4 SEPTEMBER 1897, Page 17

THE TURK.

[To rim EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.']

Sin,—I have not seen the passage quoted below remarked on recently, though of course it may have been :—" By the same reason [largeness of territory] there cannot but ensue a disso- lution to the State of the Turk in regard of the largeness of Empire, whensoever their martial virtue and discipline shall be further relaxed, whereof the time seemeth to approach." This passage occurs in Bacon. In view of the fact that this was written very nearly three hundred years ago, it seems especially interesting. There are a good many prophecies of the same nature made to-day.--I am, Sir,

LAWRENCE JONES.

6 Water Street, Liverpool, August 3011&.