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Friday, March 20, 2020

The Russian Colossus

“Nevertheless, occasions proved that the choice they’d made for his or her capital was not a smart one. The Russian Colossus now dominated by the Bolshevik was shivering below a brand new fever of imperialism as acute because the endemic one it had below the Tsars. It stretched its bloodstained claws to the South, and gripping the unbiased Turkish republic of Caucasia, implanted its Soviets too dangerously close to Erzeroum.


The Turks of Anatolia, the Nationalist Turks as they now known as themselves, noticed the hazard and shivered in dismay. Their group was as but nil, the Turkish armies had been disbanded, the Turkish fleet had been dismantled, and their capital the brains of New Turkey whose double nationwide objective was naturally to guard Europe from a Southeastern Bolshevik invasion and the Close to East from western domination was with out weapons, with out cannons and with out bayonets, on the mercy of Russia. The dismay within the Turkish camp was, nevertheless, of brief period.


From Constantinople had arrived an awesome man, an awesome chief, an awesome normal whose genius had already as soon as saved Turkey walking tours istanbul on the Dardanelles. Mustapha Kemal Pasha appeared in Erzeroum and the Nationwide Meeting unanimously elected him directly to its presidency. He gave fast orders and all of the members of the Nationwide Meeting, numbering practically seven hundred, all of the civilian and army chiefs accompanied by their staffs, all the workers of the non permanent Authorities packed up their baggage and trudged their weary method to the good Anatolian plateau accessible solely by means of simply defensible mountain passes the place the Sakaria river winds its approach.


“Right here, on the head of one of many only a few railroad strains in Asia Minor, virtually on the identical distance from the Black Sea shores, the Russian Soviet’s borders, Mesopotamia occupied by the British and Cilicia then occupied by the French all locations from which an assault may have been anticipated on the rear of the Nationalist armies preventing towards the Greeks on the Smyrna and the Broussa entrance was a small, dilapidated, half burned village, Angora. But it surely was the pure middle from whence the Turkish wrestle for freedom might be higher launched and might be defended with the best likelihood of success.


“The Turkish Nationalists wished to construct up their nation for effectivity, not for luxurious. They’d not sought and obtained energy for egocentric causes of consolation and delight. So what did they care if their capital was to be a small, uncomfortable village! They’d left their properties, their property and their households in Constantinople and had come to Asia Minor to place into execution lofty beliefs. Their objective was to arrange in Anatolia a brand new state, a brand new democracy, a brand new Authorities of the folks and for the folks, free and unbiased and so they had been firmly decided to do that towards any odds.

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Red Crescent

“You possibly can simply notice that beneath these circumstances there’s little or no social life. Apart from, the work undertaken is simply too strenuous, the folks listed here are an excessive amount of occupied with their duties and actually in earnest about conducting them in addition to they’ll to bask in social life. Moreover there are only a few representatives of the truthful intercourse in Angora, and social life with out girls just isn’t attainable. A lot of the girls listed here are villagers or else nurses of the Pink Crescent, Turkish reduction staff and girls in any other case occupied in aiding their husbands, fathers or brothers within the patriotic job they’ve undertaken.


There are not any girls of leisure, no hostess who has sufficient time to entertain. It may be in truth mentioned that each Turkish girl now in Angora is slightly Joan of Arc. And the quarters being so insufficient a lot of the girls stay collectively and sleep collectively simply as their males are obliged to stay and sleep collectively. Everybody right here works grimly with a particular goal and faces the realities confronting the cyclopean work of recreating a Nation.


“The shortage of social intercourse doesn’t nonetheless detract from the curiosity of the place. The sight of the streets alone is most fascinating and edifying. Everyone seems to be so busy and there are such a lot of folks right here that it’s hardly attainable to stroll leisurely within the streets throughout the rush hours of the day. One is taken up and carried by the gang. And the gang is essentially the most diversified and picturesque that one can see in anywhere, not even barring the proverbial bridge in Constantinople. You see, volunteers of all types have rushed right here not solely from Anatolia, however from each Turkish nation, each Turkish village of the world and even from essentially the most diversified Muslim international locations of Asia and Africa. It’s a actual Babel, however of costumes not of languages: each one speaks Turkish.


