LARPENT'S TURKEY. * Sue JAirEs PORTER, on whose papers these volumes

may be said to be founded, was born in 1710, and died in 1786. He was origin- ally intended for mercantile business, and was placed with a house in the City; but having through a common friend been introduced to the celebrated Lord Granville, (then Lord Carteret,) he made so favourable an impression that his Lordship patronized and em- ployed him in various d:plomatie services. They would seem to have begun in 1736. By 1741 he was associated at Vienna with Mr. afterwards Sir Thomas Robinson as joint envoy during that crisis of the house of Hapsburg when the Elector of Bavaria, backed by France and Prussia, set up for Emperor, and attacked Maria Theresa, on the death of her father Charles the Sixth. In 1746, Porter was appointed Ambassador to the Porte, and re- mained at Constantinople for fifteen years. On his return he pub- lished "Observations on Turkey," and a pamphlet against the first partition of Poland,—which was preaching to the winds. These volumes profess to be founded on the "Journals and Cor- respondence" of Sir James Porter. It is but a comparatively small portion of the book that emanates from his pen. A full half of the first volume consists of a geographical survey and com- mercial exposition of the Turkish empire by Sir George Larpent, followed by a sketch of Ottoman history to the accession of the •• Turkey: its History and Progress: from the Journals and Correspondence of Sir James Porter, fifteen years Ambassador at Constantinople. Continued to the Present Time, with a Memoir of Sir James Porter, by his Grandson, Sir George Laepent, Bart., &e. Sce. In two volumes. Published by Hurst and Blackett. present Sultan. The second volume contains an account of the institutions, social condition, finances, military and naval strength of the Turks, as they now exist, or are supposed to exist. The matter of all these topics is drawn from books or official statistics, It is put together in a painstaking manner with an agreeable style. It would have been better had more discrimination been applied to the facts. We attach the same credit to the elaborate tables, exhibitive of the half-million of men which on paper constitute the Turkish army, we now should bestow on a similar display of the Czar's million. They have all the marks of official getting-up, and bear about the same relation to reality as a new house that has got little further than the plans and specification of the archi- tect does to the old house they are to supersede. Neither to the bookmaking Slade nor to the rhetorical Urquhart should we yield implicit credit as an authority. The compilation' however, brings together a great many facts, and furnishes much information. It may be recommended as a sanguine view of the power, resources, administration, and reforming disposition of the Ottoman empire.

The remains of Sir James Porter principally consist of his ob- servations on the religion, government, institutions, and manners of the Turks, as they appeared above a century ago ; and the fragment of an account of the negotiations of Austria with Prus- sia and Sardinia at the beginning of the war of 1741–'48, with some sketches of the Ministers in England. These are by far the most interesting and valuable parts of the book. As a diplomatist, Sir James Porter appears to have been cool, sagacious, honest, and straightforward ; averse to little higgling schemes, or to risk the failure of an important negotiation to gain some small advantage,— ill qualities which were freely exhibited by the Austrians of that day. Though not a classical scholar, (he embarked in business too early,) Sir James was a well-read man and a good linguist. His style, though not always grammatically exact, is clear, easy, and real. What was of more importance, he possessed a keen and close observation, and the power of rising from particular facts to general conclusions. The reader will regret that he did not leave behind him more of his diplomatic reminiscences and observations on the social condition and manners of the people among whom he resided ; for his sketches are natural, characteristic, and animated by a lively spirit. The judgment shown by the Turks in the management of their foreign diplomacy has often been the subject of remark, especially the sagacity which detected the latent meaning of the famous "Vienna note" of last year The following passage furnishes an explanation.

"The change of Vizirs, and sometimes, though rarely, their execution, has given rise to a general prejudice, and has been produced as an argument of the instability and disorder of the Turkish Government. Sultan Mahmud, as I have observed, introduced that change as a maxim of state, and was the first who methodically practised it.

