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376
THE TURKS.
[chap. xvi.
the display of a broad embroidered waist-belt, containing his
numerous weapons. The latter usually consist of a brace of
very long silver-mounted pistols, an ornamented yatagan, a
dagger, and a knife, all of which are most inconveniently
placed in front of his person.
The masters of the country have so much in common with
the people above noticed, that they may readily be recognized
as an offset from the same stock,—the Turk being the warrior,
as the Turkoman may be denominated the shepherd branch.
Corruption The former has been pronounced to be ignorant, ferocious,
ment govern vain, bigoted, and incapable of civilization; as an inferior,
cringing and servile, but overbearing, presumptuous, and
tyrannical when in power. From the Sultan himself to the
lowest Delibashi the rulers are unrestrained by definite laws,
and use the power which they possess to obtain, by the most
oppressive exactions, the means of filling their coffers : in
general the persons in authority purchase their posts; and
being without fixed salaries, while they are liable at any
moment to be displaced, they seek only to enrich themselves ;
and thus venality and corruption prevail in every department
of the government. 1
It is perhaps in a great measure because their prominent
failings are not concealed, that so many of the darkest shades
of the human character have thus been given to the descend
ants of those conquerors whose names belong to the early
history of the country. But whilst it is admitted that the
people have greatly changed since the formation of the empire,
it will probably be found that the 'Osmanli deserves a less
unfavourable character than that which has been given to him
by some individuals whose opinions are yet entitled to great
consideration.
theiS 10f Fru g al in his diet, and almost entirely free from the stimu
lating effects of wine, or the agitations of European society,
the Turk has a well-formed and robust frame, which is pre
served in a healthy state by his equable temper, his regular life,
and the practice of manly exercises. A quiet eye, and a grave
1 Volney's Travels, p. 370 to 392. London, 1787.