Between the Danube and the Black Sea; or, Five Years in Bulgaria

Abstract

THIS book has not been written to take advantage of the interest in Bulgaria excited by the present crisis. Mr. Barkley really spent twelve years in Turkey—the first five commencing shortly after the Crimean war, and the other seven at a subsequent period. He was employed as an engineer in connection with a Bulgarian railway, and had ample opportunities of becoming well acquainted with the country and the people. These opportunities he took good advantage of, and in the volume before us has recorded his impressions and adventures in simple and interesting style. It is a valuable feature that Mr. Barkley's sojourn in Turkey was not made during recent events, and his narrative is not written with a view to advocate one side or the other in the present unhappy conflict. He saw the Bulgarians in what may be called their normal condition, and had no reason to be prejudiced for or against any section of them. He saw much to condemn and a good deal to praise both in Christians and Mohammedans, but little that was praiseworthy in Turkish officials, “from the Governor-General to the hangman.” The work contains much information on the Bulgarians, their characters and ways, and will be found both interesting and instructive.

Between the Danube and the Black Sea; or, Five Years in Bulgaria.

Henry C.

Barkley

By (London: John Murray, 1876.)