Turks, give an additional attractiveness and value to his volumes. His learning is as accurate as it is varied; his honesty and candour are unquestioned; and his history is certainly one of the best productions of the first half of our century. This great work has never been translated into English. Its length has probably caused it to be thus neglected, while the historical productions of other German writers, though of less merit, have been eagerly translated and extensively read in this country. The first edition of Von Hammer (published at Pesth) consists of ten thick closely printed volumes. The second and smaller edition occupies four, each of which would, if literally translated, make at least four books of the size of that which now is laid before the reader. This second edition omits the notes and observations, many of which are highly instructive and valuable. And Von Hammer does not bring the Turkish history lower down than to the treaty of Kainardji, 1774. A translation of his entire work, with a continuation of equal copiousness, would make up at least twenty octavo volumes, such as are usually printed in this country. Both writers and publishers have evidently feared that such a work would lack readers among our busy and practical population. I have not made a mere abridgment of Von Hammer, but I have sought to write an independent work, for which his volumes have supplied me with the largest store of materials. In using them I have arranged, and amplified, and omitted, and added at discretion. Where I have adopted his comments and opinions, I have generally referred to him as their author. My intention was always to do so, but there may be instances where this has been omitted. This work will be completed in two volumes. I fully trust to lay the last volume before the public in the first month of the coming year. I am chiefly indebted for the maps and plans to the Atlas prepared by M. Hellert, the French translator of Von Hammer. The references to the pages of Von Hammer, in the notes, apply to the second edition of the German. 2, MITRE COURT CHAMBERS, TEMPLE, November 7, 1854. CONTENTS. First appearance and exploits of the Ottoman Turks under Ertoghrul in Asia Minor-Their Settlement at Sultan-ceni-Reign of Othman I.— Accession of Orchan-His Vizier Alaeddin's legislation-The Janissaries Amurath I.-Capture of Adrianople-Battle of the Marizza-Conquests in Europe and Asia-Victory of Kossova-Death of Amurath- Bajazet's accession-Conquests-Depravity of Manners-Victory of Interregnum and Civil War-Mahomet I. reunites the Empire-His suc cessful reign-His death and character-Accession of Amurath II. -Siege of Constantinople - Civil war in Asia-Wars with the Servians, Hungarians, and other nations-Victories of Hunyades -Treaty of Szegeddin - Broken by the Christians - Battle of Reign and character of Mahomet II.-Siege and conquest of Constanti- nople Further conquests in Europe and Asia-Repulse before Belgrade-Conquest of the Crimea-Unsuccessful attack on Rhodes Institutes of Mahomet II.-Turkish Government-Armies-Tenures of Bajazet II.-Prince Djem-Civil war-Adventures and death of Djem in Christendom - First war with Egypt - Bajazet dethroned by his Selim I. His character-Massacre of the Shiis-War with Persia-Con- quests in Upper Asia-War with the Mamelukes-Conquest of Siege of Sigeth-Death of Solyman-Extent of the Empire under Selim II. His degeneracy-Peace with Austria-First conflict between Amurath III.-Rapid decline of the Empire-Conquests from Persia- Progress of corruption and military insubordination-War with Austria-Mahomet III.-Battle of Cerestes-Achmet I.-Peace of Sitvatorok-Unsuccessful wars with Persia-Revolts-Mustapha I. deposed-Othman I.—Violence of the troops-Othman murdered- Misery of the Empire at the accession of Amurath IV.-Military revolts |