MORLACCHT. 
37 
pitality is equally conspicuous among the rich and poor. The rich 
prepares a roasted lamb or sheep, and the poor with equal cordiality 
ofters whatever he has ; nor is this generosity confined to strangers, 
but generally extends itself to all who are in want. When a Mor- 
lach is on a journey, and comes to lodge at a friend’s house, the 
eldest daughter, or the new-married bride, if there happens to be 
one, receives and kisses him when he alights from his horse, or at 
the door of the house, but a foreigner is rarely favoured with these 
female civilities ; on the contrary, the young women hide themselves, 
and keep out of the way. 
The Morlacchi have little notion of domestic economy, and often 
consume in a week as much as would be sufficient for several months, 
whenever any occasion of merriment occurs. A marriage, the holy- 
day of a saint, the arrival of relations or friends, or any other joyful 
incident, consumes all the provisions in the house. Yet they are great 
economists of their wearing apparel. Nothing but an absolute impossi- 
bility hinders a Morlach from being punctual, and if he cannot repay 
the money he borrowed at the appointed time, he carries a small 
present to his creditor, and requests a longer term. Thus, from 
term to term, and present to present, he often pays double what he 
owed. 
Friendship is lasting among the Morlacchi. They have even made 
it a kind of religious point, and tie the sacred bond at the foot of the 
altar. The Sclavonian ritual contains a particular benediction for 
the solemn union of two males or two females in presence of the con- 
gregation. The male friends thus united are called Pobratirai, and 
the female Posestreme, which means, half-brothers and half-sisters. 
Their duties are, to assist each other in every case of need or danger, 
to revenge mutual wrongs, and such like. The enthusiasm is often 
carried so far as to risk and lose lives for each other, although these 
savage friends are not celebrated like Pylades and Orestes. If dis- 
cord happens to arise between two friends, it is talked of all over the 
country as a scandalous novelty ; and there have been some recent 
examples of it, which the old Morlacchi attribute to their inter- 
course with the Italians. But as the friendships of the Morlacchi are 
strong, so their quarrels are unextinguishable. They pass from 
father to son ; and the mothers put their children in mind of their 
duty to revenge their father, if he has had the misfortune to be killed, 
and to shew them often the bloody shirt and arms of the dead. 
A Morlach is naturally inclined to do good to his fellow-creatures, 
and is full of gratitude for the smallest benefit, but implacable if 
insulted or injured. A Morlach who has killed another of a power- 
ful family, commonly saves himself by flight, and keeps out of the 
way for several years. If during that time he has been fortunate 
enough to escape the search of his pursuers, and has got a small sum 
of money, he endeavours to obtain pardon and peace ; and that he 
may treat about the conditions in person, he asks and obtains a safe- 
conduct, which is faithfully maintained, though only verbally granted. 
Then he finds mediators, and on the appointed day the relations of the 
hostile families meet, and the criminal is introduced, dragging him- 
self along on his hands and feet, the musket, pistol, or cutlass, with 
