The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

more politeness to each other and less envy. Their hospitality to the stranger cannot possibly be exceeded; in short, their general character has in it so few defects that I do not hesitate to pronounce them (as far as my experience of other people will permit me) the wisest, best and happiest of states.”

Comparing with Ragusa the Dalmatian coast subjugated by Venice he wrote :—

““T discovered that the wretched Government of Venice had, by sending out their Bernadotti or famished nobility to prey upon the inhabitants, rendered ineffectual the benefits of nature. What a contrast between them and the citizens of Ragusa!” 1

But just when Serbia was rising to the zenith of her power a new danger for her and for all Christendom emerged from the East. Invited by the weak Byzantine Emperors the Turks make their first appearance in Europe. The Emperor Dugan of Serbia, with the insight of a great statesman, recognised the menace at once, and tried by all means at his disposal to stave off the danger. He appealed to the Pope to nominate him Commander of all the Christian armies against the Mussulmans. Although he failed to obtain the coalition of other Christian States against the Turks, he pursued the idea of replacing the enfeebled Byzantine Empire

1 Thomas Watkins, Travels Through Switzerland to Constantinople, vol. ii. letter xlii. p. 331. c

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