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vith sketches of the country from a strategic point of view , and intermittent essays on the comparative value of particular positions and lines of operation . Now , although there is a fair and indeed somewhat picturesque account of the brief and inglorious campaign of 1854 , yet the greater part of the book is anything but military , and affords page after page of light , entertaining reading rather of a novel kind , such as a description of a ride through the snow from Trcbizond to Erzeroum , life in the latter town , and subsequently at Kars ; and the brief and stirring incidents that preceded the unfortunate action at Kurukdere . Very instructive as well as amusing are the accounts of the Turkish pachas , and not less so the accounts of the Turkish peasantry in
those e-levated regions far removed from the vice and demoralisation of Swmboul . So that the general reader who stumbles over the news from Kars or JErzeroum , and who lias confused ideas respecting these places , the surrounding country and its inhabitants , will obtain from these volumes some sound information , which will at once make the Times more intelligible , and the time pass lightly by ; for Mr . Duncan writes a lively , and indeed an elegant style , and conveys to you his impressions with thift clearness which results from clear perceptions . A great part of the contents of these volumes appeared in the Morning Chronicle , and we remember with peculiar pleasure the satisfaction with which , we read tiic letters as they appeareddecidedly , on the whole , the best-written and most truthful letters of all the correspondents .
Before proceeding further with regard to the subject of these volumes , let us present the reader with some specimens picked out here and there , as we ran our eyes over the pages : —
A TURKISH VILXAGB . On entering a village the news would rapidly spread that a traveller had arrived , and presently the entire male population appeared , whilst the females peeped with laudable curiosity from behind doors , carts , heaps of fire manure , and other romantic situations . The elder of the village then approached , and we exchanged salutations . A conversation then ensued between the old gentlemen and ray dragoman , and directly it was ascertained that I was an Englishman the most hospitable welcome would be offered me . The best house was prepared , a roaring fire lighted , and the wooden banks covered with comfortable bedding . Then dinner would appear , to the preparation of which the united gastronomic talent of the place had contributed . This would probably consist of a soup which had a sour-sweet taste , not at all unpalatable , followed by fried eggs , butter , and honey ; the banquet would be washed down with
warm milk . After dinner the host and the whole village entered the room and sat themselves down on the ground . I found it impossible to avoid this post-prandial infliction , so in the end I conformed to the habits of the people . Pipes would be produced , and question after question put to the dragoman respecting Stamboul , the Sultan , and other extraordinary topics , to which he replied with more or less adhesion to the strict truth . I then produced cffiSee and sugar , the sight of which inspired enthusiasm in the assembly . Sugar is a great rarity in the village houses , and much esteemed . The greatest treat of all , however , was a cup of tea , which was a rarer article even than sugar , and of which they were particularly fond . Towards nine o'clock the assembly would drop off one by one , but never without examining my pistols , sabre , and even my clothes . . . . The host would converse with me until his pipe was exhausted , and then , with a dignified salutation , he put on his slippers and departed . Then I commenced n » y night'B toilette , which consisted in simply taking off my boots . The fatigue of the day generally procured me ^ p leasant slumbers , the duration of which depended greatly on the inhabitants of the stables and of the matting . At times a revolution -would burst out amongst the horses , and spread over the whole of the assembled quadrupeds . Once I was awakened by hard breathing on my face , and on looking np beheld a hideous buffalo calmly gazing at me . At other tunes goats would chase each other about the room , which , by no means facilitated hearty sleep . In the morning , at daybreak , I rose , performed my ablutions , and quickly breakfasted . Then a kind farewell to all the village , a distribution of piastres , and to horse . I may observe that never was I subjected to rudeness in any Turkish village , nor did I ever miss the most trivial article . On the whole , I was greatly struck with the combined simplicity and amiability of the Turkish rural population . Crime is almost unknown there as well as poverty . j . . THE GHKAT KVIII know no country in the world that for fertility of soil and mineral richness can compete with the provinces of which I write , and yet the earth is uncultivated ; and a Country that gpuld export its million quarters of wheat , is partly dependent on Russian supplies . The mines of coal , copper , and silver -which abound , are either rniworked , or the produce merely swells the profits of the Greek and foreign bankers , who prey upon the government as the Armenian usurers prey upon the Pachas . I Will mention one case which was told me by Haareddin Pacha , who saw with sorrow the prevailing mismanagement . A silver mine was worked by government near Trebizond , and the ore was particularly plentiful , and of a superior quality . Besides affording work and bread to the inhabitants of the country , this mine annually returned a nett profit to government of fifteen times its outlay . By accident or mismanagement the mine overflowed with water , and the works were stopped . For a long period no notice was taken of the mine , until a company proposed to empty it , and place it in a working condition , for the performance of which the said companywas to receive a stipulated sum front government . This proposition was declined . The same company then proposed to lease the mine from government , and offered to pay a rent equal to the highest profit netted in its mose prosperous year . This was also refused , and the mine still remains under water and unworked . To those who arc ignorant of tlic venality and cupidity of the highest officials , this refusal will appear inconceivable . The enlightened and sometimes too benevolent measures adopted at Constantinople arc rarely carried o \» t to their full extent in the provinces , Vher « tho subaltern official * , especially those of the more remote districts , act with a $ agr « ft of irresponsibility detrimental * to the general interests . This evil could , howem , . be easily cheoked by a display of energy on the part of the authorities at Constantinople . Tho war in which Turkoy i » at tUia moment ongageU will have a grand hiflu « noe at ita tornuuution on her future condition . H « r statesmen havo had a good , ODnortunity of studying her weak an well ua her strong points . If Turkey has proved Jtyjr ^ eU * to bq anything but the inanimate corpse » ho was supposed , and has displayed 4 vigour and an energy an admirable an it was . unexpected , at tho emno time she has experienced many severe lessons . Her men in power , aghast at the empty treasury , irih" have derived a little wholesome experience which may prevent thorn in future from , ruining tho country by iiisanu expenditure , and may inspire them with tho ideal of profiting by tho vaat resources of tho empire . But a great blow will have bcom struck at tho root of tho evil which tliTottles Turkoy— -namely , her nysUm ofl Pachas . ¦ ,. ¦ ' { <' . )('« . , . ' . . ( IKNllltAI . KMKTI . , li UUneMwaa the most- popular man in tUo army- Turka and Europeans alike admired ) fu ^ pyed , him , Hia haudaom © » oldicr-liko fucc commanded re » pcct , and tho brilliancy vljie v . wii ¦ . .- ¦ . ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ " ¦
of his courage , apart from his former splendid antecedents , rendered him tihte object of universal good-will . la thus accepting the command of the irregulars , General Kmeti performed an act of self-abnegation rarely displayed by military commanders . In preference to drawing the Sultan's pay and passing his days in idleness , or , -what was still more reprehensible , in intrigue , Kmeti undertook to reduce the bashi-bazooks to utility—with what success we shall hereafter witness . Kmeti was indefatigable in the performance of the duties he had solicited . Although an infantry officer , and unaccustomed to hard riding , he now passed his days on horseback , scouring the frontiers at the head of his wild followers , and effectually guarding Kara from a cottp-de-main on the part of the enemy . His nights he passed in » ome ruined village that had fallen victim to the horrors of war , often without a meal , and constantly exposed to capture or death at the hands of the Cossacks . General Kmeti had resided long in England , and spoke our language perfectly . His talents as a musician were alone surpassed by his qualities as a soldier ; and the only complaint I ever heard him express , amidst unusual hardships and disappointment , was the fact that no piano existed in this distant part of the globe . «
OTTOMAN TROOPS . In their present condition they are worthless , and totally unqualified to engage in the open field . By the introduction of a strict discipline , by an equitable system of promotion , and under the command of brave and honourable officers , the Turkish army could be raised to a point of excellency , second to no European , force . The sobriety of the men , their simple wants , unfailing patience , and power of resisting fatigue , offer the most splendid materials for creating an irresistible infantry . The men are both intelligent and courageous . A commander , in whom they possessed confidence , they would follow without hesitation or regret . And this confidence is facile to obtain . A few kind words , a display of interest in his welfare , and honesty of purpose , suffice to gain the poor Turk ' s heart for ever . The Turkish artillery is excellent , even in its present state , but is susceptible of great improvement . In the management of this arm the Turkish soldiers show great aptitude , and the pride of the men in their batteries , and the affection they display for their respective guns , is
