important fortresses of Bania-Louka, Livno, Skopia and several others; in short, they held military occupation of the country, with the exception of the Pachaliks of Novi-bazar and Svornik, whose Pachas, with great political prudence, remained neutral, till a battle, which was hourly expected, should decide the fate of Bosnia.

Aware of the preparations of the Vizier, the insurgents, with their usual imprudence, despising alike the Vizier, the Nizam and their Christian allies took no precautions to guard the passes leading to the adjoining provinces, through which the indefatigable Vizier received supplies of additional troops, ammunition, and even artillery. Believing themselves certain of success, they tumultuously marched, to the number of twentyfive thousand; and having taken up a position on the plain of Vitesch, within sight of the Vizier's camp on the mountains, dared him to the combat.

The subtle Vizier, aware of the character of the enemy he had to deal with, felt certain that so many gallant chiefs could not long remain confined to their tents without quarrelling among themselves. Voussin Bey, who was in reality the hero of Bosnia, had for his rivals the powerful Beys, Hamsa and Hussein, who, full of their own important services, would not consent that the Zmai od Bosna should rule the land, and retired from the field with several thousands of their followers to defend their own separate beglouks.

The Vizier, who through the instrumentality of his agents, was perfectly aware of every incident that took place in the camp, felt that the moment was come when he must give up the enterprize altogether, or strike a blow which offered every chance of success. After a few encouraging words to his faithful tacticoes, and promises of protection to the assembled multitude of Rayahs, the whole mass of warriors, with a terrific shout, descended like an avalanche upon the insurgents. The battle must have been terrific, since the piesmas of the Christians record that the rebels were completely routed, with the loss of a thousand men-a victory unparalleled in the annals of a Bosnian insurrection.

This engagement destroyed the last hope of the Slavo-Mussulmans-its influence was felt in Albania, and every part of European Turkey: the whole of the strong places in Bosnia surrendered to the Vizier, who, supported by the Christian population, became absolute master of the entire country. The vengeance of the stern conqueror was awfully severe— the Moullah and the Bey, the Cadi and the Spahi were alike decapitated, or sent in chains to Constantinople, as trophies of his victory; and he received, in return, the public thanks of the Divan, and a sword, richly ornamented with brilliants, from the Sultan.

The plunder of Bosna-Serai, the richest town in European Turkey, together with many other SlavoMussulman towns and konaks, belonging to the wealthy

chieftains of Bosnia, which fell to the share of the Vizier, rendered him one of the richest subjects of the Porte; he, however, afterwards proved to be a just and conscientious ruler, and not only the Mussulman, but the Christian, had every reason to be satisfied with his government.

In a country like Turkey, where the government is weak, and suspicious of the popularity of its high officials, reports had been circulated, and found their way into the councils of the Divan, that the Vizier was ambitious of erecting for himself an independent principality in Bosnia. The circumstance of his being beloved by the army, and the whole Christian population, who still entertain for his name the most reverential gratitude, was sufficient to justify his removal. The Divan, however, did not feel itself strong enough to recal a man so universally popular, in the ordinary way; the task was, therefore, secretly confided to Hosref, the Pacha of Belgrade, and accomplished with the usual amount of treachery and low-cunning, that so often distinguishes the policy of the Ottoman Porte and its agents, on similar occasions.

The Pacha of Belgrade and the Vizier of Bosnia, being neighbours, were on terms of the most friendly intimacy, a visit of several days from one to the other was, of course, no uncommon occurrence, and the unsuspecting Vizier, unconscious of the approaching storm, saw nothing to apprehend when the

fortified residence at with the usual demonThe day was spent in

perfidious Pacha came to his Travnik, where he was received strations of a hearty welcome. feasting and reviewing the troops, and when the two dignitaries separated for the night, the poor Vizier was but little aware, when he retreated to his harem, that a council was about to be assembled in his own residence, composed of the civil and military officers of his household, to deliberate as to how, and by what means, the lion they all feared might best be secured in his den.

However, state criminals are quickly disposed of in Turkey, and without much regard to the feelings of any man, of whatever rank or consideration, who may have lost favour at head-quarters Amidst the lamentations of the ladies of his harem, and the servants of his household, the Vizier was denounced as a traitor, spat upon as a Giaour, manacled as a felon, and hurried off in the dead hour of the night to appear before the Divan at Stamboul, together with his papers and personal wealth, which is said to have been enormous. the meantime, Hosref, the Pacha of Belgrade, who had succeeded so admirably in carrying into execution the commission confided to him, was rewarded by being nominated to the vacant post, and became the Vizier of Bosnia.

In

The real causes that led to the disgrace of the Vizier Vehighi were never publicly known. As a traveller, I was much indebted to the kindness of the Vizier, on a

previous visit to Bosnia; and having had many opportunities of witnessing how wisely and humanely he had wielded power, and the numerous improvements he had effected in the country, his fate to me was deeply interesting. The people appeared to be content and prosperous; and although divided in faith, they were beginning to understand that they were of the same race, and linked by the same ties of language, tradition and country; when the Vizier, whether justly or unjustly, fell a victim to the machinations of his enemies.

In a political point of view, the destruction of the Slavo-Mussulman aristocracy, and the elevation of the Rayah to social rights, placed the centralization of power in the hands of the Divan, and might have been productive of great advantage to a government who knew how to avail itself of the circumstance; but, unfortunately for the peace of Bosnia, the Divan, still pursuing its old system of governing by means of the religious dissensions of the people, alarmed at the strength and numbers of the Rayah population, who now, conscious of their power, might be tempted to declare themselves independent, like their brethren of Servia, resolved to establish an equilibrium of interests by supporting the Slavo-Mussulman party, and receiving them again into high favour. To further this object, the rebel chiefs, who had taken refuge in AustrianDalmatia and Croatia, on the failure of the late insurrection, were pardoned, and in many instances reinstated