Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-08-16
Habits of the Montenegrines.

|
We have recently published information of the
difficulty existing between Turkey and Monte
negro The following article from Chambers
Journal, in reference to the manners and customs
of the Montenegrines, will be read with interest
All the inhabitants had clothes of frieze. resen-
bling closely those of Bulgaria; but instead ofthe
woolly caps, many of them wore black skull caps
and wide mowsers and tights from the knee to the
ankle: those who lounged about having a stroo-
kah, which is like the Turkish cloak, but of a
dirty white color, and the pile inward so long,
coarse and shaggy, as to be like the fleece OF q
sheep. The necks and breasts of the men were
bsre.and all wore miserable sandals Eachmale
wore arms. the waist-belt like that of an Alb nan
showing bundle of pistols and dirks, which
brought TO mind the old hera dc motto ..Aye
ready!o So predominant, indeed, is the idea oi
the soldier over tina, ofthe citizen, that when a
child is baptized, pistols are put to the infants
mouth to kiss, and then laid in the cradle beside
him and one of the favorite toasts drank on the
occasion is, MAY he never die in his bed !''-
The dress of the women was Of dirty white cloth
and in cut its family likeness to the old costume
of Servia isrecognized but the details are coarser
and show poorer and more barbarous people.
| On entering one of the cottages, through a
whirl-wind of smoke issuing by the door, its only
| point of egress, he saw that it was divided into
| three compartments, separated by rude basket
work-one for the family, one for cattle, and one
for sheep.
Such is the salubrity of the climate here, that
| the French resident mentions having met with a
man who had lived to see the sixth generation OF
his family; the old man himself being | II years
Of age; his son 100 his grandson nearly 81 his
great grandson had attained his Goth year the son
of the latter was 43; his son Il, and his grand
child two years OF age.
Cetgne the capital of this extraordinary terri
tory traveller describes as being rather forti-
fled convent surrounded by scattered houses, than
town; but there is large government house,
styled the Archiepiscopal Palace, and an inn uni
ting the characters Of European hotel and an a.
static khan. The Vladika, or Archbishop was alb
sent at the time but our traveller was shown by
the archimandrite the convent, containing school
room, where thirty two boys were at work on the
elements of knowledge. A hundred yards of Is
the new Government house, built by the present
Vladika, and going thlther, we found billiard
room. to combine pleasure and business, in which
the Senate was then sitting. The brother Of the
Vladika was seated at the upper end of the room
on black leather easy-chair, smoking pipe.
| An appeal case was going on, and gigantic
broad shouldered man, with his belt full pistols,
was pleading his cause with great animation. 1t
appeared that he was priest that his parishion-
ers owed him each ten oaks of grain per annum,
but this year could not pay him; and the Presi-
dent decided that he should remi: as much as pos
sible on the score of the bad times, but that he
should keep an account. and be repaid at mere
prosperous season. The senators sat all round the
| boir ,o1
| often extremely vociferous. There are no writ
ten laws in Montenegro, and there is no venaity,
as in the Turkish courts Of Justice; but they lean
somewhat to the side of the most warlike lltigant,
SO that it may be said that club law has not yet
ceased.
This spirit is kept up by the petty warfare
which still goes on the borders of The Lake of Sou
tari, where bands of forty or fifty Montenegrines
descend every now and then to ''lft" the cattle
of the Moslem 1t never strikes the Montene
| grine that this is immoral, the shedding of the
blood of Mosem, being in his eyes not only
lawful, but laudable and mother will often re-
proach'. her aggard son by contrasting his remain
inc at home, with their father, who killed such
and such number of Turks. The result of this
is, that all the debatable land is cultivated by men
armed to the teeth.
But robberies or theft within the Montenegrine
territory are rare. When an execution does take
place, it has all the snguarty of the restof their
manners. Representatives of all the forty tribes
assemble with loaded guns, and the criminal. with
his hands bound behind him, has short space &c
run, when all fire upon him and he is generally
dispatched but instances have been known Of his
getting off with wound.
A Montenegrne is always armed. and carries
about during his most peaceful occupation, rifle,
pistols. yatagan and a cariouch-box. The Mon
tenegrines spend their leisure time in firing al a
target, and are accustomed to this exercise from
their boyish years. Their very games and "a
musemenis bear the stamp OF a military character,
and they are admitted by all to be the most skill
ful shots. Being Injured TO hardships and prva-
tions, they perform. without fatigue, and in high
spirits, very long and forced marches. They
leap over wide bitches, supporting themselves OH
their long rifles, and pass over precipices where
bridges would be absolutely requisite for every
other kind of troops, and they climb the steepes
rocks with facility they also bear with the great
est patience hunger, thirst, and every kind of de-
privation.
Arms. small loaf of bread, cheese, some
garlic, little brandy, an old garment and two
pair of sa andals made of raw hide, form all the e.
quipage Of the Montenegrines. On their march
they do not seek any shelter from rain or cold
In rainy weather, the Montenegrne wraps hi!
head with the strookah-a shawl of coarse clotf
lies down on the ground where he stood, ant
putting his rifle under him, sleeps very comtOrta
bly.