2-982-104 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sitting of the Skouptschina, or Parliament of Servia, 1876. Engraving after a sketch by '...M. Charles Yriarte, the well-known French traveller and historian. It represents a scene which strikes the observer as quaint and peculiar, from the mixture of common European dress with the flowing robes of the Greek Church priests, several of whom are members of this assembly, and with the furred tunics and high boots of the rustic nobles or landed gentry. The debates of the Skouptschina have during their last session been watched with some anxiety, lest Servia should openly take up the cause of the insurgents in the Herzegovina, and declare war against the Sultan [of Turkey]. It would probably be joined in this course, if not anticipated, by the rival principality of Montenegro, and the Turks could scarcely hold out against their combined forces'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876.