Azerbeidjanian and Caucasian Turks


Turkish Anatolian peasants, with saggy trousers, broad blue belts and skinny turbans over their fez, fraternize with Tartars and Kirghiz of Turkestan. Azerbeidjanian and Caucasian Turks, with tightfitting black coats and large black astrakan kolpaks on their heads   runaways from Bolshevik Russia   are discussing the rules of actual democracy as utilized to Nationalist Turkey and evaluating them with the socalled democracy of Soviet lands. Muslim Chinamen and Hindoos are speaking over the way forward for Turkey and Islam. All of the nations of Asia intermingle right here and most of them have official missions in Angora: Embassies from Afghanistan, Beluchistan, Bokhara, Khiva and from the completely different new Republics of Turkestan, duly accredited representatives from Persia and Azerbeidjan.


The quota from Africa can also be very massive and whereas there are not any diplomatic missions from African international locations for the straightforward motive that each one African international locations are colonies 1 many are the Fellahs from Egypt, the Algerians and Moroccans and even the Muslim negroes of North Africa who will be seen within the streets.


 

Saturday, March 14, 2020

I fairly chuckled at the idea

Upon the eighth evening I used to be greater than often cautious in opening the door. A watch`s minute hand strikes extra rapidly than did mine. By no means earlier than that evening had I felt the extent of my very own powers—of my sagacity. I may scarcely include my emotions of triumph. To suppose that there I used to be, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or ideas.


I pretty chuckled at the idea; and maybe he heard me; for he moved on the mattress out of the blue, as if startled. Now chances are you’ll suppose that I drew again—however no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness (for the shutters had been shut mounted, by way of concern of robbers), and so I knew that he couldn’t see the opening of the door, and I stored pushing it on steadily, steadily.


I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the outdated man sprang up in mattress, crying out: “Who`s there?”


Mattress listening


I stored fairly nonetheless and mentioned nothing. For an entire hour I didn’t transfer a muscle, and within the meantime I didn’t hear him lie down. He was nonetheless sitting up within the mattress listening;—simply as I’ve executed, evening after evening, hearkening to the demise watches within the wall.


Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of ache or grief—oh, no! —it was the low stifled sound that arises from the underside of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound properly. Many an evening, simply at midnight, when all of the world slept, it has welled up from my very own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it properly. I knew what the outdated man felt, and pitied him, though I chuckled at coronary heart. I knew that he had been mendacity awake ever because the first slight noise, when he had turned within the mattress.


His fears had been ever since rising upon him. He had been making an attempt to fancy them causeless, however couldn’t. He had been saying to himself: “It’s nothing however the wind within the chimney—it is just a mouse crossing the ground,” or “it’s merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.” Sure, he has been making an attempt to consolation himself with these suppositions; however he had discovered all in useless. All in useless; as a result of Dying, in approaching him, had stalked along with his black shadow earlier than him, and enveloped the sufferer. And it was the mournful affect of the unperceived shadow that brought on him to really feel—though he neither noticed nor heard—to really feel the presence of my head inside the room.

Friday, March 13, 2020

The announcement that an unknown German Prince

Earlier to his choice by the Regency which was appointed on Prince Alexander’s abdication, and of which M. Stambouloff was the main member, there have been in all probability not a rating of individuals in all Bulgaria who had ever heard the title of her future sovereign.


