PLATE XLIII.
A S P A H I.
T he Turkish cavalry consists,- for-the most part of Spahis, though
there are other corps of horse soldiers. The establishment of the
Spabis is the most, aneient in Turkey. They formerly were reckoned
the principal strength of the; Ottoman empire.: They were' then
almost always is t h i fi#|d^;and accustomed to discipline and fatigue.
They are now very different.,. The Spahis are much more scattered
over the different provinces than the Janissaries; and are almost all
married and settled. They; exercise different professions^- and; often
apply themselves to the culture of land. They receive a daily pay,
have their different officers, and are obliged to assemble, properly
armed and equipped, on the first summons, under the colours of
their district. JK s drawing was made from a Spahi, belonging
one o f the Asiatic provinces.
