erly the barrier of Hungary. It
was first taken by Solyman the Magnificent, and since by the
emperor's forces, led by the elector of Bavaria. The emperor held it
only two Years, it being retaken by the grand vizier. It is now
fortified with the utmost care and skill the Turks are capable of,
and strengthened by a very numerous garrison of their bravest
janizaries, commanded by a bassa seraskier (i.e. general) though this
last expression is not very just; for, to say truth, the seraskier is
commanded by the janizaries. These troops have an absolute authority
here, and their conduct carries much more the aspect of rebellion,
than the appearance of subordination. You may judge of this by the
following story, which, at the same time, will give you an idea of
the _admirable_ intelligence of the governor of Peterwaradin, though
so few hours distant. We were told by him at Peterwaradin, that the
garrison and inhabitants of Belgrade were so weary of the war, they
had killed their bassa about two months ago, in a mutiny, because he
had suffered himself to be prevailed upon, by a bribe of five purses
(five hundred pounds sterling) to give permission to the Tartars to
ravage the German frontiers. We were very well pleased to hear of
such favourable dispositions in the people; but when we came hither,
we found the governor had been ill-informed, and the real truth of
the story to be this. The late bassa fell under the displeasure of
his soldiers; for no other reason, but restraining their incursions
on the Germans. They took it into their heads, from that mildness,
that he had intelligence with the enemy, and sent such information to
the grand signior at Adrianople; but, redress not coming quick enough
from thence, they assembled themselves in a tumultuous manner, and by
force dragged their bassa before the cadi and mufti, and there
demanded justice in a mutinous way; one crying out, Why he protected
the infidels? Another, Why he squeezed them of their money? The
bassa easily guessing their purpose, calmly replied to them, that
they asked him too many questions, and that he had but one life,
which must answer for all. They then immediately fell upon him with
their scimitars (without waiting the sentence of their heads of the
law) and in a few moments cut him in pieces. The present bassa has
not dared to punish the murder; on the contrary, he affected to
applaud the actors of it, as brave fellows, that knew to do
themse