SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

HISTORY, A History of Servia and the Servian Revolution, from original MSS. and Documents. Translated from the German of Leopold Ranke, by Mrs. Alexander Kerr, Authoress

of "Songs of Hope and Memory," &c Murray. MEDICAL POLICY.,

A Treatise on the Plague, more especially on the Police Management of that Dis- ease. Illustrated by the Plan of Operations sumessfully carried into effect in the

late Plague of Corfu. With Hints on Quarantine. By A. White, stn Deputy Inspector-General of Military Hospitals, and late Superintendent of the Plague in Corfu, and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons In London Churelrill. Taavaza, Scenes and Thoughts In Europe. By an American Wiley and Putnam. Fic-now, Forteseue ; a Novel. By James Sheridan Knowles, Author of " Virginias," " wn- Ham Tell," " The Hunchback," &c. In three volumes Maxon.

BAKKE'S HISTORY OF SERVIA.

ONE of two things seems necessary to impart attraction to afull history. The people must have had some direct and obvious influence on the ad- vancement of mankind, or they must be closely connected with us by interest or sympathy. Upon the fate of Europe the Servians had little influence, or none, further than acting as a temporary breakwater to the tide of Ottoman invasion ; and that in common with various other nations or provinces, from the Baltic to the Ionian Isles. To a German, especially to an Austrian, Servia is interesting as having borne a part in the Turkish wars, and being now a sort of outpost of the empire, and a focus for Russian intrigue and German apprehension. The constitution of Servia lately granted by the Porte, and the establishment of direct consular inter- course with the Western states of Europe, may give the country an in- terest among diplomatists : the historical student will regard the Servian history with curiosity, if he considers with Ranke that it is in Servia the characteristic differences between Islamism and Christianity are to be best observed, and that there the struggle is now going on between Oriental and Western forms of government : but the scene is too remote, and the subject is of too critical or curious a character, to command the same attention from the "reading public" as the previous translations of this historian. At the same time, the book displays as much ability as the other productions of Ranke, if not more; and the translator, Mrs. Kerr, is entitled to thanks for a valuable addition to the library. The history of Servia is divided into three parts. The first consists of the story of little more than a tribe, or tribes, till the fourteenth century. Their great leader, Stephan Dushan, then took advantage of the state of confusion into which all Eastern Europe was plunged by the decline of the Greek Empire and the successes of the Turks, to extend his sway over nearly the whole of the provinces between Greece and the Danube. He died, however, before he could consolidate his new dominion, if consoli- dated it could have been; and in 1389, on the field of Kossowa, the Servian forces were defeated, and Servia became a tributary and de- pendant state. Its final reduction under the Ottomans and their rule forms the second division of the subject. The third section embraces the growing independence of the Porte of the provincial governors, towards the latter part of the last century ; and the oppressions those irregular and numerous tyrants exercised upon the Christian subjects of the Sultan. These with other stimulating circumstances, both political and social, induced a Servian revolt against the Delis or Delhis, ostensibly in loyalty to the Pasha and Porte, but which grew into a series of national insurrections, wars, and revolutions. These endured for the greater part of this century; and were not finally settled till 1843, when the son of Kara George, the originator of the first movement against the Delhis, became Prince of Servia under the sanction of the Porte.

In the management of this subject Ranke displays judgment. The first period is passed over rapidly. In the second he exhibits the manners and customs of the Servians, with the nature of the Turkish system in Servia, and the character of its rule. The third or revolutionary sera is treated at great length, both as regards persons and events, and constitu- tional or diplomatic topics. This last part is elaborated in particulars, without always being as comprehensive and satisfactory as it might have been made: but for German interest, and perhaps for German objects, it may not be too full. Judged by an English view, the work would have been better for a little extension in the first and second divisions and greater condensation in the last.

If we consider the merit of a workman without reference to the sub- ject matter, the volume before us is perhaps the most favourable speci- men of Ranke's abilities and skill as an historian. He contrives to in- spire an interest for a remote, obscure, and semibarbarous people, and to give unity to a desultory and broken subject. This is partly done by well dividing and arranging his matter, but chiefly by penetrating the spirit that lurks at the bottom of events, causing actions, and animating the actors. In doing this, he probably indulges a little too much in system, and deduces conclusions which are not fully supported in their extent; but he suggests new views of the Turkish or perhaps Mahome- tan principles of rule, explains the peculiarities that distinguished it in Servia, and without aiming at delineating pictures of manners, indicates dis- tinctly the social characteristics among the Servians—rude and primitive, yet not without a species of Homeric simplicity and strength in the leaders. The effects of long-exercised tyranny are also well marked in the self- will it produced amongst the champions of freedom ; who, as soon as they had thrown off the Turkish yoke, and as a matter of necessity be- come rulers, struggled to pursue the old arbitrary mode of ruling, as the only one with which they were acquainted. A more perfect illustration of the fable of the man and the ass that carried the panniers, it would be difficult to find than in the revolutions of Servia. It was this love for arbitrary power, or rather, the practical ignorance of everything else, that sustained confusion in Servia so long, and preserved its present nominal submission to the Porte. In some cases the leader for the time might exercise a severer sway than the Turks in general; while he often looked upon his native opponents not only as enemies, but

