Origin of the Ottoman Empire-Siege and Capture of Constantinople by the Turks-Mahomet-The Sultans-Abdul Medjid-His popularity and The Russian Empire-Area and population-Social organization-Reli- gious policy-Nobility-Serfs-Conscription-The Army-Progress of '. Arrival of Menschikoff at Constantinople-Demands of the Czar-The Sultan-Occupation of Moldavia and Wallachia-Conference of Vienna- Protest of the Porte-Turkish forces-Commencement of hostilities. Anecdote-His Birth-Reforms-Sultan Mahmud-Enlistment in the Turkish army-His application-Expeditions among the wild tribes- Appointed Generalissimo-Present high position-Domestic life-Marriage -Personal habits-Kossuth and Hungarian refugees-War on the Danube SCHAMYL, THE PROPHET-WARRIOR OF THE CAUCASUS. Caucasus-Character of the tribes-Circassian slave trade-Birth of Schamyl-Personal appearance-Form of government-His army and body-guard-Financial rule-Struggles with Russia-Personal habits- CHAPTER VI. TREATY OF ALLIANCE. The Five Articles of the Treaty-War on the Danube-General Luders -The Pestilence-Decree of the Czar-Governor of Moscow-Loss of the frigate Tiger-Captain Gifford-Black Sea fleet-Duke of CambridgeArrival at Varna-Captain Hall-Admiral Plumridge-General Bodisco -Silistria-The Siege-Mussa Pacha-Evacuation of the Principalities by the Russians 85 CHAPTER VIL CRIMEAN EXPEDITION. The Crimea The Fleet-Appearance in the Bay of Baltjik-Sail from Varna-Land at Eupatoria-March inland-Battle of Alma-Lord Raglan -Appearance of the Troops-Distance from Sebastapol-The morning of battle-Advance to the river Alma-Russian Position-The ZouavesStorming the heights-March to Sebastopol-Death of Marshal St. Arnaud -General Canrobert. 99 CHAPTER VIII. SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. Bay of Balaklava-Landing of the Siege guns-Russian guns-Sebastopol-Its appearance-Military harbor-Fortifications-Vessels of warThe country around Sebastopol-Allies opening trenches-Message of the governor to Lord Raglan-Bombardment-Lancaster guns-Explosion in the French batteries-Russian powder magazine explodes-The Allied Fleet -The Cannonade-Riflemen-Battle of Balaklava-British and French Position-The Combat-The Turks-The Highlanders-The Russian Cavalry-Captain Nolan-Lord Cardigan. CHAPTER IX. SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL 122 Lord Raglan-His life-Battle of Inkerman-Morning of battle-Sons of Emperor Nicholas-The attack-Troops engaged-Fierce encountersSir George Cathcart-His death-Russian cruelty-French infantry-The Zouaves-Chasseurs-Russians retire-Renewed attack-Repulsed by the French-Defeat-Sorties-Night after battle-Treaty with Austria of 2d Dec.-Negotiations for peace-The four points-Landing of Omer Pacha at Eupatoria. 152 EUROPE AND THE ALLIES OF TO-DAY. CHAPTER I. TURKEY AND RUSSIA. Origin of the Ottoman Empire-Siege and Capture of Constantinople by the Turks-Mahomet-The Sultans-Abdul Medjid-His popularity and power-The Koran. The Russian Empire-Area and population-Social organization-Religious policy-Nobility-Serfs-Conscription-The Army-Progress of Russia and extension of her frontiers-Nicholas-Poland. IN the former half of the sixth century, Justinian was Emperor of the East. His empire nearly corresponded in geographical extent with the country which we now call Turkey in Europe. During his reign, Constantinople was visited by a company of warlike strangers, whose savage aspect filled all the people with amazement and fear. Their long hair, which hung in tresses down their backs, was gracefully bound with ribbons, but in the rest of their habit they resembled the Huns. These were the first Turks ever seen in Europe. They had come to offer the Emperor their alliance, which was accepted at a given price. They had travelled from the foot of Mount Caucasus, where they first heard of the splendor and weakness of the Roman Empire. Their origin was beyond that celebrated ridge, and in the midst of another no less celebrated, and which is variously known as the Caf, the Imaus, the Golden Mountains, and the Girdle of the Earth. Here lived the people called Geougen, governed by a great Khan. In the hills they inhabited were many minerals. Iron and other mines were worked for them by the most despised portion of their slaves, who were known by the name of Turks. These slaves, under Bertezena, one of their number, rebelled against the great Khan, and succeeded in possessing themselves of their native country. From freedom they proceeded to conquest, and it was in the course of their victories that they found their way to the Caucasus. Nearly a century elapsed, and Heraclius was Emperor. He formed an alliance with the Turks, and so honored their prince as to place the imperial diadem on his head, and salute him with a tender embrace as his son. In the ninth century the Turks were introduced into Arabia. The Caliph Motassem employed them as his own guards in his own capital. He educated them in the exercise of arms, and in the profession of the Mahometan faith. No less a number than 50,000 of these hardy foreigners did he thus foolishly establish in the very heart of his dominions. In due time they became masters of some portions of the country into which they had been admitted as mercenaries. For one of their princes, Mahmood or Mahmud, the title of Sultan was invented, about a thousand years after Christ. Its meaning is autocrat or lord. His conquests were very extensive, and stretched |