Herzegovina | Page 8

telegraphic wire which connects Cattaro
with Trieste passes over both Suttorina and Klek. The Austrian
government would find it very inconvenient were the Porte to dispute
the right of passage at these points. Should Turkey ever be in a position
to force the adoption of the frontier, as defined by herself, the value of
Klek in a military point of view will be immeasurably increased; for,
while the port itself would be protected by her guns, the approach to it
is perfectly secure, although flanked on either side by Austrian territory.
The waters of the harbour open out into the bay of Sabioncello from
seven to eight miles in width, so that a vessel in mid-channel might run
the gauntlet with impunity.
Towards evening we entered the Narenta, the principal river of
Dalmatia and Herzegovina, by one of the numerous mouths which
combine to form its delta. Its ancient name was the 'Naro,' and it is also
called by Constantine Porphyrogenitus 'Orontium.' Later it acquired an
unenviable notoriety, as being the haunt of the 'Narentine Pirates,' who
issued thence to make forays upon the coast, and plundered or levied
tribute on the trading vessels of the Adriatic. At one time they became
so powerful as to be able to carry on a regular system of warfare, and
even gain victories over the Venetian Republic, and it was not till 997
A.D. that they were reduced to submission by the Doge Pietro Orseolo
II., and compelled to desist from piracy.
The valley of the Narenta is but thinly populated, a circumstance easily
accounted for by the noxious vapours which exhale from the alluvial
and reed-covered banks of the stream.

The lowlands, moreover, which lie around the river's bed are subject to
frequent and rapid inundations. Excepting one party of villagers, who
appeared to be making merry around a large fire close to the bank, I
saw no signs of human habitation.
The croaking of many frogs, and the whirr of the wild fowl, as they
rose from their marshy bed at our approach, were the only signs of life
to be perceived, though higher up we met a few rowing boats, and one
of the small coasting vessels used for the transport of merchandise.
These boats are generally from twenty to thirty tons burden, and are
employed for the conveyance of ordinary goods from Trieste, whence
the imports of Dalmatia, Bosnia, and the Herzegovina are for the most
part derived. Their rates of freight are light, averaging from 10_d._ to
1_s._ per cwt., chargeable on the bulk. The more valuable or fragile
articles are brought to Macarsca, a port on the Dalmatian coast, near the
mouth of the Narenta, in steamers belonging to the Austrian Lloyd's
Company, whence they are despatched by boat to Metcovich. The
expense attendant on this route prevents its being universally adopted.
Insurance can be effected as far as Metcovich at 1_s._ 4_d._ to 3_s._
4_d._ per cwt. on the value declared, according to the season of the
year.
Metcovich may be regarded as the _Ultima Thulé_ of civilisation in
this direction. Once across the frontier, and one may take leave of all
one's preconceived ideas regarding prosperity or comfort. Everything
appears at a standstill, whether it be river navigation or traffic on the
land. The apathy of the Turkish government presents a striking contrast
to the policy of Austria, who clearly sees the value to be attached to the
trade of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and who, while throwing every
obstacle in the way of competition, evinces unwonted energy to secure
the monopoly which she now possesses. During the past few years she
has granted many facilities for the growth of commercial relations
between Herzegovina and her own provinces. Thus, for instance, the
transit dues on the majority of imports and exports have been removed,
a few articles only paying a nominal duty on passing into Turkey. Wool,
skins, hides, wax, honey, fruits, and vegetables, are allowed into
Dalmatia free of duty. A grant of 1,200,000 florins has, moreover, been

recently made for the regulation of the channel of the Narenta, with the
view of rendering it navigable by small steamers, which will doubtless
prove a most profitable outlay. It is to be hoped that the Turkish
government will take steps to continue the line to Mostar, which is
quite practicable, and could be effected at a small expense.
The Narenta takes its rise at the foot of the small hill called Bolai, a
spur of the Velesh range of mountains. Its route is very circuitous, the
entire distance from the source to its mouth being about one hundred
and thirty miles, while its average width is computed at about one
hundred and forty yards. It is subject to rapid rises between the months
of September and May, caused