weak and suspicious master. After the Revolution 

 in 1730", by which Ahmed III. was deposed, Mahomet 

 V., his successor, was persuaded that the power of 

 the grand vizir had grown dangerous, and that a 

 frequent change of the minister was the only way to 

 frustrate the schemes of his ambition. This maxim 

 was adopted in the succeeding reigns. Osman III. in the 

 space of two years and a half, beheaded or deposed five 

 grand vizirs, and six caimacans, or deputies. But .the 

 palliatives of a weak policy are not equivalent to the adop- 

 tion of sound measures; and the frequent change of 

 ministers, though it spared the emperors some alarms, 

 diminished the vigour of the government, quickened the 

 intrigues of the Seraglio, paralysed the operations of the 

 army, and exposed the faltering measures of the/ divan to 

 general contempt. 



As the power of an imbecile despot consists in his 

 treasures, the whole system of internal administration in 

 Turkey is directed to the accumulation of money ; and as, 

 according to the Turkish proverb, " the fish stinks first at 

 the head," the avarice which actuates the sovereign is soon 

 diffused through every branch of the administration. The 

 three maxims of government bequeathed by the great vizir 

 Kiuperly, to Mahomet IV. were " never to listen to the 

 suggestions of women to fill his treasury by any means 

 and io be always on horseback among his troops." Ot 

 these the second alone has been observed by the degenerate 

 sultans; every office is sold, with an understanding that 

 the purchaser may use any means to reimburse himself ; and 

 as confiscations, or presents to secure impunity, are fertile 

 sources of revenue, the rapacity of governors is secretly 

 encouraged. The sale of pashalics is sometimes so flagrant 

 that the commissions are disposed of, sealed, to bankers, 

 who having found purchasers, at a profit if possible, have 

 the names inserted : thus the right of ruling over millions 

 is the traffick of brokers, who discount, as it were, the 

 vizir's drafts on extortion. What is in Turkey called 

 energy, and with us unmitigated cruelty, is thought to be 

 the greatest merit of a pasha, who, if he did not resort 

 to violence and rapacity, could rarely fulfil his engage- 



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