beauty of their models, their lightness, and swiftness; and the Greek sailors were decidedly the most active and expert in manoeuvering, of any in the Mediterranean. Children were taken to sea by their fathers at a tender age, and as soon as they could lisp, were taught the names of the different parts of the vessel; they were afterwards brought on deck; they were taught to mark the points of the compass; to learn the names and position of stars; the appearance of the sea, the islands, and continent; and woe to the boy, who could not remember the name of any Cape or Promontory, when he saw it the second time. Still farther concessions were gained for the commercial Greeks, by their wily brethren of the Fanar, who had such a powerful influence in the Divan; and they were allowed the privilege of removing themselves completely from the influ ence of Turkish tyranny, and of an exemption from all taxes, by the payment of a certain sum to the Porte. The weakness and poverty of the Turkish Government was displayed strongly in this one, of a thousand acts of folly; it granted to its Christian subjects, Barats, or commissions, which exempted them from the Karatch, and allowed them to place themselves under the protection of any foreign ambassador. The Greeks failed not to improve all these advantages; an extensive and enterprising marine population soon made Hydra, Spetzia, Ipsara, Miconi, Cranidhi, Galaxhidi, and other pla ces, but lately unknown, important ports; whence issued fine vessels, which competed with, and soon gained a complete ascendancy, over the European traders in the Levant; doing the carrying trade much cheaper than they could, and thus excluding them. They were in danger from the Algerine and other pirates, and hence they had an excuse for arming their vessels; they carried from six to sixteen cannon, and thus was formed the organ of the future regeneration of Greece. Each commercial island was obliged to supply a certain number of sailors for the Turkish fleet, and to pay them. Be sides this, they paid their tribute to the Porte, which the Capitan Pashaw gathered from each island in his annual round with the squadron. But this was nothing; no weight of oppres sion cramped their exertions; no Turks lived in their islands; they were almost free, and they failed not to profit by it; the merchants amassed immense fortunes, the people were all flourishing; the islands assumed a better appearance; splendid houses were seen springing up, and the luxuries of Europe began to be introduced. The Greek became more enlightened; he moved with a prouder step, and a haughtier front, when he passed the Turks; and when bounding over the waves in his light ship, he felt himself free, and a match for his tyrant. These are some of the circumstances, which placed Greece at the commencement of the nineteenth century, in a situation to begin a struggle for independence, with a rational prospect of success, and with two millions of people to support it.* We would that our limits would allow us to go into a detail of some other circumstances, of the same nature, which are not generally known; but we must close, and we do so with observing, that the rank and power which Greece may one day claim among the nations of the earth, should not be calculated by the extent of her country, nor the number of her inhabitants; in ancient days, as well as Britain in modern times, she showed what power and sway can be exercised over the world, by a people confined in a small space. Her climate is delicious, without being enervating; there, the physical and mental faculties develop themselves in full perfection; her geographical situation is most admirable :-situated in a central position between Europe, Asia, and Africa; her coasts abounding with large and secure ports; her vegetable and mineral productions, various, and inexhaustible; her people enterprising and industrious; all give promise, that should she succeed in shaking off the iron load of oppression which has for ages kept her grovelling in the dust of servitude, she may again take a proud stand among the powers of the earth. That such may be the case, should be the prayer not of the Philhellene alone, but of every Philanthropist, of every Christian; for the independence of Greece is not to release her children alone from the thraldom of the Turks; but it will open the door for the advance of liberty, of civilization, and of Christianity into the East. * Only a part of the whole Greek population has been able to join in the revolt; it is difficult to ascertain the number of the actual insurgents; it certainly has never amounted to more than two millions. INDEX. BOOK FIRST. CHAP. 1. Causes of the Insurrection-Spread of knowledge among the Greeks-Com- CHAP. II. The Hetarists select Ipselanti to excite and head the Insurrection-He crosses CHAP. III. Extension of the Insurrection-Assembly at Calamata-Arrival of Demetrius CHAP. IV. Blockade of Tripolitza continued-State of the Army-Battle of Kaki Scarlar- Page 14 CHAP. V. Ipselanti leaves the Camp-Progress of the Siege of Tripolitza-Bobolina- Page BOOK SECOND. CHAP. I. Review of the progress of the Insurrection-First National Assembly-Decia- . 71 CHAP. II. The President Mavrocordato prepares to invade Epirus-Pushes on to Komboti CHAP. III. Scio-The peaceable character of its Inhabitants-Forced into revolt by the CHAP. IV. Situation of Napoli di Romania-Blockaded by the Greeks-Turks capitulate CHAP. V. Ulysses-Drami Ali Pashaw attempts to regain the Argolis-is defeated-Con- 85 96 113 12 BOOK THIRD. CHAP. I. Review of the Progress of Events-Parties-National Assembly at Astros- CHAP. II. Turkish Operations in Greece-Opposed by Ulysses-Siege of Corinth-It sur- a CHAP. III. Candia-Revolt in that Island-Tombazi appointed to direct it-Turkish cru- Page 139 149 159 BOOK FOURTH. CHAP. I. Arrival of Lord Byron in Greece-His feelings-Opinions about Greece- CHAP. II. The Islanders gain the ascendancy; and the Presidency of Conduriotti be- CHAP. III. Egyptian expedition sails for Greece-Opposed by the Greek fleet-Gallant 173 · 193 206 |