Washington sentinel., 1899-06-24
F-N H
A visit to Montenegro.
ERg2iShVoWgH

ern Europe; and that rom every
point nj view, whether It be It's
political and social organization,
the customs and character OF the
people, its geographical position,
or the natural beauties OF its wild
mountainous scenery, which is to-
day what Switzerland must have
been a century ago, before the
days o cheap holiday tours, lunlc-
ular raIlw Us and Ubiquitous ad
verusements. Though so little
known 20 the tr veler. Montenegro
is easily reached, and IS tar from
being inaccessible. Cetugne, the
capital OF the principahty, IS, It Is
true, not within a stones throw of
PARIS or Brussels but in these days
OF rapid travelling the journey
there Is a mere nothing.
WHIST to US was the most interest
ing sight IN CettIgne is he famous
old mu berry tree under which the
Prince holds hIs court OF justice
and renders sentence. Ii IS geneT-
lily in cases of assault or murder
tn the Prince IS called upon to
d de, theft being almost entirely
unknown IN Montenegro. For
murder, according 70 the gravity
ofthe case, the guilty one IS SEN
tenced 70 Imprisonment or to be
shot. IL IS a curious and
unique sight 10 see men and women
alike walking about the streets Of
Cetugne IN their picturesque na-
tional costume. This nationa
dress Of the Montenegrins is ex-
tremely handsom e, and resembles
the Servian costume, though as
rule much more elaborate.
TIE M6ntenegrIns, we soon found
{ be a very sociable and hospita-
be people, not at all suspicious of
foreigners. Being honest them
selves, they do not fear d shonesty
in Others The inhabitants of Get
tigne never think OF locking their
front door at night. Though
we found the Montenegrins an in
Jelhgent people, we also noted that
they are very much given to super
stition. They firmly believe in
apparItions, and many oi them
think that they have a mysterious
power Of healing others. In their
dallv lie they are much guided ny
dr. ans and omens, good or bad
A magple, # seen near a house,
means bad luck to the owner. A
few OF the more superst tious even
perform mysterious rites as a pro
lection against the Evil One.
These quaint mOuntaIneers also
believe IN astrology-in a very
elementary form. 1t Is true, but still
It is common practice TOR them
to consult the planets and the dit
ierent phases OF the moon, and
thereupon to base the horoscope
of newborn infants lite.
The everyday life OF Prince
Nicholas is somewhat different
from the usual routine Of most
reIgning sovereigns. While the
life of the Autocrat of All the Rus.
sias is necessarily spent in a con-
tinual succession or gala recep
tions and court functions of vari
Ous descriptions, the existence Of
the none the less autocratic ruler
OF Montenegro is that OF a hardy
mountaineer, despising luxury
and Incidence. The Prince on
rising generally at 7 A. NJ after
a frugal breakfast of coffee and
rolls, goes at once to the Senate
Chamber, where the Supreme
Court is in session. If any GRIM
inal case is brought up, the Prince
closely follows the examination oil
the accused, questions the witness
ses. and occasionally speaks for
the prisoner. This duty over, the
Prince, accompanied by his body
guard. takes a walk through the
streets OF his capital, always MAX
ing himself easy OF access to the
numerous supplcants who take
this opportunity Of presenting their
petitions and grievances to their
sovereign. These petitioners are
OF en- peasants from remote vii
lagos, who, not daring to appeal
to the senate, put their cause di
rectly before the Prince either
begging him to intervene in their
behalf. or to make use OF his power
the Prince takes at noon en- famiHe,
follows Szeska lasting until three
or four o'clock. Then, weather
permitting, the Prince takes a
horseback ride, either alone or in
company with some senators or
chiefs. At night the evening meal
is hardly over before the Prince,
like a true Montenegrin, leaves his
family IN the drawing room and re-
pairs to the audience chamber,
where he is soon joined by the
senator's and other leading citi-
zens oi Cettinge. 1t is then that
begin the pleasantest hours OF the
day for Prince Nicholas. Seated
in a corner Of rhe huge fireplace
large enough to roast an OK, and
making himself the centre OF a
semicircle of his warrior chiefs, he
asks Information and seeks ad-
vic from one, discusses the little
events of the day with another,
and listens to the news from dis
tant d strict OF the principalltv
given by still another. In this
manner the Prioce learns more in
an hours conversation than from
volumes Of official reports, and
keeps in direct touch with his poe
pie.
AUSTRALIAN WEDDINGS. - In
Australia there are so isw natives
L. 4,