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blockaded by the Greek forces, amounting to about 5000 ill-armed and not very well-disciplined troops. The Greeks occupied the adjacent heights; and as the Turkish cavalry were gradually ruined for want of forage, they proceeded to occupy the plain, and to draw the blockade closer, by posting themselves in the hamlets round the town. The place is modern, irregularly constructed with crooked and narrow streets; it is surrounded by a wall of masonry, nine feet high, and six feet thick, furnished with a double row of ill contrived loop-holes. There are demi-towers on the wall, where cannon were placed, many of them honeycombed, and mounted on loose blocks of wood. The town is, besides, commanded from a rocky eminence near it. The besiegers also lay under great disadvantages. Their troops would not submit to any regular discipline; their artillery was in the worst possible state; they had only four cannon, two mortars, and three or four light brass field-pieces. They wanted ammunition, fascines, and every thing necessary for a siege;

the soldiers would not work with

the spade or pick-axe in the entrenchments; and though not deficient in zeal, would do nothing except in their own way. The Greeks were here joined by Mr Gordon of Cairness, who came in a vessel loaded with cannon, arms, and ammunition, and whose presence was a great accession to the Greek cause. Some French and Italian officers were also brought to the camp by Prince Mavrocordato; but their skill was greatly impeded by the distraction of counsels which prevailed among the Greek leaders, some of whom could not be made to understand the advantages of European discipline and science. It may be easily imagined, that in these circumstances the siege proceeded slowly. Many skirmishes took place, and some serious and well-contested actions, in which blood flowed profusely. The besieged suffered all the extremities of famine; and negociations commenced for the surrender of the place, which were protracted, however, by the Turks, in the hope of being relieved, when the following accident happened, which sealed the fate of this

unfortunate place. It is described by Mr Blaquiere in the following terms:

On Friday, the 5th of October, a capitulation is said to have been verbally agreed upon, but scarcely was it concluded when a fortuitous circumstance rendered the compact of no avail, and brought on a terrible catastrophe. A few Greek soldiers having approached the gate of Argos, entered into conversation with the Turkish sentinels, and began as usual to barter fruit. The Turks were imprudent enough to assist them in mounting the wall, with a large basket of grapes, in exchange for which they gave their arms; but no sooner had the Greeks gained the summit, than they hurled down the unguarded Mahometans: opened the gate, the only one that was walled up, to their comrades, and displayed the standard of the Cross above it. When this emblem was perceived from the camp, it acted like an electric shock; the whole Christian army instantly rushed from all sides to the assault, and the disorder once begun could not be stopped, for the Turks immediately opened a brisk fire of cannon and small arms upon them from the citadel and ramparts. The principal Greek officers, who certainly could not have re

strained their men, were drawn away by the torrent: Colocotroni was one of the

last to hear what was passing, and as he would not deign to follow the steps of any other captain, he determined to force a passage for himself, so that his troops suffered severely. After the gates were broken down and the walls scaled, a furious struggle was maintained in the streets and houses; but the Peloponne sians, flushed with victory, and spurred on by vengeance were irresistible, and before sunset all opposition was quelled in the blood of the unfortunate Moslems. The citadel, where a large body of Turks had taken refuge, having held out till the following evening, surrendered at discretion.

No quarter was of course either given or taken in this terrible onset, and about 6000 Turks are said to have perished in this assault. The Greeks have been exposed to much severe invective on account of this massacre; yet when the circumstances are duly considered, however horrible, and however deeply to be regretted, we do not see that any other result could possibly be expected. Let us consider for a moment the situation of the two parties, engaged as they had long been in desperate competition for the same

object, their minds heated with mutual contention, the Greeks in particular long the passive victims of Turkish cruelty, and now all at once seeing their enemies at their feet, after a long and doubtful assault; could we in these circumstances look for a temperate use of victory? Need we wonder that the sword was deeply bathed in the blood of the fallen enemy? We may regret these things; but they need not surprise any one who looks to the past history of mankind. In the wars, to be sure, between civilized states, those atrocities cannot take place, because both parties equally abhor them. But the Turkish barbarians have neither refinement nor humanity. They

put to death, indiscriminately, every Greek who falls into their power; they are the authors of those cruelties; and it is not surely to be won dered at, nor need the Greeks be so violently condemned for having retaliated part of their unutterable crueltics on their own heads-for having commended the poisoned chalice of their own cruelty and injustice to their own lips.

