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Article REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ← Page 4 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
Cantennr , we think Mr . H . rather credulous in believing that a . pointless jirid ( a small iavelin ) coukl . by the force of a human arm , go throueb a sate made of p . anks three inches lout ; . In a letter from the Lazaretto of Tour Rouge , on the Turkish frontier of the Emperor ' s dominion " , where he was detained to perform quarantine , our Author enters at large into the characters and manners of the inhabitants of the Ottoman empire . ' '
' This vast empire is inhabited b y four distinct races of people , viz ; the Turks , the Greeks , the Jews , and the Armenians . ' The jews are much more numerous than the Armenians ; but , as they betray . exactly the same characteristics which distinguish them in other parts of the globe , and as there is nothing particularly remarkable or interesting in the habits of the last , I shali confine my observations to the Turks and Greeks .
' With the ori gin of the Turks you are already well acquainted ; and it would be superfluous , whilst I am addressing myself to you , to enumerate the various causes which combined to render them not only a respectable but a formidable nation . —But that vigour and persevering activity which , at the beginning of their history , shone forth so conspicuously , and which , at one time , were tearing up every obstruction which checked the progress of their arms , have long since totally disappeared . At present , they are an enervated , ar superstitious , an ignorant , and a sluggish people ; the declared enemy of the
arts and sciences ; and the firm opposer of every useful institution . —Too stupid to comprehend , or too proud to learn , or too infatuated to be convinced , although they are surrounded on almost every side by civilized and enlig htened nations , their attachment to opinions which are founded in folly , and upheld by prejudice , does not diminish . * When we consider what a long period of time has elapsed , since the light of reason first began to dispel the thick cloud of ignorance which darkened
the face of Europe , ancl , by degrees , to rouse , to inform , to refine , and to illumine the understanding of man , we are astonished that thispeopls should have remained stationary , and , in spite of the- influence of example , should still be guided by an unshaken adherence to their former notions and errors . ' Whilst we are making the remark , we feel inclined to investigate the cause whence such a blind , deep-rocted veneration originates . —Is it occasioned by the natural disposition of the people?—Surely not . —Does it then
arise from the vices of a government , which is peculiarly framed to deaden ' the faculties of the mind , aud to eradicate the feelings of the heart ?—Much may , no doubt , be attributed to its influence ; yet that wonderful degree of mental apathy and bodily indolence , which they have gradually allowed to overwhelm them , appears to me to be principally derived from a still more potent source . —It is the ridiculous doctrines of their religion ( engrafted in a moment of of enthusiasm , and cultivated and strengthened by the imposingarts cf succeeding ages ) which , though first used as an instrument to exc-te , has been since employed as an engine to crush the restless propensity of
man . ' The firm belief of predestination , which is a principal article of faith , and one of the indispensable duties of a Mussulman , is , perhaps , the most powerful political machine , which stupidity ever submitted to , or craft ever devised . Whether obedience is to be insured , or sedition promoted , it is equally calculated to impose on the credulity of the multitude ; and to the prevalence of this absurd tenet , many of the revolutions , which have hap . pened at Constantinople , may be traced . ' _ . fTO BE CONTINUED . ]
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
Cantennr , we think Mr . H . rather credulous in believing that a . pointless jirid ( a small iavelin ) coukl . by the force of a human arm , go throueb a sate made of p . anks three inches lout ; . In a letter from the Lazaretto of Tour Rouge , on the Turkish frontier of the Emperor ' s dominion " , where he was detained to perform quarantine , our Author enters at large into the characters and manners of the inhabitants of the Ottoman empire . ' '
' This vast empire is inhabited b y four distinct races of people , viz ; the Turks , the Greeks , the Jews , and the Armenians . ' The jews are much more numerous than the Armenians ; but , as they betray . exactly the same characteristics which distinguish them in other parts of the globe , and as there is nothing particularly remarkable or interesting in the habits of the last , I shali confine my observations to the Turks and Greeks .
' With the ori gin of the Turks you are already well acquainted ; and it would be superfluous , whilst I am addressing myself to you , to enumerate the various causes which combined to render them not only a respectable but a formidable nation . —But that vigour and persevering activity which , at the beginning of their history , shone forth so conspicuously , and which , at one time , were tearing up every obstruction which checked the progress of their arms , have long since totally disappeared . At present , they are an enervated , ar superstitious , an ignorant , and a sluggish people ; the declared enemy of the
arts and sciences ; and the firm opposer of every useful institution . —Too stupid to comprehend , or too proud to learn , or too infatuated to be convinced , although they are surrounded on almost every side by civilized and enlig htened nations , their attachment to opinions which are founded in folly , and upheld by prejudice , does not diminish . * When we consider what a long period of time has elapsed , since the light of reason first began to dispel the thick cloud of ignorance which darkened
the face of Europe , ancl , by degrees , to rouse , to inform , to refine , and to illumine the understanding of man , we are astonished that thispeopls should have remained stationary , and , in spite of the- influence of example , should still be guided by an unshaken adherence to their former notions and errors . ' Whilst we are making the remark , we feel inclined to investigate the cause whence such a blind , deep-rocted veneration originates . —Is it occasioned by the natural disposition of the people?—Surely not . —Does it then
arise from the vices of a government , which is peculiarly framed to deaden ' the faculties of the mind , aud to eradicate the feelings of the heart ?—Much may , no doubt , be attributed to its influence ; yet that wonderful degree of mental apathy and bodily indolence , which they have gradually allowed to overwhelm them , appears to me to be principally derived from a still more potent source . —It is the ridiculous doctrines of their religion ( engrafted in a moment of of enthusiasm , and cultivated and strengthened by the imposingarts cf succeeding ages ) which , though first used as an instrument to exc-te , has been since employed as an engine to crush the restless propensity of
man . ' The firm belief of predestination , which is a principal article of faith , and one of the indispensable duties of a Mussulman , is , perhaps , the most powerful political machine , which stupidity ever submitted to , or craft ever devised . Whether obedience is to be insured , or sedition promoted , it is equally calculated to impose on the credulity of the multitude ; and to the prevalence of this absurd tenet , many of the revolutions , which have hap . pened at Constantinople , may be traced . ' _ . fTO BE CONTINUED . ]