| Citation |
BC.770.009
22-25 Jan 1770:311 (165)
Extract from Lady Mary Wortley Montague's 27th Letter.
Of all the religions I have seen, that of the Arnouts
seems to me the most particular. They are natives of
Arnountlich, the ancient Macedonia; and still retain the
courage and hardiness, though they have lost the name of
Macedonians, being the best militia in the Turkish empire,
and the only check upon the Janizaries. They are foot
soldiers. We had a guard of them, relieved in every
considerable town we passed. They are all cloathed and
armed at their own expence, dressed in clean white coarse
cloth, carrying guns of prodigious length, which they run
with upon their shoulders, as if they did not feel the
weight of them, the leader singing a sort of rude tune, not
unpleasant, and the rest making up the chorus. These people
living between Christians and Mahometaus, and not being
skilled in controversy, declare, that they are utterly
unable to judge what religion is best; . . .
|