"Some of the very lowest class of men, several of whom could neither read nor write, have occupied that high office, yet the order of Government and the course of business have not been interrupted for a moment. Another maxim, more certain and salutary, preserves the Government in its regular course ; for subalterns in office are religiously continued, and generally advanced upon a change in the Ministry, so that those who have been trained for many years, and practised in business, become the Vizies amanu- enses and instructors. Hence any new Vizir is speedily master of the method of government ; or if he be not so as to the more intricate and difficult parts, he is, so far at least as to keep the empire and the capital in peace, the men of the law in good humour, and the soldiery in due subordination,—which, perhaps, are the chief and most important ends of his great power. By this proeedure on the part of the Government, no mutation of the higher officers can ever affect the whole ; so that vrhon we read of a Kiaya to the Vizir, or a Reis Effendi being deposed, the spirit of the office remains, and business still goes on in its proper course. "The clerks and under-clerks are almost innumerable. Some hundreds of hands are kept constantly at work at the Porte : each of them' with the least talents or genius, aspires to some of the highest dignities, keeps his eye immediately fixed for years on the office he hopes to fill, and by an ob- stinate perseverance, and never moving out of that course, frequently attains his end.

"There is no Christian power which can vie with the Porte for care and exactitude in the several offices : business is done with the greatest accuracy; in any important document, words are weighed, and that signification con- stantly selected which may most conduce to their own advantage. Papers of the remotest date, if the year of the transaction is but known, may be found at the Porte ; every command granted at the time, and every regulation then made, can be immediately produced."

The observations relating to the Turks would afford many more extracts, and indeed the whole of them are worth reading. We prefer passing on to Austria. On the death of Charles the Sixth and the prospect of a disputed sovereignty to the German Empire, Frederick the Great of Prussia immediately cast about to see what advantage he could make of the favourable conjuncture, and prepared to seize Silesia. As France at the same time was evidently intending to support Charles of Bavaria as Emperor, Maria Theresa was threatened with war in all directions, when she was very imper- fectly prepared. Robinson and Porter urged upon her Ministers the prudence of conciliating Frederick by giving up Lower Silesia, part of which he had taken possession of, and entering into the treaty he proposed, which, with the support of Great Britain, would effectually check the French Government. The Austrian Ministers, however, could not be brought to any bold or frank course. They bewailed the difficulties and dangers, but they wished to temporize and bargain with Frederick; nor would they allow them- selves to believe that France would act against them,—clinging to letters whose reserve and double meaning the English envoys pointed out in vain. The Court of Vienna sent a set of proposi- tions to Frederick, through Lord Hyndford, the English Ambassa- dor to Prussia which were summarily rejected. Robinson and Porter then started themselves, though very unwillingly, as they foresaw the inutility of the second projects On arriving at the camp,

Robinson had an interview with the King, in company with Lord fryndford and one of Frederick's Ministers. "Mr. Robinson, on approaching the King, presented his credentials, ac- companied with the usual compliments on that occasion. The King received him politely. He then opened his proposal in general terms, that, as his Majesty had expressed an inclination to accept an equivalent for his preten- sions in the Netherlands, he brought him such as might be satisfactory and important. The King directly took him up, and said he never thought of, never dreamt, never meant any such compensation, nor anything like it; but that he had asked Lord Hyndford merely whether the Court of Vienna would give him all Brabant and Flanders ?—well knowing they would not ; which was the only answer he could give on that Lord's reading him the foolish silly paper transmitted from that Court, and only worthy of them : that he was so far from ever thinking of an equivalent on that side, that he would ever avoid it, were it merely not to offend his good friends the Dutch, who had never offended him ; nor would he ever be the first to make such an in- fringement on the Barrier treaty. He could not, therefore, conceive how the Court of Vienna could fall on so idle a thought, though, he confessed, the offer came with great propriety from Mr. Robinson, as an Englishman : but for his part, he never would give up conquests which cost him so much blood and treasure, nor abandon a people who had called on him and implored his assistance ; much less would he stand accused of lightness, (legerete,) or tar- nish his reign by giving up an enterprise undertaken with deliberation, carried on with resolution, and crowned with success. "Mr. Robinson obviated the first point by observing, that the Dutch, be was sure, would come into any guarantee on any cession relative to the Netherlands as should be agreed on; that the principal members of the Re- public were already prepared, and that no objection would arise from that quarter. That the Barrier treaty would not in any sense be affected by any arrangement made in that country between his Majesty and the Queen of Hungary, as it was merely intended to secure those possessions from falling into the hands of the house of Bourbon only ; that, therefore, in the danger- ous and critical situation of Europe, and the victorious, unbounded ambition of the Court of Versailles, who sought to divide and subdue its liberties, he hoped his Majesty would condescend to listen to what he was empowered to offer. What is it, then, you have to offer ? ' replied the King. First, to make a tender to your Majesty of two millions of florMs, which you had proposed giving the Court of Vienna.' 'A handsome proposal indeed !' says his Majesty. What! assuredly they think me a beggar : and what more will they give ? "All Guelderland,' replied Mr. Robinson; 'a country which may be of the utmost advantage to your Majesty by situation and commerce, as it commands the navigation of the Meuse.' On which the King turned to Count Podewills, and asked him Qu'avons noun de la Guel- dre ? ' He answered, 'Presque non, Sire.' What, then, they offer me beg- garly scraps and cottages for my just pretensions ? '

