We have endeavoured elsewhere to explain the meaning of this
revolution, but may say here that it is the work of the old Mussulman party, headed by Hussein Avni Pasha, the War Minister, leagued for a moment with Young Turkey, whose leader, Midhat Pasha, becomes Grand Vizier ; and its objects are to re- invigorate the old Mohammedan policy, to re-establish Mussulman ascendency, to strengthen the Administration, and to relieve the Empire of foreign influence. Christians are promised full pro- tection, and Murad has pledged himself to economy, justice, and a vigorous reassertion of authority in the insurgent districts. He will also consult the Grand Divan, but we need scarcely say the stories about" Constitutions" are based on misapprehension. The Khalif is to govern well, but he is to govern, and not to be governed. The success of the whole movement as an internal reform de- pends on the character of Murad, who is believed to be a well- informed, but rather insignificant person, who has been trained by the circumstances of his life to caution and compromise. He was taken from a cellar in his own house to be proclaimed Khalif, his uncle having for the past month kept him in strict con- finement,--an incident worthy of "The Arabian Nights."
