Page:Adventures of Baron Wenceslas Wratislaw of Mitrowitz (1862).djvu/103



HESE three pashas, and many others, as well as various Turkish oflicials, whether afterwards converted to the Turkish religion, although the children of Christian parents, and although many of them had lived a consider able time in the Christian faith, are, nevertheless, not over-kindly disposed towards Christians. And it is matter of wonder that they have arrived at such great dignity; for they regulate the whole dominions of the Turkish emperor, containing numerous kingdoms and princedoms, and govern them by their wisdom and understanding, on which depend the whole management of the lands of the Turkish emperor. As long as any one of them lives, so long does he remain in honour; but when he dies, everything—were it millions—falls again into the imperial treasury, for the Emperor says to them:—“Thou hast been my man, thou hast gained wealth from me; it is a proper thing that, after thy death,