200 [November �,187B.] ATJ. THE YEAS ROUND.
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with a treachery for which Milosch seems this time not to have been prepared, rushed upon him with their swords. Fortunately, however, Ali, who had been so generously treated by him, promptly interposed, representing that Milosch had come upon the footing of a safe-con duct. Some desultory fighting continued after this, but at length the Porte, wearied out by the indomitable Milosch, whose bribes, perhaps, also had their influence, consented to definite bases of negotiation, and peace was concluded on terms which, though they endowed Servia with less independence than she had for a short time experienced under her unfortunate exiled hero Kara Qeorge, contained the fruitful germs by which it was to grow up into its present state. Belgrade and the other fortresses were to have Turkish garrisons, but the Servians were granted by firman the administration of their country, and though paying a tribute they alone taxed themselves, whilst Milosch was recognised as de facto ruler of Servia. On the 16th November, 1817, the politic hero was elected by the assembled chiefs and superior olergy of the nation Hereditary Prince of Servia. Several authorities on Servian history allege that a dark stain rests on Milosch, in connection with the capture and death, by Turkish hands, in July, 1817, of Kara George. That terror of the Osmanli had returned suddenly from Russia, with what projects have never exactly been determined. Perhaps he was moved by pure patriotism ; possibly he was envious of the rise of Milosch. It has even been said that he came merely to dig up a buried treasure ; but that seems little likely to have been his prime motive. At all events he returned suddenly, and in disguise, to meet his fate. Enemies of Prince Milosch Obrenovitsch the First have gone so far as to hint that he deliberately betrayed his old commander to the Turks, whilst some writers say that he abstained from sending him the warning which might have saved him; and others affirm, let ns hope truly, that Milosch was entirely innocent of any part, active or passive, in the fate of Kara Qeorge. If there were, indeed, truth iu the sinister suspicion, a terrible vengeance has been taken for the deed within the last ten years. To a conspiracy organised by Prince Alexander Karageorge witch (son of " Black George ") was traced, as we shall see, the assassination, in 1868, of s
the excellent Prince Michael, the son and 8 accessor of Milosch. The exact mode of the death of the once glorious Servian hero has not been quite clearly handed down to ns. Whether he was publicly beheaded, or whether he s was murdered as he slept in hiding, seems uncertain. The former report gave occasion to a short poem, in which the late Rev. Dr. Croly commemorated the melancholy end of Servia's first Liberator. We may extract a few lines of this forgotten but spirited poem : 'Twasnoont a blood-red banner played Abore thy rampart ports, Belgrade. All tongues are silent in the group, Who round that fearful stranger troop. A peasant's robe ia o'er him flung, A swordleea sheath beside him hong. He site a charger-- bat a. Ham Now holds the bridle of the brave ; An Ethiop headsman, low' ring near, Showa where moat close hia atera career.
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He knew Hat trnm] s Hie guide throng' s When, mattering s The Modern felt his early spear. That day hia courser to the knee Was bathed in blood, and Serrin free ! " If Kara Qeorge had not fled in 1813," avows with great frankness Prince Michael Obrenovitsch (in recounting his father's career), " his glory would be without spot, shining in the annals of Servia like the sun in a cloudless sky." With the year 1817 the more stirring annals of Servia close. From the time of his accession, Milosch Obrenovitsch the First Studied to preserve and develop his state. His career as a warrior had ceased. During the Greek War of Independence he held Servia aloof from hostilities with
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the Turks. A plot, by a number of Greek s conspirators and some Servians, to assassinate him on account of his antipathy to aiding the cause of Greece, was, indeed, discovered in 1826. The culprits were executed at the capital of Servia. With consummate dexterity, 'Milosch, though he avoided war, succeeded from time to time in enlarging both Servia e freedom and his own power as prince over her j but, though not devoid of interest it is not within our scope to relate the history of Milosch 's statecraft. The sometime swineherd and patriot warrior was considered by distinguished visitors to have all the abilities of a profound statesman. When perceiving the s extent of his knowledge, and the justice of s s s
