The material of the existing force is about on an equality with that of most continental armies.  A portion of the troops are armed with rifles, and the remainder with unbrowned muskets.  One battery of artillery forms the aggregate of that arm of the service.  There are 70 guns at the arsenal at Kragiewatz, but they are all old and unfit for field service.  A French Colonel has lately been imported to fill the combined offices of War-Minister and Commander-in-Chief.  This, and, indeed, the whole of the recent internal policy, leaves very little doubt of the source whence emanate these high-flown ideas.  It cannot be better expressed than as a politique d’ostentation, which is, if we may compare small things with great, eminently French.  The oscillation of French and Russian influence, and the amicable manner in which their delegates relinquish the field to each other alternately, implies the existence of a mutual understanding between them.  Whether this accord extends to a wider sphere and more momentous questions, time alone will show.  Meanwhile, the Prince continues to indulge in dreams of a Panslavish kingdom, and of the crumbs which may fall to his own share, while he neglects the true interests of his country, with which his own are so intimately blended.  Let him apply himself to the developement of her internal resources, to the promotion of education and civilisation among the people, and, above all, let him root out that spirit of indolence which has taken such firm hold upon all classes.  It is his policy to do all this, that Servia may be in a position to assume that leading place among the Slavonic races which she arrogates to herself, should unforeseen circumstances call upon her to do so.  With her he must stand or fall; therefore, setting aside more patriotic motives, self-interest renders it imperative on him to apply himself zealously to her regeneration.

With regard to his foreign policy, he cannot do better than act up to the conviction which he has himself more than once expressed, that ’the interests of Servia are identical with those of Turkey.’  For, should the disruption of the Ottoman empire take place—­the probability of which is at any rate no greater than in the time of our grandfathers—­it will not be effected by internal revolution, but by foreign intervention; and credulous must he be who can believe in the disinterestedness of those who would lend themselves to such a measure.  Thus, in the partition which would ensue, Servia might find even her former independence overlooked.

Let me add, that if I have alluded in strong terms to the condition of the people, I have done it in all sincerity, regretting that Servia should thus cast away the sympathy which, were she bent on self-advancement, would pour in upon her from every side.  If, again, I may appear presumptuous in dictating the duties which devolve upon her Prince, I am prompted to it by the supineness which he has as yet evinced in promoting the desire for civilisation.  Let him delay no longer, for, should events so dispose themselves that Servia should be weighed in the balance, she will, unless an amendment takes place, be indeed found miserably wanting.