"This last reply of the King's, attended with some emotion, convinced Mr. Robinson that such proposals could have no effect ; which made him de- termine to try if the whole Duchy of Limburg would attract his attention. He threw it out to him, and desired his Majesty to consider its value and its importance ; that the commerce of that country might be greatly increased, so that the revenues, which exceeded 250,000 of florMs, might be doubled ; and that his father thought the acquisition of that Duchy worth his pursuit, and had made it many years the object of his desires. The Elector Palatine, well acquainted with its value, and the great use to which it might be con- verted, had offered in exchange the Duchy of Berg ; and that the town of Limburg was capable of being made a most considerable fortress. The King received this additional offer with as great contempt as he had done the former. He said he was expending large sums in fortifying Gloe'au and Brieg, which were the only fortresses he wanted ; he would seek orno other.

"Mr. Robinson, finding matters brought to the last extremity, determined to attempt what the mode of expostulation would operate. He therefore began with telling the King, that if all method of negotiation was to cease, he greatly feared and apprehended, on some grounds, that in the last ex- tremity the allies of the house of Austria would exert their utmost powers for its support. The seeds of passion had been operating in the King's breast on the unsatisfactory conversation he had already undergone. Count Podewills, who knew him, perceived that he artfully suppressed them from expanding ; but on hearing this reflection from Mr. Robinson, they burst forth with great vivacity. Interrupting him at once, and raising his finger to the side of his nose, moving it with some agitation, he said, Ne menaces pas, Mon- sieur.'

"Mr. Robinson, with great modesty, replied, I do not threaten your Majesty ; I merely intended to mention that the very nature and situation of things and the bands of solemn engagements must naturally produce.' The King seemed to calm, and more moderately asked, Who are, then, these allies ? ' The other answered, 'The Russians.' His Majesty answered him short again, and said—' As to the Russians, I have taken care of them, in a manner I cannot explain : as for the King of Poland, he is not in a condition to stir: and the King of England is my relation and my all (mon tout)—if he doth not attack me I shall not certainly attack him ; if he begins, Prince Anhalt will take care on that side. [An allusion to Hanover.] But in the end,' said he 'what securities shall I have for the quiet and permanent pos- session of these countries they offer use?' "'The King of Great Britain, Russia, Saxony, and the States General,' Mr. Robinson answered, will enter into solemn guarantees.' "'Guarantees,' replied the King, 'are now-a-days dwindled to nothing more than waste paper. Are not France, the King of England, and almost all the other powers of Europe, guarantees of the Pragmatic Sanction ? pray why do you not all fly to its assistance ?—(Pourquoi no volez vous pas a son secours.) ' "Lord Hyndford, who had as much of the King's confidence to serve his Majesty's own purpose as his natural diffidence and jealousy would permit, knew perhaps, from Podewills, that his master's object was Silesia ; his Lord- ship, therefore, ventured to throw out that possibly the King his master would endeavour to obtain for him the Principality of Glogau annexed to the preceding offer. This the Monarch highly rejected, and, with his air of disdain and vivacity, declared that since the Court of Vienna had rejected his first proposal he totally revoked it also, and that as matters were he would have nothing less than Lower Silesia, the town of Breslau included. He then told Mr. Robinson to write to Vienna his final resolutions, or to carry them as such with him.