Little question, an analogous comment would have held good of his predecessor on the time of his accession. However then Alexander got here to Bulgaria as her sovereign on the occasion and with the approval of the Czar, the Liberator of Bulgaria ; whereas Ferdinand, on his accession, was not befriended by any nice European Energy, and was notoriously a persona ingrata to the one Energy from whom Bulgaria had most both to hope or concern. Because the youthful son of the pinnacle of the non-regnant department of the Saxe-Coburgs, his father being an excellent Austrian nobleman, and his mom a daughter of the ex-King of the French, he had no different recognized declare to distinction than that of belonging to an illustrious household, linked by ties of consanguinity with nearly all of the royal homes of Europe, and occupying a excessive place in Austria, the place their estates have been located.


On the Continent, princes of royal lineage have little likelihood of distinguishing themselves personally in any approach, aside from army service; and Prince Ferdinand was nonetheless a mere youngster on the date of the final European conflict.


It was, due to this fact, no fault of his, if the announcement that an unknown German Prince had been chosen to be their future sovereign excited little enthusiasm amidst the folks over whom he was known as to reign. I query, nevertheless, whether or not a sovereign of far larger private reputation would have been welcomed with any diploma of enthusiasm.


In so far as the Bulgarians troubled themselves concerning the selection of their ruler, their one want was for the restoration of the Prince who had led their armies to victory, and who, as they held, had been sacrificed on account of his loyalty to Bulgaria. The late Prince’s restoration, nevertheless, was out of the query, and for Bulgaria, located as she then was, the election of Prince Ferdinand was, if I could use a typical phrase, Hobson’s selection. Hobson, whoever that legendary personage could have been, will not be recorded to have entertained any particular regard for the article of his enforced choice.


 

Majesty turns into when stripped

Prince Ferdinand by no means has acquired, and possibly by no means will purchase, the non-public maintain on the affections of his topics which was obtained by Prince Alexander. However he has succeeded in inspiring them with the conviction that he has their welfare at coronary heart, and that he’s the champion of their nationwide independence.


I’m not positive additionally whether or not his willpower to encompass himself with the paraphernalia of royalty and to maintain up all of the etiquette and state of an everyday Courtroom will not be attributable to coverage as a lot as to private inclinatioa There’s a great deal of fact within the previous riddle about what Majesty turns into when stripped of its externals; human nature is a mass of contradictions in every single place; and I’m inclined to assume that the Bulgarians exactly as a result of their very own habits, tastes, and concepts are of the peasant order have a better respect for the King who’s a King, with a Courtroom which is a Courtroom, than they’d have for a Prince who was content material to be handled merely and solely because the chief Justice of the Peace of a peasant commonwealth.


Sovereign of an impartial State


Furthermore, the chapter of accidents has precipitated the Prince’s willpower to maintain up the outward state and dignity of royalty to imagine the character of a nationwide protest If he had been acknowledged on the outset by the European Powers and handled by them because the chosen sovereign of an impartial State, his punctilious insistence on the formalities of a royal Courtroom being noticed at Sofia may need been ascribed to mere private vainness. However, from the graduation of his reign down to the current day, he has been tabooed, handled with scant courtesy, and, so to talk, unnoticed within the chilly by his fellow- sovereigns.


Although he has now reigned for seven years because the chosen sovereign of Bulgaria, the selection of the nation has been studiously and persistently ignored by the European Powers. No one in every of these Powers, nonetheless pleasant disposed, has ever but formally acknowledged the existence of the current Bulgarian monarchy. It isn’t accorded a spot amidst the monarchies whose file is recited within the Almanack de Gotha. Even Nice Britain and Turkey have by no means made up their minds to deal with the Prince with the ceremonial because of the authorized sovereign of an impartial State.


The good majority of the diplomatic physique at Sofia by no means go to Courtroom or maintain any private communication with the sovereign. The few members of the physique who break via the rule of absolute non-recognition achieve this moderately on the bottom of the Prince’s private kinship to the dynasties they signify, than to the actual fact of his being the sovereign of the State to which they’re accredited.


Whether or not the coverage of non-recognition is smart or unwise, it has had the great results of inflicting the Bulgarians to treat the decision of Prince Ferdinand to be handled in all respects as a legit sovereign within the mild of a protest in opposition to the slight inflicted by his non-recognition, not a lot on himself as on the nation over which he guidelines.


