Note 150 — NOTE IV. ON THE HEROIC POETRY OF THE SLAVONIC PEOPLES.

Some interesting remarks relating to the prevalence of minstrelsy—apparently among the Christian population—during the eighteenth century are to be found in Fortis' Travels into Dalmatia (London, 1778). "A Morlacco travels along the desert mountains singing, especially in the night time, the actions of ancient Slavi kings and barons or some tragic event.... Although the Morlacchi usually sing their ancient songs, yet other poetry is not altogether extinguished among them; and their musicians, after singing an ancient piece, accompanied with the guzla, sometimes finish it with some extempore verses, in praise of the personage by whom they are employed" (ib., p. 85).