common basis, so the Ulemas, or body of priests and 

 lawyers, form but a single order in the State: but the 

 prayers and ablutions prescribed by the Koran are so 

 numerous and frequent, that the minister of religion could 

 never find leisure to execute the office of a judge ; the imams 

 or priests, therefore, constitute a separate class of the Ule- 

 mas, and leave to the cadis the administration of justice. 

 Every Osmanli is entitled to become a member of this body, 

 but he must first receive a suitable education : after a few 

 years' study, and an examination in the Arabic language, 

 the Koran and the Psalmody, the candidate may be 

 admitted to the service of a mosque; but, having once 

 entered upon the sacerdotal office, his career is closed, and 

 no further promotion awaits him in the body of the Ulemas. 

 Those who aspire to the honours of the judicature continue 

 their studies for a longer time, and after several examina- 

 tions obtain the rank of Mulazim, which entitles them to 

 hold the office of cadi, or judge: if their ambition urges 

 them still further, and they wish to obtain the degree of 

 Muderis, or Doctor, their noviciate must be continued seven 

 years longer, when they undergo a final examination in 

 presence of the muphty ; and the title of Muderis being once 

 conferred, the first dignities of the magistracy lie open to 

 their hopes. The classification, however, does not end 

 here; the Muderis of Constantinople are divided into ten 

 classes or degrees, from the first of which alone are chosen 

 the supreme magistrates of the State. The routine of 

 advancement which is here pointed out is rigorously 

 adhered to with respect to the great body of the profession, 

 although frequently violated in favour of the principal 

 Ulemas, whose children often obtain at a very early age 

 the degree of Muderis, in order that they may reach the 

 principal honours while still in the vigour of life. This 

 exact and judicious organization gives to the body of the 

 Ulemas a firm coherence, which makes it the most solid 

 part of the Ottoman constitution. Long probations, and 

 a multitude of successive gradations are well calculated to 

 insure safe and uniform counsels to a body engaged in the 

 pursuit of objects which they dare not avow. The heads of 

 the order cannot fail to be devoted to its interests, and its 



