26 



CAUSES OF THE WEAKNESS AND DECLINE 



empire, it is not only necessary that the Sultans themselves should be 

 favorably disposed to it, but the Oulemah, the body of lawyers and 

 ecclesiastics, should also lend their assistance. In the mean time, 

 whatever may be the real obstacles, it is probable that the general 

 ignorance, and want of curiosity in the people contribute, in some 

 degree, to the support of the religious, as well as civil constitution of 

 the country. " For let us suppose that learning* prevailed there, as 

 " in these western nations, and that the Koran was as common to 

 " them as the Bible to us, that they might have free recourse to 

 " search and examine the flaws and follies of it ; and withal, that 

 " they were of as inquisitive a temper as we, who knows, but as there 

 " are vicissitudes in the government, so there may happen also the 

 " same in the temper of a nation. If this should come to pass, 

 " where would be their religion ? Let every one judge whether the 

 " Arcana Imperii et Religionis would not fall together." South's 

 Sermons, i. 144. 



The different symptoms of the decline of the empire could not have 

 escaped the attention of the Sultans who have filled the Ottoman 

 throne during the last century. Yet none of them, if we except Mus- 

 tapha the Third, and the late Emperor Selim, made any endeavours 

 to strengthen the foundation of their power, or were excited by the 

 dangers of their situation to correct the vices and abuses of the 

 government. Something would have been done towards repairing 

 the breaches occasioned by the neglect and indolence of his predeces- 

 sors, if Selim had lived to see his plans digested into order ; but the 

 exertions of this monarch were vain and unavailing. In the revolu- 



* If little regard is paid to the literature of their own country by the orientals, it is not 

 probable that the works of European writers will much excite their attention. Nor will 

 this be a matter of regret, if such works only are circulated among them, as those which 

 have been translated from the French into Arabic, by Basil and Elias Fakher, two persons 

 employed in the French consulates in Egypt. " II est facheux que leur choix nesoit pas 

 " toujours tombe sur des ouvrages dignes d'etre propages par la voie de traductions. Le 

 " Contrat Social de Rousseau, ct quelques pamphlets de Voltaire contre la religion, sont-ils 

 " done les premiers besoins des orientaux?" Mag. Encyclop. Janv. 1811. 



