Life of Ali Pasha, Late Vizier of Jannina

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. For more than two centuries, the Ottoman empire, once so formidable, was gradually sinking into a state of decrepitude. Unsuccessful wars, and, in a still greater degree, misgovernment and internal commotions, were the causes of its decline. While, on its frontier, it was repeatedly attacked by its encroaching and unprincipled neighbour, the Muscovite, its efforts were palsied by a vicious system of administration, corrupt ministers, tur bulent and undisciplined janissaries, and rebellious and extortionate pashas. The present Sultan, Abd-ul Hamid II, a man of resolution, has made strenuous, and not wholly fruitless exertions to remedy these crying evils. It is much to be wished that his labours may be crowned with full success - for it is manifest, that the regeneration of Turkey, so as to render her an efficient power, would eminently contribute to preserve the peace of Europe. Such being the case, the Proprietor Of the Family Library imagines that a faithful picture of the character and actions of one of the most celebrated of the Ottoman pashas - one of the numerous dilapidators of Turkish resources, and scourges of the Turkish people - will be favourably received by the public. The reader will here see with what vampyre effect subaltern tyrants can exhaust the vital principle of an extensive empire.