Servia and the Servians 1862 William Denton

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104 BEBYI.tl. .ti.ND THE SBB'J"I.tl.NB.
of the Rhine could compare with that of this river in
the upper part of its course ! Those who endure, as part
of the necessary evils of travel, the dirt of Germany,
and the petty and vexatious inconveniences with which
some continental governments annoy the traveller, will
be charmed with the cleanliness of the Servian people,
and the perfect freedom which is enjoyed in a country
where the constitution is 88 free and the franchise more
extended than that of England. There are, indeed,
no wealthy magnates 88 in Hungary ; but the country
houses of the Servian gentry, and the homesteads of
the farmers, are as comfortable as can be desired ; and
a residence amongst this most hospitable people will
be one of real enjoyment. In no country is life or
. property more secure, and the peasants of no part of
continental Europe can compare with those of· Servia
for that truest of all courtesies, which is baaed upon a
spirit of independence, and springs from true gentleness
of character. The saJutations of the peasants to
the traveller have no trace of servility. They are
universa~ but they are the mutual homage which one
freA man renders to another. I once asked of a Servian
gentleman, '' whether there were any nobles in Servia i "
'' Every Servian is noble," was the proud reply. Whatever
might be the social and political import of these
words, when I look back upon the kindness, the courtesy,
and the hospitality with which I was treated, I
cannot consider the boast altogether without warrant ;
and, at any rate, I am recording the result of my own experience,
when I say that every Servian is a gentleman.
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