Year: 1869

Turk The Greeks acuuire their wealth in Turkey.
They have far greater material interests involved in
Turkish affairs than in all the rest of the world. The
overthrow of the Turkish Government would be
their ruin but their national spirit is stronger than
all other feelings and principles, and while the ma
tions or governments exist nothing will end the r-
repressible conflict" Could Greece develop stable
Government, promote industry at home, put an end
to brigandage, and show to the world progressive
state of society in general Turkey would have much
to fear from her.. So long the contrast is in favor
of the Ottoman Government in many aspects, moth


ing but foreign interference win make Greece form
idable


The question of education in Turkey has attracted
much attention for many months with as yet no re-
suits The Council of State elaborated law. but it
was too sweeping. 1t went beyond the possibility of
execution One most decided step of progress is that
Turkish female education has begun to be discussed


in the Turkish newspapers by Turks themselves.
This tOhud subject has never been introduced before
into MOslem newspaper. 1t began i'll this wise.
Turkish Bey writes from London to q Turkish news
paper in this capital rather severe structures
upon Turkish ladies of the better class, comparing
them unfavorably with English ladies OF
the corresponding class Turkish lady
replies to him in the next number
admitting the truth, but laying the responsibility
and the disgrace entirely upon the Turkish gentle
men. You are our masters, she retOTts you send
your daughters to school with the boys until they
are seven or eight years old They learn little but
rudeness. If few learn to read and write, which,
strange to say they do it is often forgotten IN the
secluded harem-life which follows. Comparatively
few have private teachers to carry forward their ed
ucation. Others who do are subjects OF envy, and
often of ridicule Now instead of accusing us of
~ a oil IL
cation Give us female schools under competent fe-
male teachers Give us books Allow us access to
the Turkish libraries connected with almost every
mosque of the city and if we make no good use Of
what now seems so precious to us, then accuse us
and we will take the blame to ourselves The lady
has decidedly the best of the argument. Some at
tempts at female schools have been made by the
Turks within the past fifteen years, but the time
had not come. Ii is, however. surely coming and
this discussion win help it forward.


But while the Government Is doing little, there is
one Turkish gentleman Of most remarkable chaTao-
ter who is an Indefatigable labOrer in the Of
common education. We're there dozen such men,
they would transform the Empire. refer to Ahmed
Behk Efendi, formerly EmbassadOrl lin Paris after
ward Minister of Evcofi Tor landed estates), and who
has borne with distinguished ability other high
offices of State He is now on the retired list from
entire disagreement with the policy Of the present
Grand Vizier. He has a splendid library Of about
GOOO volumes well chosen from Eastern and West
ern literature and science Although entirely desti
tute of any other fortune than his library,
house, and the most picturesque garden
OH the Bosphorus, be deyotes his time to
Turkish literature, publishing some popular
or sacred work which sells at large profit aud then
with that profit he publishes sehoolbook and sends
it forth at half cost In this way he has sent into
the interior cities and villages many thousands
of arithmetics Biographies histories, and compends
of natural philosophy entirely prepared by himself
If he is in part driven to this occupation by the
restless energy of his character and a certain i'm
perious force of will to which inactivity would be
impossible, still I am persuaded. from long acquaint-
ance with him. that he is melted also by earnest
spirit of patriotism Turkey must have moro Of such
men, OF reform and progress are impossible