...are few in number, strangers in race and language, hated by every religion and class, wanting in physical power, destitute of moral principle, and yet they are the despots of the land. The Arabs have a proverb that, “though a Turk should compass the whole circle of the sciences, he would still remain a barbarian.” Those occupying the higher government situations in Syria are Turks, almost to a man. They obtain their power by bribery, and they exercise it for extortion and oppression. The character of the Turks has been ably sketched by Hamilton :— " They are all ignorant and presumptuous, vain and bigoted, proud without any feeling of honour, and cringing without humility; they cannot resist the temptation of money or the prospective benefit of a lie. In their government and administrative duties they are tyrannical and overbearing, in their religious doctrines dogmatical and intolerant, and in their fiscal measures mercenary and arbitrary. They are as ignorant of their own history as of that of other nations; and this is the case even with the better educated, who are in most respects far inferior in character, probity, and honour to the peasants and lower classes. .......... As long as the Turk is poor, and removed from temptation, he is honest; but no sooner is he appointed to office, or obtains the management of public money, than his uneducated mind is unable to withstand the charm, and he becomes a peculator and a thief. He appropriates to himself whatever he can lay hands on, and oppresses those below him; while, for the sake of securing his ill gotten plunder, he propitiates his superiors by bribery and adulation. This has undoubtedly led to the demoralizing practice of the Turkish government of selling all places to the highest bidder, allowing him, in return, to make the most he can out of the unprotected subjects by extortion and taxation.” Whatever we may think of Mr. Hamilton’s English, there cannot be a doubt as to the accuracy of his opinions. The Turkish rulers of Syria are here drawn to the life. Every pasha, in coming to the country, knows that his term of office must be short, and therefore his gains must be large. The country has thus been robbed of its wealth, and a tax imposed on industry and enterprise. The influence of British consuls has of late years put some check on this system of spoliation; and it is to be hoped that the recent reforms in the laws of the empire may save Syria from ruin.