194 IX THE LAND OF THE BORA. 



departments of agriculture, revenue, schools, 

 forestry, game-preservation, and to some extent 

 the gendarmerie. The system is, in fact, that of 

 our Indian empire, reading Prefect for Collector, 

 and Sub-Prefect for Assistant-Collector. The 

 former has a regular staff, consisting, among others, 

 of doctor, veterinary surgeon, engineer, school 

 inspector, and forester. The latter, again, has also 

 a staff of similar officials of lower rank. 



For the Englishman these provinces have a 

 sad aspect. This, he may reflect, is the result 

 of political courage. It might have been so in 

 Egypt but for the weakness that listened to in- 

 terested politicians, and gave vague pledges of 

 retrocession. Here Austria rules alone. Here are 

 no mixed tribunals, no foreign post-offices, no 

 alien newspapers. The only pressure ever put on 

 Vienna is indirect, slight, and perhaps wholesome. 

 Russia well knows the fruitlessness of attempting 

 more, and bides her time, awaiting the death- 

 grapple for the mastery of the Western Slavs, that 

 must surely come in time. The winner in that 

 strife should become the master-power in Europe. 

 One form which the attempt to develop these 

 provinces takes must be appreciated by all visitors 

 — I mean the welcome extended to strangers. I 

 do not speak solely of the courtesy and hospitality 

 shown by officials of every degree (although I am 

 glad to be able here to express my thanks for these), 