 


 

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Foreign policy state

The foreign policy of a state whose grandeur is founded upon conquest, must characteristically be that erf conquest. It is of course in furtherance of this policy that the great and novel plan of “military colonization” has been devised. Eventually this, it appears, is to place at the dis postal of government, three millions of males,   trained from the earliest age to military exercises, and to be held constantly in readiness to rein force the embodied army. Whether this number is to be the maximum, will of course depend upon circumstances.


Seventy thousand is the number stated to be now available from this source.


The settlements granted to the Roman Legions were chiefly for defense, and for services pen formed. These appear to concern the future more than the past; and are obviously calculated rather to assail than protect The consequence) if not the intention, is plainly the foundation of an immense military caste, whose confirmed habits and separate interests must no less dispose and qualify them to rivet the chains of their own countrymen, than to impose an equally galling bondage on every surrounding people.


What political institution, democratic or otherwise, can be so inimical to the safety of other states, as the uncalled-for preparation of such permanent and overwhelming means of aggression?


The number of serfs stated to belong to the crown, is fourteen millions; with a still greater proportion of land. The individual members of the Imperial family also possess a considerable number the remainder, with a small exception, being the property of noble or private persons,   all being equally subject to unlimited and uncontrolled military conscription. It cannot therefore be alleged that other governments have their remedy by adopting a like system, because to no other government are there means of a similar amount and character available.


Population is the proportion


About one eleventh of the population is the proportion, it is believed, that are free.


Whether these colonies may or may not produce to the full extent what appears to have been contemplated; is, as yet, uncertain. But the stupendous project completely discloses the anima of the government.


Their succession to the throne of  the Russia has; not broken, and even the occupants cut off, by conspiracies, which have usually effected their purpose, though, the aid of such portions of the army as: may have, been at hand.:. But these tragically eveatahaye, in no instance wrought any essential change on the gap and external views of the governments; such are amongst the perils which must ever be the penalty of an injudiciously exerted despotism.


 

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Forming my opinions

It has been my object, in forming my opinions as to the present condition of Bulgaria, to keep an open mind. I have tried to explain the general causes which have brought about the peculiar social and economical conditions of Bulgaria. I have endeavoured to do justice to the peculiar qualities of race and character which are partly the cause, partly the effect, of her present system of government, and her existing social organization. I have also tried to indicate the defects inseparable from the state of things under which alone a peasant community is a possibility.


Physical and intellectual


Anybody acquainted with peasant life, as it exists in naked reality not in fiction, can fill in for himself the various failings, social, physical, and intellectual, to which I have had cause to allude frequently. But I have made no attempt to strike a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of such a social fabric as the one I have sought to describe. In Bulgaria, as elsewhere, my rule has been to take things very much as I find them, to describe these things as they are in fact, not as they ought to be in theory ; and to leave it to others to decide whether the things so described are in harmony with the abstract principles which govern, or are supposed to govern, the condition of humanity.


Those who wish to find arguments or illustration, whether for or against the “ three acres and a cow ” school of political economy, may probably find both in what I have written. For my part, I have no theory to advocate one way or the other. I shall be content if I succeed in calling attention to a very exceptional social organization, which in all human likelihood must be transitory; and I know of no better term under which to describe this organization than the title I have chosen for this book, that of “ The Peasant State.”


For Englishmen in particular, quite apart from their general interest in the Eastern Question, this aspect of Bulgaria possesses a special importance. Public attention in England has in our days been greatly attracted to the advantages of a peasant proprietary. The merits or demerits of such a system lie for the present beyond the range of party politics.


