[Footnote83:Cantemir，p。80。Cananus，whodescribesSeidBechar，withoutnaminghim，supposesthatthefriendofMahometassumedinhisamourstheprivilegeofaprophet，andthatthefairestoftheGreeknunswerepromisedtothesaintandhisdisciples。]
[Footnote84:Forthismiraculousapparition，CananusappealstotheMussulmansaint；butwhowillbeartestimonyforSeidBechar?]
IntheestablishmentandrestorationoftheTurkishempire，thefirstmeritmustdoubtlessbeassignedtothepersonalqualitiesofthesultans；since，inhumanlife，themostimportantsceneswilldependonthecharacterofasingleactor。
Bysomeshadesofwisdomandvirtue，theymaybediscriminatedfromeachother；but，exceptinasingleinstance，aperiodofninereigns，andtwohundredandsixty—fiveyears，isoccupied，fromtheelevationofOthmantothedeathofSoliman，byarareseriesofwarlikeandactiveprinces，whoimpressedtheirsubjectswithobedienceandtheirenemieswithterror。Insteadoftheslothfulluxuryoftheseraglio，theheirsofroyaltywereeducatedinthecouncilandthefield:fromearlyyouththeywereintrustedbytheirfatherswiththecommandofprovincesandarmies；andthismanlyinstitution，whichwasoftenproductiveofcivilwar，musthaveessentiallycontributedtothedisciplineandvigorofthemonarchy。TheOttomanscannotstylethemselves，liketheArabiancaliphs，thedescendantsorsuccessorsoftheapostleofGod；andthekindredwhichtheyclaimwiththeTartarkhansofthehouseofZingisappearstobefoundedinflatteryratherthanintruth。^85Theiroriginisobscure；buttheirsacredandindefeasibleright，whichnotimecanerase，andnoviolencecaninfringe，wassoonandunalterablyimplantedinthemindsoftheirsubjects。Aweakorvicioussultanmaybedeposedandstrangled；buthisinheritancedevolvestoaninfantoranidiot:norhasthemostdaringrebelpresumedtoascendthethroneofhislawfulsovereign。^86
[Footnote85:SeeRicaut，l。i。c。13。TheTurkishsultansassumethetitleofkhan。YetAbulghaziisignorantofhisOttomancousins。]