THE ADEIATIC PEOVINCES. 55 



and Austrians to cultivate the land or to defend military positions. Some of these 

 tribes were admitted as guests, and settled in cultivated districts, a proceeding 

 against which the Italian Istrians complained as early as 804. 



At the present time the uplands are Slav ; the lower basin of the Isonzo, 

 Gorizia, Trieste, Parenzo, Pola, and all the towns of maritime Istria are Italian, and 

 the lùi lia nissimi of Trieste are consequently justified in aspiring to a union with Italy. 

 Fiume, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Quarnero, is likewise Italian, whilst 

 in Zara, Sjjalato, and other towns of Dalmatia the Italians are in a majority. 

 German is no longer compulsory in the superior schools, and the language used in 

 preference by the educated classes throughout is Italian. Even the Farlani of the 

 valley of the Isonzo, who speak a dialect akin to that of the Ladins, use it. 



The Slavs are divided into numerous tribes, speaking a variety of dialects. 

 Formerly, before a spirit of nationality had arisen amongst them, they yielded 

 to the influence exercised by the Italian towns. Civilisation and Italianisation 

 were then synonymous terms. This is the case no longer. The Slavs, in spite 

 of local distinctions, have learnt to feel that they are kinsmen. Religious 

 differences, however, still separate them, for the Slavs of the coast are Roman 

 Catholics, and detest their brethren holding the orthodox Greek faith. 



Amongst the Slavs there are still some whose barbarous manners recall 

 the Uskoks, or Servian fugitives whom the Ottomans drove from Bosnia, and 

 who, before they became tillers of the soil, lived upon brigandage. The 

 vendetta still survives in a district near Zara, known as Berlika, and a local 

 proverb says that he " who does not avenge an injury remains unclean." The 

 savage mountains and the vicinity of the frontier enable assassins to evade 

 justice.* This, too, renders it difficult to suppress revolts. In 1869 the 

 Xrivoscians, on the Herzegovinian frontier, successfully opposed the troops that 

 were sent against them, and in the end the Austrian Government found itself 

 compelled to grant all they demanded, viz. the exemption from military service 

 and a remission of taxes. 



The Morlaks, who are supposed to be a mixture of Albanians, Slavs, and 

 perhaps Avares, are amongst the least-civilised peoples of Europe. Some of them 

 are fair, with blue ej'es ; others olive-complexioned, with chestnut-coloured hair. 

 "Wretched as they and their habitations are, they delight in fine garments, and 

 the head-dresses of the women are ornamented with gold and silver coins. 

 Superstitions are rife amongst them, and old national songs, or pesincs, survive in 

 their villages. 



The Morlaks are a fine race of men, distinguished by tall stature and strength. 

 The father of the great Frederick set much store by them, but the restrictions of 

 military life little suited their independent disposition. The islanders of Lussin 

 Piccolo likewise are noted for their strength and physical beauty. The climate 

 of Dalmatia is certainly favourable to physical development, and though most 

 sanitary laws are defied there, the inhabitants attain a greater age than in any 



* Between 18Ô1 and 185Û 7GC murders and attempts at murder are recorded amongst the 8,400 

 inhabitants of Berlika. 