as personal enemies. These circumstances naturally deadened the feelings of the peasantry for freedom, and induced them to support a satiated rule, and to look with suspicion on any new authorities even when re- presenting constitutional authority. The Senate (of seventeen senators) was unpopular. "A large number of the peasants contended that they were better governed by one ruler, who had procured them peace, than by so many, all of whom would be desirous of amassing riches at their expense. t One ditch,' they were heard to say, they had already filled; now seventeen new ones were to be opened for them. ' The actual Servian Revolution may be said to date from the beginning of the present century ; and it was guided to a successful issue by two men, though both were unable to settle or consolidate the power they established, not from any real badness or tyranny in themselves, but from the government to which they had been subject all their lives, and the want of those comprehensive views which result from education and ex- perience. Kara George, the first leader, was as despotic as a Pacha ; and would have been destroyed by the Servians at the end, had not the Turks regained their ascendancy. Circumstances enabled them to bring a con- siderable force to bear upon Servia from two opposite quarters : Kara George, though brave and skilful in irregular war, seems to have been quite unable to comprehend strategy, or to conduct a complicated busi- ness. Swayed by personal feelings, he retained incompetent men in im- portant posts; formed no proper plan of campaign ; had his forces over- whelmed by piecemeal, and was totally beaten before he knew it ; so that he had to flee without even facing the enemy. The cruelties of the re- instated Turks raised another insurrection: the leader Milosch succeed- ed to the power of Kara George, and seems to have possessed a more politic mind ; but his uncultivated character occasioned his downfall, and he had to withdraw into voluntary exile. A son of Kara was then elected or appointed Prince of Servia, with less independent power both of the people and the Porte than his two predecessors, and with a regular constitution, at least upon paper. The actions of these men, the par- ticulars of the revolutions in which they were engaged, and the details of their rule, must be sought for in Ranke. A few anecdotes will de- scribe individual men, and indicate the Servians generally.

PERSONAL TRAITS OF KARA GEORGE.

He was the son of a peasant named Petroni; and in his early youth he went with his parents higher up into the mountain to Topola. In the very first com- motion of the country, (which was in the year 1787, when an invasion by the Austrians was expected,) he took a part that decided the character of his future life. He saw himself compelled to flee; and, not wishing to leave his father be- hind amongst the Turks, he took him also, with all his moveable property and cattle. . Thus he proceeded towards the Save: but the nearer they approached that river the more alarmed became his father; who from the first would have preferred surrendering, as many others had done, and often advised him to re- turn. Once again, and in the most urgent manner, when they already beheld the Save before them, " Let us humble ourselves," the old man said, "and we shall obtain pardon. Do not. go to Germany, my son: as surely as my bread may prosper thee, do not go." But George remained inexorable. His father was at last equally resolved: Go, then, over alone " he said; "I remain in this coun- try." " How !" replied Kara George; " shall I live to see thee slowly tortured to death by the Turks? It is better that I should kill thee myself on the spot." Then, seizing a pistol, he instantly shot his father; and ordered one of his com- panions to give the death-blow to the old man, who was writhing in agony. In the next village, Kara said to the people, " Get the old man who lies yonder buried for me, and drink also for his soul at a funeral feast." For that purpose he made them a present of the cattle which he had with him; and then crossed the Save.

