The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 11, 1862.

LITERATURE.

Herzegovina ; or, Omer Pacha and the Christian
Rebels. By Lieutenant G. Arbuthnot, ME+,

F.R.G.S. Longman and Co.
Few, probably, among the number of those who
are accustomed to see periodical statements of the
want of harmony between the Porte and its Sla-
vonic provinces have a very definite idea as to the
real state of affairs in those districts, or know to
what extent the Christians or the Mussulmans are
to blame for the present disturbances ; and it is
with a view of enlightening the public, somewhat,
on these matters that Lieutenant Arbuthnot has
published the volume before us. Starting on his
journey in August, 1861, shortly after Omer Pacha
had been dispatched for the pacification of those
districts, he visited that officer's head-quarters,
saw some campaigning, penetrated as far as Bel-
grade, the Servian capital, and describes not only
the present condition of the country, but the influ-
ences that have occasioned it, and dilates, moreover,
on its natural products and capabilities of improve-
ment. Bounded on the north by Bosnia, on the
east by Servia, on the west by Dalmatia, and on
the south by Montenegro and the Adriatic, Herze-
govina comprises an area of about 8,400 square
miles. The country inland contains plains and
pasture lands capable of high cultivation, the moun-
tains aro well adapted for the olive and the vine,
dense forests are found in parts, and minerals
also exist, though to what extent appears to be very
imperfectly known. Indeed, the resources of the
country seem as yet quite undeveloped. The popu-
lation is about 182,000, of whom 52,000 are Catho-
lics, 70,000 belong to the Greek Church, and 60,000
remain Mussulmans. In the southern and eastern
parts of the province the Greek faith predominates,
and the author gives its adherents but a very indif-
ferent character. They are distinguished, he says,
for their activity and cunning, qualities which have
rendered them far wealthier than their brethren of
the Catholic communion. "The possession of com-
parative wealth, and the consciousness of the moral
support granted them by Russia, has made them
presumptuous and overbearing, hating alike all sects
and creeds which differ from their own. Their
ignorance is only equalled by the fanaticism which
results therefrom ; and so bitter is their detestation
of the Roman Catholics, that more than one instance
has been known of its leading to foul acts of mur-
der. Unoffending peasants have been taken in the
revolted districts and ordered to kneel and make the
sign of the cross, to prove the truth of the asser-
tion that they were not Mussulmans. The wretched
creatures confidently did so in accordance with the
Roman Catholic form, and their lives were uncere-
moniously forfeited to the bigotry and ferocity of
their unrelenting judges." But the author through-
out shows little leaning towards the so-styled
Christians of the province, and states that they are
inferior to the Musselmans in humanity. Speaking
of the latter he says, " I can myself vouch for the
lenity which they displayed when they have had
the power, and to wit great provocation to have
acted otherwise. The incontrovertible facts, too,
remain that Mussulman Turkey has been the first
to relinquish the unchristian custom of decapitating
prisoners, which the so-called Christians appear
little inclined to renounce. This will, of course,
meet with an indignant denial on the part of their
supporters ; but it must be a strong argument
which can overcome the disgust occasioned by the
sight of women without ears, children without
noses, and bleeding corpses of soldiers literally
hewn to pieces with knives, all of which I have
witnessed with my own eyes." His sympathies in
the present struggle are evidently with Omer
Pasha and the Turks, though he admits that the
Christians have certain grounds of complaint, thus—
" Equality before the law is the principal and first
thing to be established, and such at present is not
the case. Christian evidence, for example, is re-
ceived in criminal, but not in civil causes, i.e., in
questions concerning property. Moreover, even in
criminal causes of any importance, the decision of
the inferior courts, where Christian evidence is
admissible, is referred for confirmation to the
superior courts, where such testimony is not ac-
cepted. In defence of this it is urged, that
Turkish property would be endangered, if, in the
present demoralised state of society, Christian
evidence were admitted. But, while advancing
this argument, it is forgotten that this state is
traceable to the lax and vicious system pursued in
the Mussulman courts, where, as the only way of
securing justice for the Christians, Mussulmen wit-
nesses are allowed to give false evidence." Another
grievance of which the Christians complain is that
their young girls are carried off by the Moslem, a
practice which the author does not deny, though
he states it is dying out save in Northern Albania,
and he attributes the present unsatisfactory state of
affairs in the province to the demoralised condition
of the Christians themselves, combined with
Turkish misgovernment rather than to any syste-
matic oppression by the latter. In fact, as regards
civilisation, both parties seem about on a par, and
the author regards the country as a fine field for
missionary enterprise. Of Omer Pacha's talents he
has a high opinion, and he also speaks in ex-
tremely favourable terms of the capabilities of the
Turkish soldier. " Habits of order and obedience,"
he says, "which are only sustained in European
armies by the strictest discipline, form part of the
national character, and therefore render the minuter
details of military economy unnecessary," and " sin-
gularly enduring, brave, and obedient, they require
only good leading to form them into one of
the most effective armies of the world."
But of this there seems at present little prospect.
The officers are next to worthless, and the grossest
mismanagement prevails in military administration.
Indeed, so gross is the peculation that the greater
part of the army has received no pay for six-and-
twenty months. Under such circumstances, it is
only remarkable that it can bold together at all.
The sympathy of the Sultan is, it seems, with the
navy, on which he is expending large sums, with,
according to the author, small result; whereas he
states that, with proper management, the army
might be raised to such a state of efficiency as to
make the empire perfectly secure from foreign inva-
sion. The curious and praiseworthy feature of the
Turkish soldier is his sobriety, but this, even, is not
shared by thenofficers, " who appear," says the
author, " to think it the greatest privilege of their
position to get very drunk whenever the opportu-
nity offers itself." But as a military college has
a
considerable
been established, and the Government has expressed
its intention to appoint as soon as possible officers to
commands who have passed through it, a change for
the better may in course of time be brought about.
Meanwhile
the
Easternis
those
marked h wubisyseha . questiontoa
pI
spirit
iini
ts ldolbeffiar
essnaet find
dn ndtodhindeap inquiry,e presentrpersonal
certain
ona
phase
of l
observation,
volumend treats
of districts into which few have cared to
penetrate.

