8 IN THE LAND OF THE BORA. 



part of the Austrian Empire for the hest part of 

 a century, it is only in the last fourteen years 

 that it has become of any political importance. 

 When, after the events of 1880, the Turkish 

 provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina were handed 

 over to the safeguard of the Austrian Empire, it 

 at once became obvious that the most convenient 

 mode of access thereto was to be obtained through 

 Dalmatia. On the principle of one good turn 

 deserving another, it was the possession of 

 Herzegovina which enabled Austria to finally 

 subdue and to subject to her conscription the 

 turbulent peasantry of the Crivoscie district, who, 

 in 1869, had successfully opposed the Viennese 

 authorities, being principally enabled to do so 

 by the vicinity of the Turkish frontier. Most 

 of them have since emigrated to Montenegro. 

 It is through Bosnia alone that the Dalmatians 

 can reach their capital by rail, from Metcovic, 

 though the route is a somewhat circuitous one, 

 and it would be more to the point if the other 

 line were continued from Knin ; but to this subject 

 I shall return later. At any rate, the Dalmatian 

 route is far the most convenient one an English- 

 man who wishes to visit the " administered 

 provinces " can take. 



The only towns of any importance in the 

 province are Zara, its chief town, Sebenico, and 

 Spalatro. Of the others, none have an " official 



