According to Mnir Aktepes (1969) piece in Belgelerle Trk Tarihi Dergisi, around 1879 the British Ambassador to Istanbul Sir A.H. Layard presented a memorandum to Abdlhamit II, asserting that up to 60% of taxes collected were pocketed by tax farmers. Why do you think Layard is interested in the minutiae of Ottoman tax collection? Does he have an incentive to tell the truth? Hint: in 1879 almost 75% of BIOs assets consisted of various loans and advances to the Ottoman Treasury. (Hint: At the end of Authemans very valuable book, we find extensive info on BIOs founders and boar members).