by William E. Johnson
"Historians inform us, that the Christians, an enterprising and artful race, have from the earliest times, constantly made use of deceit and violence to effect their ambitious purposes. Under the disguise of merchants, they formerly introduced themselves into Damascus and Jerusalem; in the same manner they have since obtained a footing in Hindustan, where the English have reduced the inhabitants to slavery; so now, likewise encouraged by the Beys, the same people have lately attempted to insinuate themselves into Egypt, with a view no doubt, as soon as they have made maps of the country, and taken plans of the fortifications, to attempt to conquer it."
"There are three scourges to beware of in Turkey; fires, the plague and Dragomen."
"It is, perhaps, a fortunate circumstance for Europe, that the efforts which have been made at different times, and which are still making, by European officers, to introduce a discipline among the Turks, have proved ineffectual; for, if they are considered in regard to their personal courage, their bodily strength, or their military habits, they will be found to equal, if not to surpass, any other body of men. A loaf of bread, with an onion, is what many of them have always lived upon; rice is a luxury, and meat a dainty to them. With this abstemious diet they are strangers to many of our diseases, and the hardships of a camp life are habitual to them; because from their infancy, they have slept upon the ground and in the open air."
Back to Dragoman Vol. 2 No. 1 Table of Contents Back to Dragoman List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1997 by William E. Johnson This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com |