mosque, which allows the heirs to enjoy
it on payment of a reasonable rent. It is
reckoned that these " ecclesiastical trustees,"
as they are fitly designated, hold two-thirds of
the land ; and since the real owner is legally
a mere tenant, while the proprietor in law has
no interest in an increase of the value, this
system is fatal to agricultural improvement.
A similar effect has been produced in an even
greater degree by the laws which, in name at
least, precluded Christians from becoming
owners of the soil. But while the interest of
the producer, and the increase of consump-
tion, are little cared for, peculiar anxiety is
shown to guard against a rise of prices in the
towns, which, by causing discontent, might
endanger public tranquillity. At ene time the
principalities were not allowed to export grain
elswhere than to Constantinople. At all times
the export duties are higher than those on
imports. The great cities are fed not by the
adjoining provinces, but from beyond the sea.
This policy may, as matters stand, be prudent,
for government is weak in Turkey, and a riot
may speedily swell into a rebellion.
Of the character of the Turks our author thinks
highly. Bravery in war is conceded to them
on all hands, and has been lately proved : they
are singularly trustworthy, honest except whore
public affairs are concerned (a distinction not
unknown in Western Europe), and, though
cruel when under the influence of military or
religious excitement, at other times gentle and
humane. Nor have they been persecutors in
general—their rule is to tolerate all sects, while
admitting none to participate in power : thus
the Greek clergy are held in honour, although
they have occasionally suffered martyrdom at
the hands of a mob when foreign aggression
or internal revolt had stimulated its latent
fanaticism. The revenue varies from 6,000,0001.
to 7,000,0001., less than a seventh part of that
raised in Great Britain; yet even this small
amount is not collected without trouble, the
land in particular paying ten per cent. on pro-
duce, besides seventeen per cent. on income of
every description. In many of the provinces
a village-system exists, not unlike that of
India, and originating in the same cause,—the
necessity of combination for self protection
against the agents of an arbitrary Government.
It works well, and is probably found conve-
nient by the Turks themselves, since it enables
them to apportion and collect taxes with little
difficulty. Sir Archibald, as may be inferred
from the tendency of the evidence which he
has amassed, looks with distrust on the sta
bility of Turkey as an Ottoman monarchy. A
Byzantine empire is his solution of the Eastern
problem. He denies, we think rather too con
fidently, that an extensive intermixture of
races interposes any real obstacle to this re-
sult, instancing Greece before the Persian war,
Italy before the conquest of Carthage, England
in Saxon times, and France during her civil
wars, as proofs that a powerful and prosperous
community may arise out of an amalgamation
of heterogeneous elements. The kingdom of
Greece is not in his eyes a failure. Since her
independence was declared the population has
doubled ; commerce has increased ; Athens
contains four times as many inhabitants as it
did under Turkish rule ; and the popular cha-
racter, though defaced by some servile vices,
manifests signs of improvement. If honesty
and patriotism appear wanting in Greek poli-
tics, it must yet be remembered that, in the
national struggle for independence, acts of
heroism were performed which would do
honour to any country. Witness the defence