This deed, which was the first indication of his character, threw him out of the common course. He returned to his own district, with the rank of sergeant, in the corps of volunteers; but, believing himself unjustly passed over at a distri- bution of medals, he retired into the mountains as a heyduc [robber]. However, he became reconciled in this matter with his Colonel, Mihaljewitsch • went with him after the peace to Austria; and was made " forest-keeper" in the cloister of Kruschedol. But he did not rest satisfied in Austria; and as under Hadschi Mustafa he had nothing to fear in Servia, he returned thither, and from that time followed his business, that of a dealer in swine. The outrages of the Dallis hurried him into the movements in which be was destined to perform so import- ant a part. Kara George was a very extraordinary man. He would sit for days together without uttering a word, biting his nails. At times, when addressed, he would turn his head aside and not answer. When he had taken wine he became talk- ative; and if in a cheerful mood, he would perhaps lead off a Kolo-dance. Splendour and magnificence he despised. In the days of his greatest success he was always seen in his old blue trousers, in his worn-out short pelt, and his well-known black cap. His daughter, even whilst her father was in the exercise of princely authority, was seen to carry her water-vessel, like other girls in the village. Yet, strange to say, he was not insensible to the charms of gold. • • * In the affairs of peace, Kara George evinced, as has been shown, a decided in- clination for a regular course of proceeding; and although lie could not himself write, he was fond of having business carried on in writing: he allowed matters to follow their own course for a long time together; but if they were carried too far, his very justice was violent and terrible. His only brother, presuming on his name and relationship, took unwarrantable licence; and for a long time Kara George overlooked his misconduct. But at length he did violence to a young maiden; whose friends complained loudly, exclaiming, that it was for crimes of such a character that the nation had risen against the Turks. Kara George was eo greatly enraged at this vile deed, that he ordered this only brother, whom he loved, to be hanged at the door of the house; and forbade his mother to mourn outwardly for the death of her son.

In rugged strength of character, and probably in the ruder virtues, Milosch seems to have been inferior to Kara George. In capacity, in- telligence, and experience, Milosch was the superior. When George fled before the Turks, Milosch was the only Servian of any mark who remained.

" When the army of Scbabaz dispersed, and so many of the Woiwodes escaped over the Save, Milosch Obrenowitsch alone, of all the number, continued on the Servian side of the river, mourning over the past—meditating on the future. As he rode along the bank of the Save, Jacob Nenadowitsch once more came over to Sabreschje, where Milosch bad stopped to refresh his horses, and tried to persuade him to seek safety in flight. What will my life profit me in Austria ?' he answered; ' while in the mean time the enemy will sell into slavery my wife and child and my aged mother. No! whatever may be the fate of my fellow country- men shall be mine also!'" There seems to have been something ready and dramatic in Milosch. He never failed in a terse speech for a difficulty, and be knew how to make a determination effective. At first he had been employed under the Turks to restore order ; but their growing tyranny spread a wide dissatisfaction ; only a leader was wanting to begin an insurrection ; and Milosch at last came forward, in a way that would tell upon the stage. " On Palm Sunday, 1815, Milosch himself came forward: early in the morning, he appeared at the Church of Takowo, amidst large numbers of the people who bad assembled there. ' Even the old men, usually so cautious, now demanded a revolution; and all present swore unanimously to forget their internal dissensions and to obey Miloseh. In the interim the Momkes assembled at Zrnutscha. Brilliantly armed, and with the banner of a Woiwode in his hand, Milosch stepped into the midst of the assembly. ' Here am I,' he said; and now war against the Turks is begun "

Power, unrestrained if not absolute, was, however, too much for him ; and it eventually worked his downfall.

TYRANNY OF MILOSCH.

Milosch took possession of whatever he pleased—fields, houses, and mills— fixing the price himself. He one day, as though he were the proprietor, and without asking leave of any one, burnt one of the suburbs of Belgrade, because it was his intention to erect new buildings on the site. He also continued to impose the most severe bond-service: the peasants Uscbize had to come to Kragujewaz, to assist him in his hay harvest; and the traders of Belgrade were seen to close their shops that they might go to unload the hay of the Knias. Nor were the people remunerated for thequartering and provisions of the sol- diers. Whilst the Turkish tartars [couriers] were already beginning to pay for what they had, the Servian messengers exacted their supplies gratuitously. It was not unusual for a Momke to leave his tired horse in the village, in charge of the bystanders, and take the first he could find as a substitute in the interim. "I should like to see," said one of the Pi ince's drivers, "who would dare to disobey his Highness"; and he immediately put the oxen of the peasants to his carriage. Under such circumstances, it frequently occurred that the public power was abused for personal advantage. What had previously occasioned such great ex- citement against Mladen and Miloje was repeated by Milosch; who endeavoured to monopolize the most lucrative trade of the country, that of dealing in swine. He enclosed the woods, which had hitherto been common to all, for the purpose of keeping his own cattle in them. A very extraordinary decree, by which the giving credit was impeded, or even prohibited, was interpreted by the people into an intention on his part to prevent every sort of association, in order that Milosch, as the richest man in Servia, might monopolize the entire commerce of the country. He appeared to consider that the power of the Sultan had been dele- gated to him; and that consequently he was absolute master over the land, the people, and their property. Am I the master," he was heard to say, "and shall I not be at liberty to do what I please?" Indeed, he was invariably designated Master in the country.