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PREFACE.

THE hackneyed apology for such reprints as the present, namely, the suggestion of friends, is at least in this instance a true one. How far it is valid and sufficient, must be left to others to decide.

The alterations are limited to a few corrections, and some very slight additions. The allusions to the war, which may have lent a fictitious interest to this article. have been suffered to remain; and the reader is therefore requested to bear in mind that it was written towards the close of the year 1854.

To say that subsequent study has confirmed the author in his views, but too frequently means, that he has caught at everything tending in the same direction, and either wilfully or unconsciously overlooked all that might impugn the correctness of his conclusions. He may, however, venture to refer to the second volume of Dean Milman's History of Latin Christianity (which, although slightly prior in date of publication, had not been seen by him when he wrote) as containing much that coincides with the opinions here expressed. He has also met with a few sentences in Dr. Mill's work against Strauss, which lend support to the estimate here given of Mahometanism as a system; a support

the more valuable, from the circumstance that that lamented writer has on this subject not only the claim upon our attention arising from his deep piety and learning, but also that conferred by his experience of the practical working of Islamism, as displayed in India.

It will doubtless be thought by many, that what is said or quoted concerning the Turks is too harsh as regards their past, too despairing with reference to their future. This is, of course, quite possible; still the writer would again request any who wish to form a just judgment, to read with caution all publications upon Turkey and her people which have issued from the press during the last two or three years. It is natural to wish well to our allies, but such wishes are not always conducive to impartiality of temper or clearness of perception. Those who indulge in hopeful prospects for Turkey appear to argue mainly from the wonderful courage and endurance displayed at Silistria and at Kars, and from the representations put forth in the two volumes of M. Ubicini. Without detracting from the merits of the Turks in war, let it be remembered that they were led in both these sieges by English officers; and that the same records which describe the gallant fidelity of the Turkish soldiers, corroborate all previous accounts of the hopeless corruption of their native Pashas. And as regards M. Ubicini, we may give credit to his statistics without necessarily supposing that his statement of the case is complete, or his inferences always tenable. A detailed examination of his arguments would be unsuitable in an essay which only treats of Turkey incidentally; but those who distrust the soundness of M. Ubicini's theories may find

additional cause for that distrust in the writings of M. Koch, Lord Carlisle, and Mr. Finlay.

And, finally, the author cannot allow the re-statement of a reference to the one great fault of our late foes, without expressing his full recognition of the many admirable points in the Russian character.

July, 1856.

NOTE.--It may be well to refresh the reader's memory on the signification of the following words :MOHAMMED, the glorified.

ISLAM, entire resignation to the will of God.
IMAN, faith.

MOSLEM, MUSSULMAN, believer (derived from Islam).
CORAN, or KORAN, recitation, reading.

ALCORAN, (the same, with the article) the reading par excellence.

OTTOMANS, the Turks of the race of Othman, as distinguished from the

SELJUKIANS, the Turks of the race of Seljuk.
MUFTI, the chief priest among Mussulmans.

If any profits arise from the sale of this publication, they will be given to the fund for erecting the proposed Memorial Church at Constantinople.

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