umor makes the most of the sharp and strange contrasts of Oriental
life and society. The hero of the strange and terrible drama, or,
rather, series of dramas, unfolded with such spirit, skill, and
vividness in _Janicsarok vegnapjai_, is Ali Pasha of Janina,
certainly one of the most brilliant, picturesque, and, it must be
added, capable ruffians that even Turkish history can produce.
Manifold and monstrous as were Ali's crimes, his astonishing ability
and splendid courage lend a sort of savage sublimity even to his
blood-stained career, and, indeed, the dogged valor with which the
octogenarian warrior defended himself at the last in his stronghold
against the whole might of the Ottoman Empire is almost without a
parallel in history.

With such a hero, it is evident that the book must abound in stirring
and even tremendous scenes; but, though primarily a novel of incident,
it contains not a few fine studies of Oriental character, both Turkish
and Greek, by an absolutely impartial observer, who can detect the
worth of the Osmanli in the midst of his apathy and brutality, and
who, although sympathetically inclined towards the Hellenes, is by no
means blind to their craft and double-dealing, happily satirized in
the comic character of Leonidas Argyrocantharides.

Finally, I have taken the liberty to alter the title of the story.
_Janicsarok vegnapjai_ (_The Last Days of the Janissaries_) is too
glaringly inapt to pass muster, inasmuch as the rebellion and
annihilation of that dangerous corps is a mere inessential episode at
the end of the story. I have, therefore, given the place of honor on
the title-page to Ali Pasha--the Lion of Janina.

I have added a glossary of the Turkish words used by the author in
these pages.

R. NISBET BAIN.

Contents

Chapter Page
I. THE CAVERNS OF SELEUCIA 1
II. EMINAH 19
III. A TURKISH PARADISE 45
IV. GASKHO BEY 62
V. A MAN IN THE MIDST OF DANGERS 72
VI. THE LION IN THE FOX'S SKIN 78
VII. THE ALBANIAN FAMILY 105
VIII. THE PEN OF MAHMOUD 110
IX. THE CIRCASSIAN AND HIS FAMILY 129
X. THE AVENGER