The last letters from Constantinople (25th April) describe the Sultan
as using every exertion in order to put down the insurrec- tion that lately broke out with such threatening symptoms in Albania. An army of 30,000 men, with a formidable train of ar- tillery, had assembled at Adrianople ; and a considerable fleet had sailed for the coast of Albania, in order to blockade the ports of the rebels. The only danger apprehended was the defection of the royal troops. Numerous desertions had taken place ; and it was feared when they came in sight of the enemy, the desertions would increase. The lukewarmness of the Sultan's servants is attributed to the still remembered and deeply resented measure of abolishing the. Janissaries. It is not, however, very easy to see how this feel- ing should extend to the soldiers who succeeded them, and who, in the possible event of the restoration of that powerful order, would be the first sufferers. The hot, we believe, is, that in every case where a Turkish army has assembled in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, desertions have taken place to as great an extent as they have on this. The laxity of discipline in the Turkish troops is noticed by all travellers. It ought to be added, that the Sultan is now combatting an enemy who acknowledge no discipline what. ever ; so that, with all the irregularity of his forces, he still fights at an advantage.
