This Empire Is One Of The Most Beautiful And Fertile Countries,
Perhaps In The World; But The Despotism Under Which
It has groaned,
and the capricious humours of its former rulers, destroyed, and
prevented the effects of industry; besides, the
Rapacity of the
Sheiks, who are the Bashaws of the country, carried off every thing
that labour could collect. The present Emperor is endeavouring to
correct these abuses, and to bring about a reformation, which I am
sure he will never effect, owing to the great influence of the priests
and saints in these states. Although this monarch is humane and
impartial, and possesses nothing of the ferocious character of his
predecessors, yet seldom a day passes without some executions.
The people regard their Emperor as a god upon earth, and revere him as
a descendant of their great prophet. All his commands, right or wrong,
just or unjust, they consider as the decrees of Heaven. A blind
obedience to the will of their Sovereign, is inculcated in the minds
of their youth, more as a matter of religion than of state; and the
Emperor may put as many of his subjects to death as he deems
expedient, without assigning any other motive for so doing than secret
inspiration. When at war with any Christian prince, it is considered
as a war of religion, and the Moors who fall in the field of battle,
are accounted martyrs.
The number of negroes that have been imported into this country, and
are now settled in these states, is astonishing.
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