Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/60

 18 ORIGIN OF THE WAR OF 1853 chap, army,* had invaded Bulgaria in 1828, and, passing 1, the Balkan in the following year, had brought the campaign to an issue which seemed like a triumph. Yet men versed in the affairs of Eastern Europe always knew that the treaty of Adrianople had not been won by the real strength of the invaders, but rather by a daring stratagem in the nature of a surprise, and by a skilful feat in diplomacy. Experience showed that the Turks could generally hold their ground with obstinacy, when the con- ditions of a fight were of such a kind that a man's bravery could make up for the want of prepara- tion and discipline. In truth they were a devoted soldiery, and fired with so high a spirit that, when brought into the right frame of mind, they could look upon the thought of death in action with a steadfast, lusty joy. They were temperate, endur- ing and obedient to a degree unknown in other armies. They brought their wants within a very narrow compass ; and, without much visible effort of commissariat skill or of transport power, they were generally found to be provided with bread and cartridges, and even with means of shelter. Their arms were always bright. Their faith tended to make them improvident; but a wise Secretary, Lord Aberdeen not succeeding to the office until the 30th of May. It was not till the 8th of June that the Russians were over the Danube, and they were in the middle of July when, issuing from the desolate peninsula of the Dobrudja, they first touched the frontiers of what is commonly understood to be the province of ' Bulgaria.' ginning the formation of an army upon the European plan.
 * The Sultan had destroyed the Janissaries, and was De-