Union, Disunion, and Reunion : A Letter to
General Franklin Pierce. By Jchn L. Sullivan,
late Minister of the United States to Portugal.
Bentley. _ _

In this pamphlet on the war now raging in
America we find a very fair statement of the argu-
ments in favour of each of the contending parties ;
for, although Mr. Sullivan is evidently of the
Northern party, he is by no means blind to the fact
that there is much to be said for the opposite side.
Thus, speaking of the unfair system of taxation by
Which the South was mulcted for the benefit of the
wonder is that the South
has not risen in revolution against such a system
North to the extent of fifty millions of dollars a
year, he says--ic
long ago." The only
And he further condemns the irritating
policy of the abolitionists, but expresses his regret
that the South had not waited for another Presi-
dential election ; inasmuch as in that case "
publicaniaed Abolitionism" would probably have

been overthrown. " The South," he says, "is high
spirited and proud ; confident in its strength, clear
and fixed in its constitutional opinions. It had in
a thousand forms declared its determination in the
event of Abolitionised Sectionalism triumphing
over it, even in the person of Fremont, a
native of South Carolina, in 1856. It re-
peatedpiTmahrpet
eyt gei lnnoevle eBwso6a fs.
flungcAogr corn
iunnl
it in the fullest forms 'of committal in 1860.
dse fiflasacn6e byotf h eitBß espuupbpl cos ae nd
in and this time the
republican party became the North.. It would have
been sage and Christian to wait to see if it would be
done yet a third time, before girding on the dread
armour of civil war, and civil war for the dissolu-
tion of Washington's Union. But—l may be exe-
crated and exiled for it by my own section, or
imprisoned in Fort La Fayette, within sight of my
own home. I will nevertheless speak out the
honest truth—my sole wonder is that the entire
South did not, within three days after Mr. Lin-
coln's election, flash out in one blaze of insurrection
from Maryland to Texas." This is plain speaking.
Mr. Sullivan deserves credit for his boldness, and
we doubt not that his sentiments are shared by
hceouernaghednteod them.ehxepreevsisdentlydoubts;
lack Thatbts;
InthaenySowuhth will o
but he thinks reconciliation possible and strongly
con-
duct of England with lard to the slave question,
he speaks his mind freely and in a manner the re-
verse of complimentary. But we are accustomed
to free discussion upon our policy, and accept with
equal temper praise or blame.

Links in the Chain ; or, Popular Chapters on the
Curiosities of Animal Life. By George Kearley.
_ _

Hogg and Sons.
Although this book may be considered to be
especially intended for young people, we suspect
that there are very many of a larger growth who
will read it with pleasure ; inasmuch as it not
only conveys a good idea of the animal kingdom,
from its lowest to its highest forms, but is written
in an agreeable style, contains abundance of anec-
dote, and gives some very curious details respect-
ing animal economy. Thus speaking of the glow-
worm, the author tells us—" It is a pity to say
anything ungracious about a little creature so
wrapped up in poetical associations and pleasant
memories as the glo s-worm, and yet the truth
must be told. It feeds, then, good reader, not on
violets and primroses, not even on the common
greenery of the hedgerows, but on flesh—the flesh
of snails, and eats it most voraciously ! The glow-
worm strikes at the snail as it crawls along, and by
repeated bites speedily paralyses and kills its prey,
which it then commences devouring, and seldom
leaves for more than a few minutes until the whole
of the body is consumed. The voracity of the little
creature is extreme, and one may sometimes see
four or five of them together in a snail-shell, feast-
ing and gorging upon their prey, plunging their
little heads and erected mandibles into the viscera
of the snail, and continuing thus for hours
together."

