DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF CATTARO; WITH OBSERVATIONS ON ITS LOCAL AND

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE. Accompanied with two engravings; one a survey of the Gulph and Harbour, the other of the Town and Fortifications.

THE vicissitudes of events occasionally confer extraordinary celebrity on persons or places, which a short time before, were of little estimation; in fact, which were scarcely heard of. Late years have seen this observation verified, in no common degree: and we have not only beheld individuals emerging from obscurity, and even misery, into fame and official authority, but we have seen places, the names of which were barely mentioned a few years ago, become serious subjects of negociation between powers of the first rank.

Cattaro, the possession of which is disputed with unusual pertinacity, is an eminent instance in proof of this position. A few months since, not a word was heard respecting this town: but circumstances have given it an importance, which justifies our endeavour to gratify ourselves, and we trust our readers also, by inserting an account of this celebrated harbour, and its environs, the possession of which, at this moment, occupies

the attention of Russia, Austria and France. We shall first state the local situation of the district.

The Adriatic sea separates Greece from Italy, and in its northern parts has many excellent harbours on its eastern side, which comprises the ancient Illyria. Among these, Ragusa is the best known, because it has the greatest proportion of shipping on the Mediterranean. South-east of Ragusa, about 25 miles, lat. 42° long. 19 E, is an opening in the land, through a narrow entrance, which, becoming wider as it advances, furnishes to vessels of any burden, a safe asylum from all winds, together with the advantages of good anchorage, and almost all others which can be desired in a harbour. The following description is translated from Pouqueville's Travels in Greece.-1801. Vol. III. p. 288.

Nature does not offer in any country in the world, a port equal to the Rhizonic Gulph, better known, in modern days, under the name of the Mouths of Cattaro. Let imagination conceive three vast basons, extending very far into the surrounding country, and communicating with each other only by passages capable of being regularly defended'; and this will suggest some idea of the ports of Cattaro. Afterwards, a single inspection of the plans of Coronelli, which yet are not perfect, will convince us that fancy itself, is hardly adequate to the detail of these wonderful harbours.

The largest fleets may find shelter in these deep recesses, or arms of the sea; and from the screens of rugged mountains around them VOL. I. [Lit. Pan, Oct. 1806.]

where, in all probability, exist only forests and pasturages, might suddenly issue unsuspected squadrons, stored with the whole apparatus of war.

Sublime declivities circumscribe the ports of Cattaro; and the levels in their neighbourhood, are inhabited by a population whose character, is intrepidity. Every where nature exhibits decided marks of superiority, with an air of grandeur, degraded by no imperfections. In short, the mouths of Cattaro ought to be regarded as the most inportant port of the Adriatic; and to whomsoever this port belongs, the dominion of this sea belongs of course. It would be useless to detail the other advantages felt, and appreciated; and which Germany being in possession of this point, would no doubt render manifest. East of these mouths of Cattaro, rise the mountains inhabited by the Montenegrins; a lofty and brave race, breathing nothing but war. The half savage state in which they exist, the view of their mountains, and of the sea dashing with noisy vehemence on the shores of Dalmatia, in short, the tumults of the elements, are their enjoyments. They are the remaining and unchanged descendants of the ancient Illyrians: most of them profess christianity, but all of them worship independence, only! They sometimes forsake the scenes of their nativity, to enter the service of the Emperors of Russia; but their constitutions are rarely able to support the change of climate: and although better fed and better treated than when at home with their families, the greater part of these adventurers perish."- -Our first plate presents a plan of these basons.

This information contributes to account for the interest attached by the Emperor of Russia to the possession of Cattaro; since it is extremely natural that he should desire to maintain, and, indeed, to strengthen, his connection with the Montenegrins. This is still further elucidated by a hint which afterwards drops from M. Pouqueville, when he savs, every thing leads to the belief thát a warlike marine may one day issue from the bottom of this gulphí, to proclaim and defend the liberty of the Mediterranean." Our readers may safely translate this to import "under the French flag." He thinks ten years would not elapse before this prediction should be fulfilled.

66

The town of Cattaro stands at the very bottom of the gulph. It was known to the Romans by the name of Ascrivium. The fortress is strongly situated on the mountains behind the town: and appears by a military plan taken on the spot, by Sig. M. Antonio Coda, in 1768, and bought at Venice, by Lord Edward Bentinck, with which we have been favoured, [Vide Plate II.] to be the very Gibraltar of Dalmatia. The town is the sce of a Bishop, suflragan to Bari. The fortress