An Unsubdued Province in Turkey

Montenegro is a little principality of Turkey, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic, the independent spirit and heroism of whose people have won the admiration of the whole world. It contains about a hundred and thirty thousand inhabitants.

The territory is healthy; and the people are famous for their simple manners, vigorous constitution, and resolute character.

In 1476, when the Byzantine Empire and the Greek Church were falling on all sides before the power of the conquering Turks, Montenegro resolved that she would never surrender her liberty.

A law was enacted at that time, and has ever since been in force, that any Montenegran who should in war turn his back to the Turks, should be dressed in woman's clothes, be whipped by the women, and then sent beyond the territory, never to return.

The Turks have never been able to subdue Montenegro. At the close of the war of 1876-78, it was declared a sovereign principality with an absolute hereditary monarch.