Borne as it is. Done by Two Fools ? ? (Lomax and
Winter) Sold nowhere !! ! Published by the

Authors. 1862.

Such is the announcement on the title-page of
this little volume, which recounts how the authors
started for Rome in haste, and " did" that city in
six days; and bow, to wile away the time on the
journey, they concocted divers fictions, which are
here put in print. Ample information as to the
hotel accommodation, &c., on the route is also
afforded, and intending travellers to the Eternal
City may get from it some useful hints.

L Louisiana shore, was lined with our transports, ord-
nance, boats, &c., while directly opposite them,
three or four abreast, lay Farragut's and Davis's
fleet, scarcely two of which could fire without pour-
ing their broadsides into some of their own vessels.
All eyes were strained to see the cause of the Tyler's
commotion. The ram fleet which lay near the mouth
of the Yazoo, are scattering in every direction. A
moment more and the long-dreaded Arkansas steams
into full view, and heads right for the centre of our
fleet. Bang ! goes a giin at the ordnance boat Greet
Western, while, one from her port battery at the
rams, who are leaving in every direction. She now
passes the Richmond, whose splendid battery of 9-
inch Dahlgreni is held quiet by the J. H. Dickey,
.who lies just opposite. Bang ! bang !go two more
guns at the ordnance boat. Passing down. she puts,
balls into the Champion, while in the meantime her
port battery is busy with Farragut's fleet. Steadily
has
inhetrneu iawhtpiejul
tdtari
Itsleeui
d hke Heeahs
trt her way, nothing daunted, nothing
checked. She is now more than halfway down. She
passes
rheit
ef o
-rd;
inch
ecc
dm,but
nu thehospital,
o,stf
pho
ri net oat
hbvl le
nosoldr
Roeflueba
sdgr
osmnah
dioi
spsysi
es
s e,
which would have hailed on the Arkansas would have
with her cargo of human freight. The Oneida hits
produces no effect. The Wenona and Wissahicon
engage-her, but she passes their fire unscathed, un-
harmed. Can nothing burst the rebel monster P A
dubious shake of the head is the only response, as
ball after ball drops from her sides into the water.
Steadily but surely she keeps on her way, firing
one broadside at the transports, and the. other at
some vessel on the other side. She has nearly run
the gauntlet. One more boat only to dispute her
progress, and that the Cincinnati, which far below
the rest of the fleet is doing picket duty near the
point. All eyes are upon her, and a repetition of
her experience seems inevitable. On comes the
Arkansas, seemingly like Anteus of old, picking up
new strength at every step. She is sure of her
prey, and is making light for it. The Cincinnati
had not steam sufficient to tack on her or even
hardly enough to hold her head up stream. She
slipped [her cable, however, and headed for the
Mississippi shore, drifting down stream all the
time, her own motive power being insufficient to
stem the current. The Arkansas discovering her
intention, heads for her, when the gunboat opened
a brisk and galling fire on the advancing rebel at
short range, t'ae rifled Parrots apparently piercing
her, the other shots dropping harmlessly off. The
ram fires heavily as she advances, and is rapidly
gaining on her opponent. When just as all were
expecting a collision the Arkansas suddenly
' cheeks up, heads the other way, fires a parting
broadside, and rapidly leaves the Cincinnati behind
her. The gunboat had drawn her into too shallow
water, who she had no intention of being caught in.
The Cincinnati, assisted by the Wenona, kept up
an incessant fire until she had rounded the point
and was in the arms of her friends. This unparalleled
audacity and boldness elicit unqualified admiration
of all. Such a thing never took place before, and
will probably never take place again. In broad day-
light, in the very teeth of a hundred guns, this craft
slowly and deliberately made her way, selecting
her own victims, and hurling the glove of defiance
at the combined fleet. It is an example of cool,
daring courage unexampled, and the name of
" Catesby Jones," her commander, will be awarded
by all men as deserving a place among the list of
those " who know no fear." The fact of her success
is undoubtedly owing to the circumstances under
which she caught us. Our position and everything
worked against us. The Essex had discovered a I
burnt boiler the night before, and a new one was
being inserted at the time. The Louisville was
lying at the blacksmith boat repairing. The Sum-
ter had her waste pipe out and a new one being in-
serted. Everything worked in her favour. Those
boats that were all ready could not use their guns
for fear of doing more damage to their friends than
their foes.

I will leave comments on this singular transac-
tion for other pens than mine. Different persons
will, of course have different opinions. All that is
left us is to say what might have been, and resolu-
tions what we will do. The Arkansas is safe for a
time. I won't answer for her being so long.

Tyler . . • •
Carondelet ..
Lancaster.. ..
Benton .. - -

Killed. Wounded. Missing.
10 .. 33 .. 10
5 .. 20 .. 13
18 .. 10 .. -
1 .. 3 ..

34 .. 66 " 23
Lancaster shot in her boilers ; Dickey struck
three times ; Champion struck three times ; Great
Western struck once.