Liberals and Conservatives are alike agreed to accept, as an axiom of political economy, the dictum that, in a well-regulated state, the mass of the community ought by rights to have a personal, individual stake in the land. Our public men seem to be coming round to the belief that the ideal State would be one best described by the saying attributed to Henry IV. of France, that he hoped to see the day when every French peasant would have a fowl in his pot We have endeavoured, by legislation, to create a class of small peasant land-owners in Ireland; we are contemplating the possibility of creating such a class in England. It needs no great political foresight to prophesy that “the three acres and a cow” theory, originated by Mr. Chamberlain, will soon become the recognized stock-in-trade of every political party which stands in need of the agricultural vote. Again, an important and increasing section of the Liberal party at home has taken up the view that large accumulations of private fortune are an evil to be discouraged, if not prevented, by legislation ; and that, in the new era which it is hoped to inaugurate, capital and pauperism will be alike comparatively unknown quantities.


I am not an ardent political economist I am not, perhaps, much of a believer in any scheme for the reorganization of society on a new and a better basis. But my personal views as to the progress of humanity are of no great interest to myself, and of none at all to the world at large. I shall not, therefore, obtrude any views I may hold on this subject in these pages. My endeavour is confined to a wish to show that Bulgaria, as at present constituted, approaches as closely as is consistent with the imperfection of all human institutions to the ideal State of our latter- day social reformers, in which there are to be no poor and no rich, in which every citizen is to have a share, and to a considerable extent an equal share, in the land of the commonwealth, in which there are to be no privileged classes and no social distinctions, and in which the people, who in the case of Bulgaria are the peasants, are to govern themselves by themselves and for themselves.

Monday, March 9, 2020

Which had not sent up its petitions to heaven

The Durwesh


A Durwesh having a pressing want, somebody said to him, “Such as one has inconceivable wealth, and were he apprised of your condition, he would not suffer any delay to happen in supplying you.” He answered, “I do not know him.” The other said, “I will conduct you and taking hold of his hand, shewed the way to his house. The Durwesh, on beholding one sitting, who had a hanging lip and severe countenance said nothing, but returned. The other asked, what he had done. He replied, “I gave his bounty in exchange for his visit.”


Expose not you want to one of a sour countenance, for you will be distressed by his ill-nature. If you disclose the sorrows of your heart to any one, let it be to him whose pleasant countenance will assure your prompt payment.


Drought at Alexandria


There happened one year uncle a drought at Alexandria that men could not support it with patience; the doors of heaven were shut against the earth, and the lamentations of all creatures reached the sky. There was neither bird, beast, fish, nor insect, which had not sent up its petitions to heaven. It is wonderful that the smoke of the aspirations from the hearts of all creatures should not have collected in the form of clouds, and their tears been converted into an inundation of rain.


In such a year, an hermaphrodite, (far be such an one from our friends. As using words to describe him is contrary to good breeding, especially in polite company, but at the same time it is not proper to pass him over in silence, because some people might impute it to the ignorance of the relator; therefore I shall abridge my meaning in the following verses: “ From a little we judge of much; an handful is a sample of an ass-load. If a Tartar should kill that hermaphrodite no one could require his blood in retaliation. How long will he continue to resemble the bridge at Bughdad, which ^ has water running under whilst men are passing over it? ”


This person, of whom I have given some description, was at this time possessed of immense wealth; amongst the needy he distributed gold and silver, and provided a table for the entertainment of travelers. A company of Durweshes, perishing with want, were inclined to have aceepted his invitation, and came to ask my advice. I dissuaded them from their inclination, and said,


“The lion will not eat the dog’s leavings, although he should perish with hunger in his den. In the present case, submit to the pangs and cravings of hunger, and hold not up your hand to implore charity from a mean wretch. If a man destitute of virtue should equal Feridoon in wealth and power, yet account him nobody. The variegated silk and fine linen, on the back of a blockhead, are lapis-lazuli and gold on a wall.”


 

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Wholly independent of the Turks

The Servians professed themselves ready to pay tribute to the Porte   to receive a Pacha, with a certain number of men, in Belgrade   and, in time of war, to admit Turkish garrisons into the other fortresses; but under ordinary circumstances, they claimed the right of having in them garrisons of their own.


