to quitting the country, the Grand Vizier promulgated an amnesty to all those refugees who had fled into Austria, except Hussein Kapetan, Ali Vidaitch, and Kruppa Kapetan.  A firman was subsequently given, permitting even these to return to Turkey, although interdicting their residence in Bosnia.  On arriving at Constantinople they received their pardon, and Ali Vidaitch returned to Bosnia; Hussein’s fate is more uncertain.  From that time until 1849 order prevailed in Bosnia, although, as subsequent events proved, a rebellious spirit still existed amongst the more important chieftains, with whom personal aggrandisement took precedence of the interests of the Sultan, their sovereign.

[Footnote M:  Krasinski.]

CHAPTER IX.

Hussein Pacha—­Tahir Pacha—­Polish and Hungarian Rebellions—­Extends to Southern Slaves—­Congress convened—­Montenegrins overrun Herzegovina—­Arrival of Omer Pacha—­Elements of Discord—­Rising in Bulgaria put down by Spahis—­Refugees—­Ali Rizvan Begovitch—­Fall of Mostar, and Capture of Ali—­His suspicious Death—­Cavass Bashee—­Anecdote of Lame Christian—­Omer Pacha invades Montenegro—­Successes—­Austria interferes—­Mission of General Leiningen—­Battle of Grahovo—­Change of Frontier—­Faults of new Boundary.

And so time wore on, and Bosnia enjoyed a kind of fitful repose.  There and in Herzegovina the feudal system had lost much of its primeval vigour, although a barbarous independence still prevailed, more especially in the latter province, where Ali Aga of Stolatz showed symptoms of forsaking the treacherous fidelity which had secured for him his high position.  Whatever feeling of disaffection might have been cherished, either in Bulgaria or Bosnia, was effectually checked:  in the former by the judicious tyranny of Hussein, Vizier of Widdin, in the latter by the iron yoke of Tahir Pacha, who fully entered into the Sultan’s projects for reform.

The social condition of these two provinces rendered necessary a certain variety in the policy of their rulers.  Thus, while Hussein may be regarded as the apostle of political Islamism in Europe, Tahir endeavoured to introduce the European element.  He consequently identified himself, to a dangerous extent, with the Christian population, abolishing forced labour, equalising the taxes, and effecting other reforms calculated to upset the old, and establish the Nisame Jedid, or new order of things.

At this juncture the flames of revolutionary war broke forth in Poland and Hungary.  The proximity of these countries, and the affinity of their Slavonic origin, could not fail to disseminate the same spirit on the southern bank of the Save.  A wild enthusiasm took possession of both Serbs[N] and Bulgares, before which the aged and decrepid Viziers felt themselves powerless.