considerable stock of verses on hand, for which he would be glad to find a purchaser. Many of them are said to be delightfully composed, but they are likely to be lost for ever. I cannot imagine a more interesting sight than such a character as this, possessed of undoubted talent, and conscious of his powers, but sensible that he must sink into the grave unpitied and unknown. Were I to stay here, I would endeavour to give him à chance of obtaining the fame for which he languishes without hope, by setting on foot a subscription for printing some of his odes.

The two antient nations which have affected to the greatest extent the condition of mankind in Europe, are the Greeks and the Jews: the former by their literature, and the latter by their religion, but the sentiments of the former have ever been at variance with those of the latter. The religion of the Jews, as perfected in Christianity, teaches only peace and good-will to man, and countenances no opinion of a vindictive tendency, but claims the practice of manners and duties that will promote the repose and felicity of the world. The literature of the Greeks exalts into

virtues those qualities which are calculated to

make war admirable for its own sake, and praises those exploits, which, undertaken for private motives, are justly held to be great crimes. Do you think if a poem of equal genius to the Iliad had been composed in its place, and had been as derogatory to the military character as the master-piece of mankind is the reverse, that martial glory would, at this time, have been held in so much esteem? I think not. It was a happy thought of Milton to represent the heathen deities as so many devils, who opposed by practical influence the will and pleasure of Heaven. If there can be a new epic poem composed, which shall have charms enough to counteract the spirit of the Iliad, the theme must be, something else than war.

Yours, &c.

340

LETTER XLIV.

MYCONI, June 5.

I AVAIL myself of the opportunity of a vessel about to sail for Malta, to send you my journal. By way of conclusion, I may as well give you some account of the general impression left on my mind of the state of the countries, and the condition of the people, that I have happened to visit.

Albania and the Morea differ from barbarous countries only in this, that civilization in them appears to have gone past. In the wild regions of America, if travellers discover symptoms of change, they are those of improvement; and if society be found there more savage than in any part of Europe, it is still but in a stage which the most refined people has passed through. The reverse is the case with those two provinces. Ruins every where appear as the monuments of a prosperity and a refinement now no more, and society has

mournfully realized the fable of Sisyphus. Still, however, I think that the stone, if not again in motion upward, has rested from its descent. Both in Albania and in the Morea succeeding travellers may be gratified with the visible effects of the security that has been introduced by the family of Ali Pashaw, although it has been accompanied with circumstances of incredible severity.

From the Isthmus of Corinth, and throughout the territory of Athens, the comparison does not apply with the same force; nor, though the country is greatly changed from its former splendour, does it inspire the same cast of reflexions. Attica, as a rural province, may still be visited with comparative pleasure.

Of Asia I have as yet seen so little, that it would be presumption in me to draw any general conclusions, the more especially as I feel myself at present rather inclined to differ from others who have had better opportunities of forming a fuller opinion. The islands are certainly in every respect superior to those within the European line, and it is among them only that the Greeks are seen to advantage. They enjoy all their antient liberty, and it is more owing to the negligence of

other countries, than to the conduct of the Turks, 1 that they do not also possess more than all their antient wealth.

Though the Turks are the masters of Greece, yet, as they bear but a small proportion to the ́whole population, my attention was comparatively little directed towards them. Europe is not the proper country of that people. In their sentiments, conduct, and character, they have little in common with the other inhabitants. The Turk in Asia is very different from what he is in Europe. In Europe, he appears a stranger, nay more, a soldier on duty, jealous of stratagems, and fully under the pride-inspiring influence of the authority with which he is invested. In Asia he is more tame. He feels himself at home. He is there industrious and patient; and though the arrogance and reserve of his nature are still unrestrained, he possesses many respectable qualities. He not only regards his own house as his castle, but that of his neighbour as a sanctuary into which he ought never, uninvited, to intrude. The contempt in which he holds the Christians, is less owing to the bigotry inculcated by the Mahomedan faith; than to the absurdities of worship into