"To bring the matter to a closer negotiation, and more specific, Mr. Robinson desired his Majesty to suffer that the proposals he had made might be written down, and that his Minister should add his last demand. The King could not contain his passion any longer, but answered with some agitation, am tired of ultimatums; I have told you my ultimatum ; carry it back to Vienna.' Your Majesty,' replied Mr. Robinson, will have all Lower Silesia, the town of Breslau included.' 'Yes, I will,' the King answered ; 'and if they postpone the giving them six weeks longer, I shall add four more Duchies.'

"After this peremptory declaration, he stepped abruptly into the other room of his tent, as Count Podewills and Lord Ilyndford agreed, to allay his agitation of mind, and to stifle his passion."

In April 1742 Porter was recalled; apparently to return with the views of Granville and the King, which were tolerated by Pelham and his brother Newcastle; but the instructions were in such a form, being without signature, and no copy to be given to the Austrian Ministers, that Porter doubted the prudence of un- dertaking the task, since he might be left in the lurch. Before it came to this point, however, Porter had determined on abandoning diplomacy, on account of our " pretences and evasions," and want of " resolution and vigour." Lord Granville finally overcame that determination by a personal appeal. Before this conclusion, he had sent Porter to Newcastle ; of whom a picture is here presented, which shows Smollet's sketch to have been hardly a caricature.

"My visit was as welcome to his Grace as Lord Granville had foretold. He received with embraces ; chocolate was ready, and he as ready to persuade and conjure me to accept of his Majesty's offer and to return to Vienna. He thought I stood on bargaining, offered me any price I should name, as Lord Granville had done, repeated honours, emoluments, &e. I as constantly and firmly declined. His main reason then turned on Mr. Robinson's love and affection for me ; that it was brotherly, that he could not live without me ; and then the use I should be to his Majesty and the nation!' That they had business of the utmost consequence they would confide to nobody but me and Mr. Robinson ; and that the King had said that business could not succeed but in our hands, and, he could tell me confidentially, particularly in mine.

" I took this Court language as a line and threw the bait aside. But I resumed my discourse with him on another principle, I fairly told him, I wanted neither honours nor emoluments; if I should go, I desired it might be on the same footing : I had as much of the King's pay as my station re- quired; and there had never been a competition or the least discord between Mr. Robinson and me. I wanted no honours which might interfere with his : that though I had made my plan to stay at home, I would offer a con- dition or two to his Grace on which alone I could return. That as he kuow Mr. Robinson's affection for me, mine was not less towards him: though I did not know any particular relation or connexion between his Grace aucl Mr. Robinson, yet I thought there was some such existing with his brother, Mr. Pelham, whom I had not the honour of knowing personally : but be that as it may, his Grace knew Mr. Robinson was a younger brother with a small fortune, and then married, with a growing family ; that he had never hoarded riches, never had been in the way of exceeding mere living ; 'his services had been long and great ; and that even in that important eveut of the peace with Prussia, in which I had some share, he had borne the whole burden; that Lord Ilyndford, who had no further trouble than to give what he with odium and irremissible labour obtained, had been distinguish- ed and superabundantly rewarded; that, therefore, if his Grace could ob- tain of his Majesty a thousand pounds a year augmentation for Mr. Robin- son, I could perhaps return with such good tidings, and sacrifice my interest and time to the King's service during the continuance of the war. "The Duke seemed startled at this proposal, and, looking in amaze, said he durst not even propose it to his Majesty; that, on the treaty of 1731, Mr. Robinson had been advanced from Envoy Extraordinary to Minister Pleni- potentiary, and had then the increased pay of 3/. per diem; so that it was too near the time, i.e. eleven years, to mention so delicate a matter to the King. I then pressed him to know whether his merit in the late peace with Prussia, in which both his body and mind had suffered the severest risks and anxieties, would not be rewarded in some solid and substantial manner that it was the moment for a faithful zealous servant to feel his master's bounty and generosity. He said, he had thought that as Mr. Robinson had formerly desired the Red Riband, it might be the more agreeable to him on this oc- dasion, and that that ostensible mark Of the King's favour would be a more permanent one of his Majesty's approbation.

