result from the strong and closely jointed combination of 

 the Ulemas are exclusively their own; they cannot resist 

 the arbitrary violence of the Sultan, but they can impede 

 the alterations of the law; their power is founded on the 

 false principles which arrest the progress of civilization, 

 and they are the natural supporters of the present state of 

 things. There is nothing in the Ottoman empire which 

 has a solid construction except this bulwark against inno- 

 vation. Law and religion are hard to be reformed even 

 when taken separately, but when united they offer an inert, 

 or even an active resistance, sufficient to baffle the strongest 

 efforts of the best-in tentioned despot. 



To this separation of the spiritual from the temporal 

 authority of the sultans, in the early periods of the Ottoman 

 history, must be ascribed the increased bigotry and present 

 barbarism of the Turks. The Koran, indeed, breathes a 

 fanatic and unsocial spirit, averse from all progress in 

 civilization and the arts, yet so constant is the action of 

 our social tendencies, that the clearest precepts of the 

 Prophet, if not re-enforced by the spiritual power, must at 

 length give way to them, and fall into neglect. The 

 Caliphs, who always retained this power, were enabled to 

 dispense with those dogmas which seemed averse to the 

 interests of society ; and the Arabians under them attained 

 to a high degree of literary eminence, and even to prin- 

 ciples of religious toleration. A prince invested with the 

 spiritual authority is checked in his innovations by nothing 

 but his own scruples ; and if he possess enlarged views, 

 if he be animated with a love of learning, or a sincere desire 

 to promote the welfare of his people, he is sure to find in 

 his favour the current of popular sentiment. Among the 

 Turks this power has devolved upon a body of men who 

 have made it available for the protection of their lives and 

 properties, and who are naturally disposed to maintain in 

 its integrity the system to which they owe their safety. 

 Education also is in their hands, and they exert a more 

 immediate influence on the people by the sheiks or 

 preachers, who sometimes venture to inveigh very boldly 

 against the measures of the government. 



The Janizaries, like the Ulemas, possessed valuable 



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