The original literature of Turkey is to be found in the scanty remains of the Uigur period. That remote eastern branch of the Turkish family had, after their emigration from their homes, s. of the lake Baikal, to the Tangnu Tagil, played a foremost part in the contests and migrations of Central Asia, until they disappeared in the Mongol empire about 1200 A.D. They were acquainted with Chinese 'literature, and had adopted the Buddhist doctrines to a certain extent, and their manly literary relics hear traces of these influences. When, however, the Turks, in the 11th c., began their conqust of the countries of Mohammedan Asia, they learned to appreciate the literature of Persia. then beginning to grow up in its full glory; and ever since, Turkish literature and Turkish laugnage have retained a strong Persian impression. Two branches of Turkish litera ture are usually distinguished—first, the Eastern or Jagataian, which chiefly flourished betwecen Timur's and Babel's time (14004580). Mir All Shin, the vizier of sultan Hussein, is the most renowned poet of this period. He also collected the most ancient .Jagatai poems. Sultan also belonging to tins epoch, wrote memoirs of his life and time (translated into English), which are of considerable importance. The other or Turkish literature, principally so called, is exceedingly rich, but hardly deserving the name of.an original literature, it being for the greatest part, a mere imitation of Persian and Arabic models, Of early writers, deserve special mention Sheiklii, a romantic poet and physician, and Soleyman Tchelehi. In the 161h c., the most flourishing period of
Turkey, we find Meshihi, the poet ; Kemal Pasha. Zadeli, the historian and jurist. In history, we have, besides annalists like Sand-ed-Din. historians like Mohammed Effendi. Of the same epoch is Lamii, who excelled in many branches of literature, besides hieing an accomplished translator of Persian poets. Fasli (d. 1563) and Bald, the chief of Turkish poets (d. 1600) conclude this period, which is followed by ;mother of great activity, lint of inferior rank. It boasts of Nebi, the poet; Nefi, the satirist; but above all, Hadji Khalifah the eminent historian, geographer, and encyclopaedist. Raghili Pasha stands out in the 18th c., together with Said Rufet Effendi. and a initialler of smaller writers. Little is to be told of the present stage of Turkish literature; lint there is a great activity now visible in the province of educathmal works, and the reproduction of ancient writings; is featnre winch augurs well for the future. David's (Loud. 1836), .Redhouse's (Par. 1846), and Kasem-Beg's (Kasan, 1845; Ger. by Zenker, 1847) are the best known Turkish. grammars; and Kieffer and Bianchi's (Dictionnaire Tare-FrancaLse, 2 vols., Par. 1835), as well as Redhouse's and Zenker's, among the best dictionaries of the Turkish language.