The internal administration of the country was to remain wholly independent of the Turks. But these demands were now no longer listened to at Constantinople. The Deputies were referred to the new Grand Vizier, Churschid Pacha; who, two years before, had proved so dangerous to the Servians in their own country, and who had been raised to the highest dignity expressly in consideration of the service he had rendered in checking their progress. At Nisch, on their way to Con stantinople, he had received them favourably ; but, on their return, his conduct was very different: lie refused to give them any satisfactory answer.


The Servian ambassadors returned home at Christmas, 1812, without having effected any of the objects of their mission. All negotiation was postponed, to a conference appointed to take place at Xisch, in 1813.


There, at length, the Commissioner from the Porte, Tschclebi Effcndi, set forth the Turkish interpretation of the treaty.


He demanded the surrender not only of all the fortresses, but also of all their arms and ammunition. The Turks who had been banished were


to return into the towns and Palanks. Nothing else, it was said, could be meant by the Peace of  Bucharest. .Jt now remained for Kara George to verify his words, and to submit to what had been agreed upon by the two Emperors; and any one dissatisfied with this arrangement was at liberty to emigrate.


But if the Servians were to deliver up their arms, and the Turks were to resume their possessions, a still further rc establishment of the former state of things was to be expected. To these demands, therefore, the deputies could not, and would not, agree. Consequently, towards the spring, the Turkish troops assembled close to the Servian frontiers. They had also other business in that neighbourhood; to act against Molla Pacha, the successor of Passwan Oglu, at AViddin; whom, as one who had raised himself to independent power, the Sultan was no longer disposed to tolerate.


In order to save himself, Molla Pacha had at one time actually offered to surrender his citadel to the Servians; but when it came to the point, he


could not, as a “good Turk,” make up his mind to take a step so decisive in favour of Christians. Nor, perhaps, would the oiler have been accepted; as the Servians had received express instructions from St. Petersburg to remain quiet, and by no means to provoke the Turks; who would not then venture to violate the existing treaty. At the same time, Molla Pacha, pressed by his opponents in the town itself, was under the necessity of surrendering his fortress to the Turks.

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Murdered by his Janissaries

We go time and again to the Old Seraglio, whose nooks and corners become as familiar to us as if we had lived there, the Old Seraglio whose every building, every kiosk, every room is still alive with the history of Turkey’s past grandeur, whose garden still glows with the life of all the great Sultans and of their courtiers who lived and died there.


From its outer court with its long alley of tall cypresses and poplars gently swaying to the breeze as if bewailing past splendors, from its outer Council Room where generations of grave Pashas robed in sable furs covered with silk brocades and with be jeweled turbans have discussed affairs of State and international policies while powerful Sultans were listening from behind the golden lattices of a small balcony, from the informal audience room from which a Sultan chased the Ambassador of Louis XIV, King of France, for having dared to sit in his presence.


to the court where another Sultan was murdered by his Janissaries, to the Kiosk of the Lilacs to the laboratory where learned doctors prepared drugs for their august masters, to the very trunk of the old plane tree in the shade of which a resentful Sultan signed the decree condemning to death one of his generals who had failed, to capture Vienna, and to the marble terrace of the Badged kiosk where a poet Sultan improvised his immortal verses to his Sultana, the place seems to be full of living shadows and remembrances. It seems as if it were only asleep and semiconsciously waiting a signal to people again all its buildings and its gardens with Princes and soldiers continuing their interrupted earthly existence.


City like Constantinople


We go time and again to all the different mosques of the neighborhood, places renowned the world over for their architecture and which are so impregnated by the prayers which generations of faithful believers have made within their walls five times a day for centuries and centuries, that they vibrate with spirituality and force you to meditation not a sad meditation with visions of everlasting fires to expiate earthly sins, but encouraging meditation which whispers into your ears that God who has created such beautiful surroundings for a city like Constantinople, God who has given the power to human beings to conceive and construct such cheerful and elevating temples of worship and prayer cannot and will not create another life where the miseries of this one are continued and multiplied eternally. A meditation which makes you realize that if winter comes, spring cannot be far behind!


