The Austrian Ministers declare themselves highly satisfied with their progress
in Bosnia. Order, they say, has been re- stored, the most complete religious equality has been esta- blished, and the frightful system of farming the taxes, and- especially the tithe or produce-tax, which enabled every Turkish collector to use soldiers for his own profit, has been totally abolished. The taxes are collected by State officers, usually Bosnians or Austrians, the Turks having departed ; and oppression having ceased, the revenues come in so regularly, that the Ministry ask nothing for Bosnia for 1880. The agra- rian question is not settled, but disputes are diminished by in- sisting on contracts in writing, and of course by the absence of Pashas, who always sided with the rich. A great deal, of course, remains to be done, but it is a most significant fact that the mere departure of the Turks and the presence of commonly just officials have restored the Bosnian Treasury. The Minis- try are enthusiastic on the capabilities of the province, which, indeed, is, after Lombardo-Venetia, perhaps the richest by nature of all the States the Hapsburgs have yet gained. We' trust it will ultimately become a self-governing appanage of the reigning House, and thus be enabled to join the Federa- tion of the Balkans.
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