s durst not put in their claim, for fear of being beaten. Lambs
just fallen, geese and turkies (sic) big with egg, all massacred
without distinction! I fancied I heard the complaints of Melibeus
for the hope of his flock. When the bassas travel, 'tis yet worse.
These oppressors are not content with eating all that is to be eaten
belonging to the peasants; after they have crammed themselves and
their numerous retinue, they have the impudence to exact what they
call _teeth-money_, a contribution for the use of their teeth, worn
with doing them the honour of devouring their meat. This is
literally and exactly true, however extravagant it may seem; and such
is the natural corruption of a military government, their religion
not allowing of this barbarity, any more than ours does.

I HAD the advantage of lodging three weeks at Belgrade, with a
principal effendi, that is to say a scholar. This set of men are
equally capable of preferments in the law or the church, these two
sciences being cast into one, and a lawyer and a priest being the
same word in the Turkish language. They are the only men really
considerable in the empire; all the profitable employments and church
revenues are in their hands. The grand signior, though general heir
to his people, never presumes to touch their lands or money, which
go, in an uninterrupted succession, to their children. 'Tis true,
they lose this privilege, by accepting a place at court, or the title
of Bassa; but there are few examples of such fools among them. You
may easily judge of the power of these men, who have engrossed all
the learning, and almost all the wealth of the empire. 'Tis they
that are the real authors, though the soldiers are the actors of
revolutions. They deposed the late sultan Mustapha; and their power
is so well known, that 'tis the emperor's interest to flatter them.

THIS is a long digression. I was going to tell you, that an intimate
daily conversation with the effendi Achmet-beg, gave me an
opportunity of knowing their religion and morals in a more particular
manner than perhaps any Christian ever did. I explained to him the
difference between the religion of England and Rome; and he Was
pleased to hear there were Christians that did not worship images, or
adore the Virgin Mary. The ridicule of transubstantiation appeared
very strong to him.--Upon comparing our creeds together, I am
convinced that if our friend Dr ---- had free liberty of preaching