admirable . At the subsequent battle of Kurekdere , when infantry and cavalry were in headlong flight , and the Russian dragoons were hewing down the forsaken gunners at their pieces , the latter stood steadily by their cannon , and defended them to the last breath . The Turkish regular cavalry is utterly ridiculous , and is not in my conviction susceptible of amelioration . The idea of cavalry drawn up inline , and trained to charge and manoeuvre in a body , can never be realised by the Turk , whose military antecedents condemn that system . . . . Every military man who has had opportunities of distinguishing both the good and evil . qualities of the Ottoman service , will agree with my opinion that , however inefficient the present Ottoman army may be , no finer material for a good soldier can be offered , than the Turkish private . Alike hardy , frugal , and active , the Turk requires but a good officer and kind treatment to be metamorphosed into a splendid soldier . He supports with admirable patience the greatest hardships and sufferings ; his abstemiousness and contented disposition render his support in the field an easy task ; whilst his sturdy frame defies alike the rigour of climate and the fatigues of a campaign . No soldier can surpass the Turk in that passive obedience to his chief -which is the foundation of true discipline : _ will follow with blind devotion the leader who has conquered his confidence by kind
treatment or a brilliant example . The causes that have largely contributed to weigh down the existing virtuous elements in the Ottoman army , are the corruption and incapacity that prevail amongst its higher ranks ; and the disgraceful ignorance which distinguishes its subaltern oflicers . The Turkish private soldier if well directed , is capable of great deeds ; but the corps of officers and non-commissioned Officers , from the corporal to the Muchir , are alike inefficient and unsusceptible of improvement . Promotion by merit alone is unheard of in the Ottoman service . The subaltern ranks are filled by the personal slaves or domestics of the pachas ; aid such commissions are often the wages of disgrace . Promotion to the superior ranks is obtainable only by bribery or intrigue i hest bidder who subsequentl
the grade of colonel or pacha is purchased by the hig ; y recovers the sum he has disbursed by defrauding his regiment , or robbing the Government . The simplest military rules axe ignored by the officeft , -who are often withdrawn from a civil appointment to occupy a high , military position . This was tho case with the Commander-in-Chief of the army of Anatolia , Zarif Mustafa Pacha ; whose only apparent qualifications for that responsible post existed in the grateful recollections of the Turkish minister of war , in whose service he had passed his tender years : this commander , to whose discretionary powers were confided the existence of an army and the safety of the Asiatic possessions of the Porte , was a civilian , and totally ignorant of manoeuvres , or even of the common rules of war .
PLKASAKT PBKDICAMKST . There were , unfortunately , no books in the camp ; and no means , beyond a chance game of chess , of improving one ' s mind . I discovered one book , a French work on " L'Infanterie , " that I actually read and reperused until I loathed the very Sight of the detestable green-bound volume . If I bear ill-will towards any human being , it certainly is towards the anonymous author of that work ; and I sincerely trust he has perished by tho bayonets on which he discoursed so tediously . Talk of the heartrending sufferings of the last man—is not his loneliness surpassed , and are not the horrors of his position exceeded , by those endured by a man limited to one book , and that a work on infantry ? THE BIK 1 UOAL STAFF . The hekim-bachis , or medical advisers of the army of Anatolia , were not illustrious either for natural abilities or scientific attainments ; neither did they possess theoretical knowledge or practical talents . They had not even the benefit of experience ; into the medical when
for in tho East a Levantine or European rushes profession ever > 'thing else has failed him , and with the same pertinacity that unfortunato people in England delight to commit themselves to the joys and sorrows , the fortune and vicissitudes , of tho coal trade . The hckims at Kara consisted chiefly of Greeks , Italians , and native Turks . There was also a Polish hekim , -who was very successful in clearing tho hospital that had been entrusted to him : I will not reveal where ftis patients went to . Another wonderful hekim was a stout , jolly Hungarian , who spoke Turkish like a native , possessed two beautiful blood Arabs , and was constantly quarrelling with pachas and themuchira ; yet , in the face of these admirable qualifications , I certainly should have hesitated in entrusting my cat , had I possessed such a quadruped , to tho medical care of the above good-natured and admirable companion . Then there were some Italian surgeons , who w ( h-o the dread of the poor invalids ; anu Turkish practitioners who sustained the resignation of the dying 8 oldlor % "'" '' J ^ sympathy , and with an Alia Kcrim !—God is merciful—closed the ejes ol uieir
departed patients . . , At this moment there is no doubt that the best , nay , w ^ X ^ ° vXmes ; history of the Armenian campaign of 1834 ia to be found n ^ J ° ^ and a most interesting story it is . The fact is J" * " ^ * £ ^ Tmben Turkish army entered the field better appointed and n gr ^ "" moan than thcTuilish army acting . io that region' ' ^ gS ^ , Jo t ^ fowS 1828 the Turks were surprised , and could not mtiatoi ""> »'" £ probable which assembled at Kars and Ardalmu lust ycur . It seems but coo pr ^ u c . ¦ , ¦ : i : iii
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 4, 1855, page 749, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2101/page/17/
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