- Many of their armies passed through Constantinople, which as already stated was the only great and important city, that escaped the ravages of the northern and eastern invaders, and descended, unimpaired, through the dark ages.

In the year 1204; one of the most memorable in the times of the holy wars, an event took place of considerable consequence to the west of Europe. This was about the year of the fourth crusade: and was productive of some very important consequences. Constantinople had long been the seat of civil wars, conspiracies, and revolutions. An army of French and Venitians now beseiged and took it, and placed Baldwin, earl of Flanders, on the throne of the Greek empire. The family of Baldwin held their empty title for nearly 60 years, when it was wrested from them by the Greek emperors of Nice.

This will account for the fact that Flanders and the adjacent countries led the way in the revival of letters. Constantinople, it is probable, contained the most valuable and precious remains of antiquity which had been there collected by the great Constantine and his successors. The enterprise of the crusaders spread over Europe whatever information they gained in their travels; and, as Constantinople was their place of general rendezvous, the light, refinement, and science derived from thence, were, in the course of two centuries, during which the crusades lasted, diffused through Europe.

In fine, the crusades gave a general concussion to the public mind, which for ever shook off the tyranny of many barbarous customs; and broke the long and deadly slumbers of ignorance, whose narcotic influence on men's minds is always in proportion to its nature and extent. By promoting national and social intercourse, they tended powerfully to melt away the prejudices and assimilate the minds of men. As they had an union of object, they would naturally impress the mind, with a sense of the power, practicability, and good policy of combinations and extensive alliances. As they passed through countries far more cultivated, more enterprising, and more opulent than their own, they could not but draw instructive comparisons; and must naturally wish to imitate those whose wisdom and industry had secured to them prosperity and power. By all these means the eyes of mankind were opened, and many nations of the earth received, at the same time, important lessons of instruction-the genius of Europe was roused and stood ready to explore the avenues of knowledge, and to trace the intricate paths which lead to more extensive fields of light and improvement.

ABOUT the beginning of the 13th century, a new power arose, which first made head in Asia, and at length became the terror of all Europe. We have spoken particularly, in the former part of this compend, of the irruptions of the Scythians from the interior parts of Asia. A warlike tribe, sprung from this prolific fountain, had for some time infested the countries of western Asia, and at length were established in Bithynia. Othoman appeared at their head, and laid the foundation of a dynasty of most warlike and powerful princes. He flourished about the year 1229. In no part of the annals of history do we find a braver, more politic, or fortunate race of monarchs than that of Othoman, or Othman. They seldom failed to unite bravery with prudence, or good fortune with enterprise. In Asia and Africa their conquests were coextensive with the empire of Rome; nor would they have fallen short in Europe but for the intervention of unexpected causes.

Othoman was succeeded by his son Orchanes-he by Amurath I, and he by Bajazet I. Amurath led a great army over the Hellespont, and invaded Europe. After making various conquests, he fixed the seat of his empire at Adrianople. Amurath established the janizaries---perhaps the most powerful and efficient corps---the most perfectly trained to the art of war, and the ablest and most to be relied on in the day of battle, of any ever known. In the history of the Turks, it is remarkable that, for several centuries, the succeeding monarch outdid his predecessor. The son generally excelled the father in energy, policy, grandeur of schemes, and felicity of execution. This remark will in a good measure apply, till the reign of Solyman the Magnificent, who raised the Turkish empire to its zenith of glory. It was not so with the emperors of Rome, but generally the reverse.

Bajazet, the son of Amurath, was a very great general. He was impetuous as a thunderbolt, yet of cool and thoughtful cou

rage. He possessed the craft and policy of negotiation, together with the powers of compulsion. The Turkish armies in his time were distinguished for their numbers and discipline. Bajazet generally commanded from three to five hundred thousand men; but the flower of his army was 50,000 janizaries. With such a force no power in Europe could have resisted him; and he had matured every plan for extinguishing the Greek empire in the capture of Constantinople. But providence had raised up a power, before which this haughty conqueror must fall, in the midst of his pride, prosperity and glory.

Tamerlane was, by inheritance, prince of a Tartar clan; but nature had endowed him with a mind capable of forming and executing the grandest enterprises. He early showed that superiority in council and in action, which raised him to the high station of cham of the Usbeck Tartars. His capital was Samarchand. He soon, by the wisdom and energy of his administrators, drew to his standard innumerable Tartar tribes, and saw himself at the head of the empire of Ghenghis Khan. Inflamed by the glory of that great conqueror, he invaded and subdued India, extending his empire to the eastern ocean. From the conquest of India he had just returned, enriched with spoils of immense value, when ambassadors arrived at his court from the emperor of Constantinople, whose capital was now besieged, and from various other christian princes already expelled from their dominions. These ambassadors implored the aid of Tamerlane against the haughty Turk, who threatened the conquest of all Europe.