"I spoke of the Riband with such indifference that surprised his Grace. I told him, that when mature minds sought rewards, baubles and gewgaws were not competent: they might please the vanity and levity of youth, and, perhaps, when he thought that the brilliancy of a star and garter might add to the lustre of a single man, he at that time might have been flattered with the splendour ; but now that he had a wife and several young children, the providing for these made up the essential part of his happiness, and for them it was I meant a solid, substantial reward.

"Finding, however, that all this reasoning had no weight with the Duke, I turned the matter on what I thought more feasible, and in itself just and reasonable : I told him that as I knew Mr. Robinson's desire, on account of the education of his children, was turned towards home, and that, whenever a general peace should happen, he would seek to return at any rate ; if, therefore, his Grace would intercede with the King to give him any post or place, or even to secure him one before his arrival, whenever that should happem.the reward would be equally agreeable to that which I had firet proposed.

"The Duke on this point stroked his face, settled his wig, hesitated, and asked me with a slow voice, stooping towards my ear, Has he a borough? can he get into Parliament? I told him, I knew of no borough, no interest which could bring him into Parliament, but his Grace's : on which I rose up, took my leave abruptly, with this single remark, that I supposed, after twenty years' service, the same question would be put to me ; and on such a vague prospect I was confirmed in my first resolution of staying at home. His Grace followed me, on my retreat, begging and entreating me to return into his closet ; which I absolutely refused.

"I left him, I confess, with indignation; and, to disburden my mind of the impressions of so discouraging and unsatisfactory a conversation, I im- mediately went to Lord Granville, who judged by my countenance the effects of my conference with the Duke. He received me with his esual smile, inclined to a laugh—brought me to a detail of the whole : the singularity of the nego- tiation not only amused him exceedingly, but heightened his spirits to much

i mirth. I found, however, by h Lordship's asking what the Duke would say to the King? that I had the interview by his Majesty's command."

The following is curious in various ways ; illustrating the irre- gularity of public payments a century ago, the pride not to say "the insolence of office" at the Treasury, and the memory of George the Second.

"Before my departure, Lord Granville asked me whether I had any ar- rears due ? I told him I had nearly a year's ; on which he spontaneously said he would speak to the Xing and obtain his order for payment. A few days after, I dined at Mr. Gore's, with Lord Wilmington, then First Coal- missioner of the Treasury : I found he looked upon me with an air of in- difference ; but, changing countenance, he took me aside after dinner, and asked me whether I had not spoken to the King about my arrears ?

"I told him I had not. Who had ? for he had received his Majesty' orders, through Lord Granville, to pay them : but I should know that they of the Treasury were proud fellows, and expected the first application to them. I explained him the case ; upon which he invited me to breakfast with hins the next morning. He told me the King had spoken of me with regard to it, but had asked him whether, on my first departure, near fosse' years past, he had not given me 600/. for my journey—Lord Wilmington was not then in that post ; he did not remember, or never knew it. I tbld him be had, but I had only that sum from his Majesty for subsistence till near two years alter; which, indeed, had been my own fault, for I declined having a fixed appointment with my first credentials until I could see a pros- pect of success. The good Lord added, 'You see what a post I hold, and how exact we must be when we have a King to deal with who can remember such a sum so long time ago.' "