THE TURKISH PEASANT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 31

THE TURKISH PEASANT.

"The Tuik whom the use of power has not corrupted, whom oppression has not debased, is certainly one of those men who please most by a happy blending of good qualities. Never does he cheat you ; honest and upright, he is true as steel to his own folk; extremely hospitable ; respectful,* yet never

servile; discreet, tolerant, benevolent, and very kind to animals." Such is the judgment passed upon the Osmanli by Elisee Reclus, the great geographer; and it were impossible to have said anything better or truer ; his opinion agrees, moreover, in every respect with that of the tiavellers who have made a close study of the Bast.

To find this Turk, however, whom " the use of power has not corrupted," one must look for him in the heart of the provinces — never in the great towns. It is to him that this praise applies ; but, alas lit applies to him only.

The most noteworthy traits of his character are probity and a dread of lying. In this above all things he is distinguished from the Turk of Constantinople, who cheats and lies with really admiiable impudence. He in no way differs from the Armenian or the Greek, whose pastime it is to dupe the poor Mussulman yokel, and who laughs at him into the bargain.

His sobriety is proverbial. No European peasant could stand such frugality, nor subsist upon such simple fare as coarse black bread and draughts of cold water. Upon this the Turkish peasant easily lives. The dram-shop for him does not exist. In his personal habits he is very clean, for his religion exacts that he shall often perform his ablutions. For all that, he loftily ignores the simplest rules of health. His home is a mere den dug out of the ground, without furniture and void of windows.

In general the Turkish peasant is a monogamist. If he takes a second wife it is because he wishes "to have a second servant." But he treats this latter affectionately, and adores his children. One cannot too greatly praise his kindness to animals. In many of the provincial districts the donkey has the privilege of two day 3' holiday in the week. This sentiment of gentleness, which does such honour to a bellicose people like the Turks, is to be remarked throughout the entire nation. Thus, at Stamboul, the inhabitants show great kindness to the vagabond street dogs, and they are pained to see brutal Greeks and Levantines wontonly strike and kick the poor animals if they lie in their path. So soon as a bitch has puppies they lodge her at the side of the street, in an improvised kennel made out of an old box lined with straw and old bits of carpet. At the threshold of most doors in Stamboul you will find little pannikins full of water, while during Ramaxan the Turks provide food for all the dogs in their neighbourhood. Let us here note a characteristic trait. If a young Turk is in a mood to lash out, after having come in, say, for a thumping legacy, he goes to the nearest baker's and buys a quantity of bread, which he distributes among the dogs of the quarter. It is a great pleasure for him to see all those beaming eyes, snuffling noses, and wagging tails. The poor brutes are so glad of a kind word or a pat that their expressions of gratitude prove often over-demonstrative, for their muddy paws and muzzles are not very desirable things — albeit readily, honestly offered. The Turk is generous ; he rarely refuses alms to a beggar, and if unable to give it he politely says, "Ynayet Allah 1" May God help you ! This is certainly far more courteous than to send the beggar to the deuce, as do Europeans. The hospitality 'of the Turk is proverbial. So soon as a visitor arrives coffee and cigarettes are brought to him ; and, if he consents to stay, all that is best in the house is set apart for his benefit ; but this is done with that innate tact which avoids importunate questioning. It will be seen that the Ottoman peasant has qualities which prevent one from despairing as to the regeneration of the country. When the gangrenous element that makes the administration rotten shall have been removed, the Turkish race will once more be fused, welded, and find the well-springs of its ancient vitality among the Turkoman tribes that people the high table lands of Asia Minor.

To all these virtues the Turkish peasant, of course, joins imperfections. He is not an energetic worker. If he delves, it is because he must ; and so soon as he can he returns to his kef, never troubling, never dreaming about his future position. His only care in producing is that his family may live.— From "The Truth about Turkey," by Kesnin Bey.