The mighty Tartar immediately dispatched a herald to Bajazet, desiring to know the reasons of his conduct, and offering to mediate between him and the Greek emperor. Bajazet, whom no power could intimidate, returned a haughty and indignant answer; upon which Tamerlane marched against him, it is commonly said, at the head of a million of men. All Europe stood paralized for a moment at the expected shock; and dreading every thing if the Turks should prevail. They came to a general battle on the plains of Pharsalia, the very same place where, many ages before, Pompey had defeated Mithridates, and where Cæsar and Pompey had decided their contest for the empire of the world.-.Perhaps a greater battle has not been fought in modern times. Each army was drawn up in the most consummate manner, according to the tactics of the times. Fifty thousand janizaries, in a solid column, occupied the center of the Turkish army, at the head of which Bajazet fought on foot.

Tamerlane, in the morning, drew up the flower of his immense force, under the command of his ablest officers; and directed them to commence the action, whilst he looked on as a spectator, and stood ready to send necessary reinforcements from time to time. He had previously announced to Bajazet that he might expect to meet him in battle when he should see the green flag displayed.

The first shock was tremendous, and the ensuing conflict truly dreadful. The Tartar lords reminded their soldiers of the glory of Ghengis Khan and of the conquest of India.

Long time in even scale the battle hung."

At length, however, the wings of the Turkish army began to give way-borne down by the almost infinite force of the Tartar cavalry and infantry, who fought with astonishing rage and fury. Tamerlane, perceiving the moment of advantage, dispatched ten thousand horse and as many foot, to sustain the wasting ardour of the battle.

The Turkish army were generally defeated, dispersed, or cut to pieces, except the janizaries, who, animated by the presence and example of their gallant monarch, seemed to defy all mortal prowess: they stood firm like a rock, which, unmoved, sustains the surging billows. This formidable force, composed of troops of known superiority, and led by the Turkish sultan, who fought with prodigious valour, still held the fortune of the field doubtful--when Tamerlane was seen advancing under the green flag, at the head of 50,000 chosen cavalry, the splendid guards of the conqueror of the east. At that moment the battle was renewed, and the janizaries, now nearly surrounded, fought with amazing bravery around the person of their king. But they were overwhelmed as with an irresistible torrent; and Bajazet, contrary to his own determination, was taken alive, with many of his guards. It is related by some historians, that Tamerlane demanded of Bajazet, when brought before him, what he would have done with him, provided fortune had declared in his favour? The captive monarch sternly and haughtily replied, "I would have put you in an iron cage, and carried you for a show all over my kingdom." "The same," said Tamerlane, "shall be done to yourself;"-and, it was accordingly done without delay.

Tamerlane, having rescued the Greek emperor, and freed Europe from immediate danger, by humbling the Turkish power, returned into Asia; and, subduing Syria and Palestine, proceeded to Egypt and Persia, returning after a period of eight years to Samarchand, through the middle countries of Asia. He is repreVol. II. C

mild and amiable temper. He was adored and almost deified by his subjects. His reign was long and prosperous, and his dominions are thought to have been nearly as extensive as those of Russia, comprehending a considerable portion of the known world. The emperor of Hindostan claims direct descent from Tamerlane, whose lineal descendants also led the Tartars in the conquest of China. They, of consequence, now possess the thrones of China and India, and govern a third part of the human species. The Tartars interfered no more with the Ottoman Turks, but left them gradually to recover from so deep a wound. Nor were the christian princes able to avail themselves of this favourable opportunity to complete the ruin of so formidable a foe. Solyman I, the son and successor of Bajazet, derived courage and fortitude from his father's misfortune; and, collecting the shattered remains of his forces, soon appeared at the head of an army which was able to keep the field. So severe a check of the Turks, however, protracted the capture of Constantinople for near a century. Solyman was succeeded by Mahomet I-he by Amurath II-and he by Mahomet the Great. This prince took Constantinople in the year 1453, which was followed by the subjugation of all Greece. The Turks, under the succeeding reigns, became the most formidable power in Europe, till, in the reign of Solyman the Magnificent, A. D. 1526, after subduing Hungary, and carrying off 200,000 prisoners, that great prince advanced into Austria, and laid siege to Vienna. But on the approach of Charles V, at the head of a great army, he raised the siege, and retired into his own dominions, doubtless remembering the fate of Bajazet. This, however, carries us beyond the period, which was to be the subject of the present chapter.

As the brevity of this compend will not allow us to enter again particularly on the Turkish history-before we dismiss that article, it will be proper to state a few things which do not properly belong to this chapter. There was probably never a race of monarchs of equal abilities for war with the Ottoman race, as far as to the reign of Solyman the Magnificent. They were certainly great in the art of governing a turbulent and licentious race of men, as well at home, or in times of peace, as in the field of battle. And, what is matter of the highest admiration, every succeeding reign seemed to eclipse the former, and the deeds of the father were forgotten in the superior exploits of the son. Mahomet the Great, who took Constantinople, is universally llowed to have been a most politic and accomplished prince, as