 

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Which Is Why New Takes On Old Classics Music

Many people would argue that there can be no musical cover which is better than the original. We’re here to tell those people that, bluntly put, they’re wrong.


Songs are created to be sung to, to be experimented with, and to last the test of time – which is why new takes on old classics can be both comforting and exciting. What’s more, cover songs can sometimes even be better and become more famous, than the original. Some cover songs may even become more known than the original and with the low streaming revenue on Spotify, that’s why you’ll never get rich making music.


Here are 5 covers which, in our entirely subjective opinion, are way better than the original versions. Do you agree with us? Read on to see!


Valerie – Amy Winehouse


Valerie was originally recorded by The Zutons in 2006, yet Mark Ronson’s and Amy Winehouse’s more upbeat version is sure to be the one you’re singing in your head already.


Amy Winehouse’s version of the song came out just a year after The Zutons released their original track, yet Amy’s voice and Ronson’s jazzy cover managed to spend 19 straight weeks in the Top 20 chart.


Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley


Hallelujah is one of those songs that will be covered forever more. Whether its X Factor contestants at Christmas time or in the credits of Shrek, the song is so ingrained into pop culture that it practically invites itself to be sung by everyone and anyone.


However, there is much debate around whether or not Jeff Buckley’s version of the song is better than the original by Lenard Cohen. Bring this up in the pub and we’re sure a long conversation will ensue.


In our eyes, Buckley’s vocals bring to life Cohen’s words – which seems like the fairest way to sit on the fence about this one!


Respect – Aretha Franklin


As we mentioned in the introduction, sometimes a cover version of a song can become way more successful and popular than the original version. This is the case with Respect, which many people would believe to be by Aretha Franklin.


In actual fact, the original version of the song was actually released by Otis Redding two years earlier. However, by changing a few phrases and adding the iconic ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me’ refrain, Aretha not only made the song her own, but made it a rallying cry for women everywhere.


I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston


I Will Always Love You was first released by Dolly Parton in 1974, and it was by no means a flop. The song topped the Billboard Country Songs chart twice and was widely loved by all.


However, when Whitney Houston recorded her version of the song for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, I Will Always Love You was cemented as an instant classic.


What’s more, Houston’s version contains one of the most impressive vocal performances of any singer ever, and it still holds the record for the best-selling single by a female artist in the world.


Make You Feel My Love – Adele


If there’s one thing which has been made quite obvious in this list, it’s that everyone loves to cover a well-written love song. And who can write a better love song than Bob Dylan?


lmost all of Bob Dylan’s songs have been covered at some point, but none stand out as more impressive than Adele’s rousing version of Make You Feel My Love.


Adele’s powerful cover was released in 2008, eleven years after the original, yet it now feels inseparable from the London singer, who managed to make it her own when she was just 19 years of age.


 

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Independence for Bulgaria

On the one hand, I was assured that the Boers were sordid in their habits, ignorant and untruthful, corrupt and unprincipled, and altogether unfit for independence. On the other hand, I was told that the Boers were a homely, simple-minded, law-abiding, and hard-working people, honest in their dealings, anxious to keep their word, though keen-witted about their own affairs, and perfectly competent to govern themselves. My personal observation soon led me to the conclusion that the


Boers were neither as good nor as bad as they were described respectively by friendly and unfriendly critics; but that, on the whole, the favourable version came nearer to the truth than the unfavorable one. I suspect, myself, a similar investigation would lead to a similar conclusion as to the two contradictory estimates of the Bulgar character you hear constantly from foreign residents, whose experience gives them some right to express an opinion on the subject. I was frequently told that the Bulgars were a bad lot; that they were greedy, grasping, and ungrateful; that they had no self-respect, no sense of honour. I have no doubt there is an element of truth in the above description.


