109 



perty, he is the lawful heir of all his officers; and as to 

 other subjects, he may first put them to death under various 

 pretexts, and then seize their properties. Hence in Turkey 

 neither life nor property are secure. 



Polygamy, as far as 4 wives, is allowed, but the number 

 of concubines is unlimited. 



A cruel and oppressive distinction is established betwixt 

 the Mahometan and Christian inhabitants; these, though 

 said to form two-thirds of the whole number, yet through 

 the excess of IMahomelan bigotry and intolerance, they are 

 reduced nearly to a state of slavery. 



There are courts of justice indeed in Turkey, but justice i* 

 notoriously venal. 



Of the Persian Government. 



This government is still more despotic than the Turkish : 

 at least its despotism receives fewer obstructions, and scarcely 

 maintains the appearance of justice,* Its ancient regal fa- 

 milies are extinct, and hence Persia is continually ravaged by 

 contending claimants. 



Polygamy obtains here as in Turkey. 



IntoIcranGC' 



* 2 Decouverle's Russes, 272. 



