422 
davia by the Russians,* the separation of the regencies 
of Barbary; in short, the scandalous insubordination of 
the Pachas and other Turkish officers, have reduced 
the public treasury to the greatest distress. Those in 
high office at court cannot on this account obtain sala- 
ries and appointments suited to their dignities: and 
recourse must be had to cabal and intrigue to raise 
money. 
The sale of places is authorized in Turkey, but in 
proportion as the empire is lessened, the number of 
situations is reduced, and so also is the produce of the 
sale of them. It is true, on the other hand, that if the 
number of situations is diminished, the number of ap- 
plicants increases in proportion, and competition en- 
hances their value, so that it amounts to pretty much 
the same thing to the courtiers, but not to the miser- 
able people, because those who have paid double and 
triple for the acquisition of their places, feel themselves 
doubly and triply authorized to oppress the unfortunate 
beings who fall under their hands. The latter grieve 
and complain, but they are not listened to, because the 
subaltern exactions turn to the profit of the court in the 
succeeding year. The people become indignant, give 
themselves up to despair, and have recourse to arms. 
They are then branded with the odious names of bri- 
gands and rebels. If the state be in sufficient force to 
reduce them to submission, which is not always the 
case, bloodshed ensues; but afterwards things revert to 
their former state, and the empire loses subjects and 
cities; the exigencies of the court are thus increased, 
and its extortions multiplied; this evil is daily increasing. 
* A part of this political picture has changed since these re- 
marks of Ali Bey were written. (Note of the Editor.) 