Bulgars liberty


The Bulgars have only just regained their liberty after a servitude of centuries. I have already expressed my opinion that Turkish rule in Bulgaria was by no means so cruel or so oppressive as it is represented to have been by ardent partisans of Sclav proclivities. Still, after making every possible allowance, the rule of Turkey in Bulgaria was an autocratic despotism exercised by masters alien from their subjects in race, language, and religion. Slavery is slavery all the world over; and till within recent years the Bulgars were slaves, who only enjoyed a modicum of freedom, thanks to the remoteness of their country, the absence of individual wealth, and the contemptuous indifference of their Moslem lords and masters.


The marvel is, given these conditions, that they have retained so much of the virtues of freemen, not that they should have imbibed a few of the vices of slavery. Servility, dishonesty, dissimulation, disregard of truth, and absence of self-respect are failings necessarily generated by slavery. I am quite prepared to admit that the present generation of Bulgarians have not lost all the characteristics inherited from their forefathers.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Top 3 Brands to Choose

There is nothing worse than looking in the mirror and realizing your eyeliner has completely vanished. Nowadays, we have waterproof eyeliners that can last for an entire day.


No matter if you are a beginner in the world of makeup, or a makeup junkie, you should be obsessing over waterproof liners. You might have sensitive dry eyes that are prone to irritation, and it is important that your makeup stays put.


Whatever the case is, waterproof eyeliners are here to stay. And there are many you can choose.


Imagine going to buy a waterproof eyeliner, only to found it will not last. It can happen to the best of us. That is why we recommend researching for the best waterproof eyeliner. You want brands that produce eyeliners that last, and that is also hypoallergenic.


When you see on the label “ophthalmologist tested”, it is a safety testing done to ensure the products safe for usage around the eye area. That also includes wearers of contact lenses. The products are tested for a few weeks, and then clinically evaluated to ensure there is no irritation. With that in mind, here are three liners you can trust.


Tarte Cosmetics Clay Waterproof Liner


This liner will last for a long time, but not as some other brands. Some of the good things about this liner are that it does not budge much or bother your eyes. That means it can classify as hypoallergenic type.


The product is made with micronized natural Amazonian clay, and it contains botanical waterproofing agent. It is basically a blend of natural plant waxes that create an impermeable layer and protect the liner against rain, tears, sweat, and creasing.


This liner has been tested by dermatologists and contains no mineral oils, parabens, fragrances, SLS< and phthalates.


Pixie Endless Silky Eye Pen


You can easily find Pixie products, as they are sold by Target. While they are cheap and easy to find, these eyeliners might not be good enough for you. The product is hypoallergenic, but your eyeliner might make its way down within a couple of hours.


The product is paraben free and contains vitamin E and natural mineral pigments.


Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil


These pencils are creamy and go on smooth. They will stay put the moment they set. In a way, it is like a moisturizing pencil. And the best part is, your eyes will not be irritated.


This product is paraffin free, mineral oils free, and parabens free. In the same time, it is enriched with vitamin E.


With that in mind, if you like to see a more detailed review of waterproof eyeliners, check this link. They have you covered with all the pros and cons of different eyeliners.


7 Quick Tips for Using Waterproof Eyeliner


Rest your elbow on a table while applying liner to keep your arm and hand steady


Line your eye with a pencil liner, and then go over with liquid over it for a seamless finish


Apply eyeshadow before applying eyeliner if you are doing full eye makeup. Applying eyeshadow first will create a dry base for your liquid liner


To create a wing easily, create a tiny triangle that connects that the top and bottom lash line, and then go back and add a tiny flick with the tip of the brush


Line your eye in small dots and dashes, and then connect them. Make sure the dots are the width of the line you want to achieve


Apply a light coat of mascara before you begin lining your eyes, as the stiffened row of lashes will provide the liner brush a place to rest


If anything goes sideways during the application, use a regular concealer to clean it up and blend into the makeup