36 
MOPvLACCIII. 
that the Morlacchi generally call themselves, in their own language, 
Vlassi ; a national term, of which no vestige is found in the records 
of Dalmatia until the thirteenth century. It signifies powerful men, 
or men of authority : and the denomination of Moro Vlassi, now cor- 
rupted to Morlacchi, may perhaps point out the origin of the 
nation. This word may possibly signify the conquerors that came 
from the sea ; Moor, in all the dialects of the Sclavonian language, 
signifying the sea. 
The Morlacchi are so different from the inhabitants of the sea- 
coast in dialect, dress, dispositions, and customs, that they seem 
clearly to be of a different origin, or at least the colonies must have 
settled at such distant periods from each other, that they have had 
time to alter in a great measure their national character. There is 
also a remarkable diversity among the Morlacchi themselves in dif- 
ferent districts, probably on account of the different countries from 
whence they came. With regard to their character, they are much 
misrepresented by their maritime neighbours. The inhabitants of the 
sea coast of Dalmatia tell many frightful stories of their avarice and 
cruelty ; but these, in our author’s opinion, are all either of an 
ancient date, or, if any have happened in later times, they ought 
rather to be ascribed to the corruption of a few individuals, than to 
the bad disposition of the nation in general ; and though thievish 
tricks are frequent among them, he informs us that a stranger 
may travel securely through this country, where he is faithfully 
escorted and hospitably treated. 
' The greatest danger is from the Haiducks, or banditti, of whom 
there are great numbers among the woods and caves of these dread- 
ful mountains on the confines. There, says our author, a man ought 
to get himself escorted by a couple of these honest fellows : for they 
are not capable of betraying him, although a banditti ; and their situa- 
tion is commonly more apt to create compassion than diffidence. 
They live among the wolves, wandering from one precipice to another, 
exposed to the severity of the seasons, and often languish in want of 
the necessaries of life, in the most hideous and solitary caverns. 
Yet they very seldom disturb the tranquillity of others, and prove 
always faithful guides to travellers ; the chief objects of their rapine 
being sheep and oxen, to supply them with food and shoes. Some- 
times it happens, that, in their extreme necessity, the Haiducks go 
in parties to the shepherds’ cottages, and rudely demand some- 
thing to eat ; which they immediately take by force, if any hesitation 
is made. It is seldom, indeed, that they meet with a refusal, or with 
resistance, as their resolution and fury is well known to be equal to 
the savage life they lead. 
The Haiducks look upon it as a meritorious action to kill the 
Turks, being led to this, not only by their natural ferocity, but 
inflamed by a mistaken zeal for religion, and the discourses of their 
fanatic priests. But the Morlacchi are open and sincere to such a 
degree, that they would be taken for simpletons in any other country ; 
and accordingly they have been so often duped by the Italians, 
that the faith of an Italian, and the faith of a dog, are synonymous 
among them. They are very hospitable to strangers; and their hos- 
