that their enemies may no longer have dominion over them. These considerations lead me to apprehend, that so oppressed a class of men have not only claims on the sympathy, but the direct interposition of Britons to stop the effusion of human blood, whose ears are ever open to the cries and distresses of suffering humanity, however far removed by distance and language. Albion, which stands higher in the scale than all the other nations, has within herself a thunder of power, not only to strike terror and chastise, but exterminate the despotic authors of these savage and atrocious enormities, which have made so indelible a stain on the page of history, and visited on this most inoffensive of all people perhaps on the face of the earth. It appears to me with deference highly expedient, that the whole of the Greek islands should be consolidated into one active power or form of government, either of a monarchical or republican nature, and suited to the antient recollection of her high importance and distinction; and it is most clearly the interest of Great Britain to lend her prompt and powerful assistance to struggling patriots, to establish the principles of their liberty, religion, and political importance. I presume few entertain a doubt that Englishmen cherish in their heart any affection for the followers of Mahomet. Notwithstanding this, it is obvious that some partiality and protection is shewn on the part of Britain to that country, and no doubt in the view of its constituting a formidable barrier against the strides of a colossal power in the north. Hence may arise one cause for Britain refusing to take a decided part with the Greeks in the present contest. On the other hand may it not be asked has England in reality no interest whatever in such a country as Greece? and is it to be considered a void or blank on the map of the world? The answer I should apprehend is that she has objects of magnitude at stake, since Greece would prove a most valuable acquisition to her, not only in a political and commercial point of view, but the Ionian possessions would thereby be further strengthened, and a most important ally secured. No serious apprehensions could be expected from the Turks by any interference on our part so long as we have the wooden walls of old England to act as emergencies required. In fine should that period arrive when the Turkish Power will be annihilated by Russia, it is a possible case that the Greeks, in the event of receiving no assistance at present from Britain as a liberator, will cleave to that power. On the other hand, in the event of England stretching forth her powerful arm and co-operating with these struggling patriots towards their effectual emancipation, and ranking her as an acknowledged power in the scale of nations, the natural conclusion is, that she will firmly adhere to this country as her benefactor and ally, and unite in opposing the strides of Russia, if these should be found of that nature, dangerous to the interests of Great Britain. On the whole, most devoutly is it to be wished that these Ottoman barbarians, who are a disgrace to the human race, were altogether rooted out; but on the supposition their Capital should be wrested from them, it will be found to be a question of no ordinary importance to determine on that particular power which should be put in possession of it. Should Constantinople fall into the hands of Russia, who is already sufficiently formidable, she will wave her flag and have dominion over the Mediterranean. On arriving at the convent of Larnica a singular event had just occurred. The wife of a seaman in the neighbourhood was prematurely delivered of a still-born child, having two heads and four hands. The mother did not long survive the birth, and both were conveyed to this establishment, and interred in the chapel by the benevolent friars. 1 CHAP. XXXIV. DEPARTURE FROM CYPRUS. VOYAGE. PREACH CHRISTIANS. APOSTLE RHODES. PAUL'S VISIT. SAMOS. — PYTHAGORAS. PATMOS. ATION. - PESTILENCE. DUTCH LEPER. I EMBARKED at the port of Larnica in a small miserable vessel, filled with Turks and Arabs, some of the latter were almost in a total state of nudity, and skirted along the western shore of the island of Cyprus, having a distinct view of Paphos, now called Baffa. I regretted the impracticability of landing to visit this interesting spot, although at a short distance from it, as the captain had formed a resolution to avail himself of the favorable state of the wind, to prosecute the voyage to Smyrna. This place, which was at one period the metropolis of the island, is pleasantly situated at the foot of a mountain, directly in front of the sea. Here, in preference to all other parts of the island, higher acts of adoration were at one time offered to the goddess Venus, as an object of idolatry. The temple was demolished by Barnabas, on the introduction of Christianity. It has however been more highly distinguished by St. Paul having taken up his residence here with his fellow labourer, and preaching the gospel. By his peculiar eloquence and persuasion, he attracted the attention of a person vested with authority. An attempt however having been made through the artifices of another, to draw aside this man from a belief in the doctrines which the apostle had promulgated, it called forth in strong language, his marked indignation, followed by demonstrative proof of the power with which he was armed from Heaven, and exercised in depriving this opposing adversary of his sight.* An event so remarkable struck terror into the minds of many people, and produced a firm belief in their hearts of the truth of the doctrine, preached by this chosen vessel of Jesus Christ.+ From this island St. Paul proceeded in the spirit to other parts in the prosecution of his commission, particularly to Samos‡, publishing to the ignorant the forgiveness of sins through Christ, and also persuading those who had become converts to the faith, to continue in the grace of God. After I had been tossed about and driven back by contrary winds for some days in a dreadful storm, I came in sight of the lofty mountains of the island, antiently celebrated, not only on account of their fertility and productions, but for giving birth to persons renowned for their peculiar talents. No one was perhaps more distinguished than Pythagoras, a man of the most enlightened and philosophical mind; he excelled in every branch of science, teaching principles of morality by lectures, and exhibiting in his own deportment, their purity and efficacy, and from his famous school sprung persons eminent and illustrious. To his honor it must be admitted, that he was the first of the sages who taught the immortality of the soul, and the unity of a supreme God, who required to be worshipped in truth and humility of heart. It is not however to be presumed, that he acquired such a knowledge of the Almighty altogether by the force of his own reason, as Sceptics pretend to be practicable, since it is known he was a traveller, and no doubt visited the city of Jerusalem, which, to a person of his powerful genius, must have appeared one of the most interesting places in the world, from its splendid, unrivalled temple, and the peculiarity of worship offered up within its walls. It does not appear to be contended by those who have candidly examined his philosophy, that the knowledge which the founder of it * Acts xiii. 9. 11. + Id.xiii. 9. 12. + Id. xx. 15. taught, was so much the result of his own reflections, as of the advantages he must have enjoyed in the course of his journies. Although the title of philosopher may comprehend something of a high intellectual superiority, yet it was assumed by Pythagoras under a more modest appellation than that of either the wise man or the sage, which the humble schoolmasters were, prior to his days, in the habit of adopting. I next arrived at Rhodes, and anchored at the mouth of the harbour, over which it is said the enormous colossal statue of brass stood, one hundred feet in elevation, and where vessels might pass under its extended feet. I landed and walked about the town, which bears evident traces of its former grandeur and consequence, and is supposed to have anciently exceeded all ideas that could be entertained of earthly grandeur. It is strongly fortified. At one time this island was in possession of the Knights of Malta, who lived here in great splendour for a period of two hundred years. After a desperate resistance it was captured in 1522, when the king of Spain presented them with the island of Malta as an asylum. There are the ruins of many fine edifices, which were inhabited by the order, with coats of arms in front. The Christian inhabitants, although permitted to carry on business during the day within the walls, are obliged to retire in the evening to their respective habitations, situated without the town. It has also to boast of being honoured with the presence of the great Apostle of the Gentiles, in the course of his journey for the propagation of Christianity. There is an establishment here for the reception of persons afflicted with leprosy. The most striking objects are the remains of a noble tree, the branches of which at one period were so extensive as to afford shade to fifty shops. After being thrown into a state of alarm from suspicions entertained that the plague had broken out, I departed with all possible expedition, and when on board the vessel was much annoyed by the restless Arabs. I was alarmed lest in their * Acts xxi. 1. |