Great exertions had been made by the Turks for the relief of Tripolizza; and in the month of August four Pashas had advanced with 5000 men from Thessaly and Macedonia, with a view of forcing a passage through the defiles of Thermopole, and uniting with the Ottoman troops at Thebes and Athens, to enter the Morea and attack the besieging army of the Greeks. They were met, however, by a small Greek corps, advantageously posted in the defiles of the high road leading to Livadia, and after a well-fought action, in which the Greeks gave way at first, and were with difficulty rallied, they were totally defeated. After this action the Turks did not attempt to make good their advance. Their fleet, however, which was now on the south shore of the Morea, coast ed along, provisioning the differ ent fortresses, which were blockad ed, and levelling and burning such of the towns as were occupied by the Greeks. They were watched, though ineffectually, by Ipsilanti's corps, and they at last directed their attack against the small commercial town of Galaxidi, on the northern

shore of the Gulph of Lepanto, which they battered with all the power of their artillery, the_brave inhabitants resisting desperately under the most fearful odds. Ipsilanti's army was looking on from the opposite shore of the gulph; they heard the heavy firing, which at length suddenly ceased, when, as our author remarks, "a mingled cloud of flame and black smoke, ascending to heaven, told but too severely the fate of Galaxidi." The Algerines, landing from the fleet for the sake of plunder, pillaged and set fire to the town; and "its blazing ruins,” our author mentions, "continued for two or three successive nights, to shed a lurid and melancholy light over the waters of Lepanto." To counterbalance this misfortune, the Grecks took several fortified places, such as Anta, on the 5th of Decem ber, after a desperate struggle, and Corinth on the 27th of February. They were also continuing the blockade of the other fortified places, such as Patras, Napoli di Romania, &c. with great perseverance, and with every hope of success; they had summoned a congress to assemble at Epidaurus, and were proceeding to organize both their civil and military affairs, when they were menaced by a new and formidable invasion by the Chourschid Pasha of Albania, with an army of 30,000 men. This great army advanced towards Corinth in the beginning of July; and by the 20th its numerous squadrons of cavalry, supported by masses of infantry, were deploying in the plains, and had advanced to within three miles of Argos. Universal consternation now seized all classes. The Greek congress fled to the islands. There was nothing to oppose this force. Colocotroni, who had suddenly broken up from Patras, which he was blockading, and was now present in this important theatre of action, had only 2000 troops under him, part of which he sent to Corinth to occupy the passes into the Morea, and with the other part he joined Ipsilanti at Argos, who had not above 300 men under him. The second division of the Turkish army advanced under Mahmoud, amounting to 10,000 infantry and cavalry; and, to the surprise of every one, this

formidable force entered the fortress of Napoli di Romania, where it loitered three days doing nothing but consuming the scanty stock of forage and provisions. The Greeks were in the meantime extremely active. They strengthened their position among the mountains at Lerna; and, by the continual influx of recruits, their force soon amounted to 8000. Here they watched the favourable moment which they foresaw would arrive, when the Turks, pressed with famine, (the Greeks having driven every thing out of their reach,) would be forced to attempt a retreat under the most disadvantageous circumstances. This long-looked-for signal was at last given, and we have the following account, from Mr Blaquiere, of the interesting operations which followed:

The whole camp was instantly on the alert, and no sooner were the camels laden with the baggage, than the infidel army set forward in great disorder. Minutely informed of what was passing on the plain, by their out-posts, the chiefs at Lerna had already sent off detachments by a mountain path-way, so as to overtake the enemy's columns as they entered the defiles between Corinth and Mycene. Colocotroni himself advanced with the main body the moment he perceived that

ment in order to draw the Greeks into an ambuscade, which, however, failed, and ended in his own defeat, the writer proceeds:

the following day. Determined to reA still more bloody affair took place on gain the position they had abandoned, the Turkish troops were headed by Hådji Ali, second in command to Machmout; this officer, one of the bravest of the Ottoman army, was killed while encouraging his men. In the above desperate effort, the enemy lost nearly two thousand men, together with a large quantity of baggage, and several hundred horses.

The Greeks had not the means of prosecuting this victory so effectually as could have been desired. Its results were nevertheless of great importance, as it gave so decisive a blow to the Ottoman power, while it inspired the Greeks with a corresponding degree of confidence. It led also to the surrender of the fortresses of Napoli di Romania, and Patras, and gave an establishment and a solidity to the Greek cause, which it never had before. In Western Greece, namely in Epirus, there were also some interesting operations, though not of equal importance with those already noticed. Here the Greek cause was endangered by the trea

the Turks were in motion; while a part chery of Gogo, who had a command

of the troops employed before Napoli advanced on their right flank. These movements were so well contrived and executed, that the enemy, whose rearguard had suffered severely on the first day's march, was attacked with such impetuosity on the second, that not less than five thousand were destroyed in the course of a few hours. And had it not been that many of the Greek soldiery paid more attention to the loaded camels than to the fugitives, the loss of the Turks would have been much greater. The fate of the advanced guard was little better than that of their companions. On reaching the defiles near Corinth they were met by the Mainotes, dispatched from Lerna, under Nikitas, and attacked so furiously

that above twelve hundred of them perished in the first onset. Many more were killed in trying to force the passes. great quantity of baggage, and a number

A

of horses, fell into the hands of the Greeks. 'These memorable successes occurred be. tween the 4th and 7th of August.

After mentioning that on the 18th the Pasha, having collected the remains of his force, made a move

VOL. XIV.

in the army. By the suggestions of this Turkish emissary, the troops were led into a most unequal encounter with the enemy, and in the midst of the battle, when the infidels had been repulsed, he basely deserted a village where he was posted, and thus laid bare the position of the Greeks, who, after a desperate conflict, were overwhelmed by superior numbers. Prodigies of valour were, however, performed, and many brave officers here gave the last proof of their devotion to the cause of freedom. Prince Mavrocordato, who disaster, now turned his whole attenwas advancing when he heard of this tion to collect the scattered troops; and it was owing merely to the inactivity of the enemy, that the whole of Western Greece was not overrun, The situation of the Greeks was now, however, sufficiently critical; and their difficulties were aggravated by the desertion of another leader of great wealth and influence in the country. But the Greek leaders seemed to

4 Y

kindle into greater energy with each fresh emergency, and Prince Mavrocordato was still the great bulwark of their cause. A corps of 13,000 men was rapidly advancing, and this gallant leader resolved, with what troops he could collect, to make a last stand for the independence of Greece in the town of Messolunghi. The wretched fortifications of this place were accordingly put into some sort of repair; the few cannon were rendered serviceable; and here a brave handful of Greeks held out against 14,000 Turks. They at last received reinforcements, made several successful sorties, and finally repulsed the Turks with great slaughter, in a general assault, after which, they were assailed on all sides by the armed peasantry, and by fresh bands of Greeks, so that of the force which entered Acarnania, scarcely one half were enabled to make a safe retreat.

No way discouraged by their for mer ill success, the Turks commenced the campaign of 1823 with new and well-appointed armies. This fresh invasion, however, experienced the same fate as all their former attempts. Numbers on one side were opposed by courage and skill on the other. The Greeks excelled in turning to account the natural defences of the country, which gave infinite scope to the tactics of irregular war. In Western Greece, a large body of Turks was defeated in a night attack, conducted with singular talent and courage, and resorted to as the only resource against overwhelming odds. The campaign concluded with the capture of Corinth, and the repulse of the Turks from Anatolica. Our author concludes his narrative of these interesting events, with the following summary:

Such was the end of the third campaign, and such the fate of the formidable armies collected by the Pashas of Scutari and Thessaly. Each of the four divisions which entered Livadia and Epirus was defeated and dispersed, in little

more than four months after it took the field, by a few detached corps: and unaided Greece was once more saved from the horrors to which she would have been

exposed had the enemy triumphed. For it is well known, that the Turkish leaders had orders to carry fire and sword before them, so that the Greeks were fully aware that in this, as in every former campaign,

they had no alternative between victory and extermination.

The Greeks have thus, by their own unaided efforts, amid every difficulty and privation, achieved their independence. There is now little probability that the Turkish hordes will succeed in any new attempt on their independence. Two or three armies have been already sent to perish amid the mountains of this difficult country; the resources of the barbarians are exhausted, those of Greece, on the other hand, are on the increase; while the most invaluable of all resources, namely, confidence, discipline, and experience, have been acquired in the late contests. The volume concludes with remarks on the character of the Greeks, and the resources of the therto been in the hands of the Turks. country, which are great, and have hiAbout nineteen-twentieths of the soil belonged to Turkish proprietors; and the Greeks were banished into the mountains, to make way, in the fruitful vallies, for their barbarian lords. With an industrious and improving population, we may easily see how rich a country Greece is destined to become-what an acquisition it will be to the civilized worldwhat a large addition its improved resources will throw into the circle of will be cast on modern times, by the commercial exchange—what a lustre resurrection of Greece, after its deathlike sleep of ages, into the light of knowledge and freedom! How gratifying to the lover of liberty, to the enthusiast of learning, to see this classical country again become the depository of arts, literature, and science; and how perverted must the minds of those be, who could for a moment dream of interrupting the long era of prosperity which is just dawning on this fine country! We are at a loss to conceive what feeling could possibly be gratified by the success of the barbarous hordes of Turks, in desolating the country, in massacring the inhabitants, or in selling them for slaves. The enlightened Greeks have been too long the sport of these infidel tyrants; and to see them again brought under their accursed yoke, would, we should suppose, only excite throughout Christendom one common and deep feeling of degradation and sorrow.

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba,

A RABBINICAL STORY.

Art lives on Nature's alms, is weak and poor;
Nature herself has unexhausted store;
Wallows in wealth, and runs a turning maze,
That no vulgar eye can trace.-Cowley.

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In youthful beauty and majestic mien;
From east to west none could with her
compare,

No train so splendid, and no face so fair;
The humblest menial in her rich array
In burnish'd gold and glowing purple
gay:

Her camels, conscious of their precious
load,

Rear'd high their lofty necks, and proudly trode ;

Some groan'd beneath a load of golden

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Of fragrant spices, from her sunny vales,
Diffusing odours on the evening gales;
While distant far, these sweets on ether
borne,

Reach'd Salem, wafted on the breeze of
morn,

Till Israel's sons and daughters throng'd
to share

The perfume floating on the ambient air,
Rich as the fragrance of the Phænix' nest,
And thought themselves in Araby the
Blest.

She came, and dazzled every gazer's eye-
Was by the King receiv'd with triumph
high;

Her treasur'd gold and aromatics sweet,
With due respect, were scatter'd at his

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From the fierce lion, ranging for his prey,
To insects sporting in the summer ray ;

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