The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-11-23 00:00:00

To the EDITOR of The BRITISII PRESS.

Stit—The inclosed short sketch was written about
twenty months ago, since which period events have
taken place, which add to the importance of the
subject, and enhance its political interest. The
foundation of the 11lyrion provinces by Bonaparte,
in consequence of the treaty of Vienna, appears to
be the first step to the restoration• of the Grecian
empire, therein contemplated ; and after the lapse
of an long ■ space of time, as has occurred since
this essay was written, it is even now scarcely pos-
sible to advert to a point more vi►ally affecting the
British empire, than that upon which it treats.
w. J.

HINTS ON GREECE.

Whoever has marked, with an attentive eye, the
progress of Bonaparte, must have observed; that be-
sides pursuing that ordinary course of conquest and
acquisition, which inordinate ambition never fails to
inspire, he is actuated by a romantic passion for the
restoration of ancient names at, states, and an
ardent desire to link his name to these, as their
second founder. The new-formed kingdoms of
Etruria sn Westphalia; the Irou Ctown of Char-
lemagne, and the Sword of Francis the First, are
'all proofs of his devotion to this ruling 'passion, and
we may fairly conjecture, that the iufluence which
has hitherto governed this Comet, in its course, will
still continue to direct its progress. Believing,
then, that Bonaparte would even- overstep the
bounds of sound discretion, for the glory of resus-
citating, iu name and boundaries, any famous em-
pire of antiquity; how much more are we to sup'.
pose be weald be world in the accomplishment of
such an object, when it is reconcilable with the
dictates-of the best policy, and accordant with all
his other designs and wishes. When not only the
fame of restoring the most celebrated portion of the
world, to its former dignity, but the benefit of ex-
tending his maritime power, are centred in the
same object, we cannot doubt of its being enhanced
in value, and by many degrees recommended to his
meet unremitting attention.
Such is the state of Greece, which, in the ap-
pronehing partition of Turkey, offers a fair field for
all that the chivalry sr ambition of Nikpoleoo could
suggest. Here be at one sweep may embrace the
wholocircle of the coasts of Europe, and reign sole
master, from the Baltic to the Dardauelles. By
thistthe route I. India is more open than by any
other accession of territory. In the numberless
islands that form the Archipelago, as well as the
cluster called the Seven Islands, in the lonian step,
he will find thousands of seamen", and vast quanti-
ties of naval stores and materials. for ship-building.
And, independent of an these groat advantages for
present political purposes, when we consider that he
will also have it in his power to gratify his utmost
vanity in the restoration ofGreece,we cannot hesitate,
for a moment, in supposing that this is an event, for
the fulfilment of which he would ran any risk,
and make any sacrifice. Austria may be gratified
with Bosnia and pert of Wallachia. Russia, with
the other half of Wallachia and Moldavia, to in-
duce them to acquiesce in the transfer of Dalinatia
and Greece to Frattee. Servia will for some time
be permitted to exist as an independent state ; and
• the race of Or °unmans may, perhaps. be allowed

Y

to *risk] a slorteard sceptre over Bulgaria, Ronielia
surd the Asiatic provinces. Casting our eye upon
the map, it immediately strikes us, that France is
the only yes' gainer by this partition of the Turkish
empire. She alone acquires an effective popula-
tion mid physical strength, while Russia only adds
asi unproductive territory to her already overgrown
empire ; and Atietrii is extending her boundaries
towards the eaat of Europe, merely to make room
for the encroachments of France on the western
and most valuable side of her hereditary states.
These considerations, in the present stitt, of in-
certitotle in which we are with respect to the French
aid Spanish fleets, ought to call for the earnest
atteuttou of Government. It may be thought hy-
pothetical to journey is search of the danger all
the way to the Archipelago, while the more osten-
sible objcet of the enemy's designs can be found in
Sicily. We acknowledge that Sicily is a fair and
iruliortant ground on winch to rest our conjectures
as to the intentions of Bonaparte ; lout we ought
nc‘er to forget, that, in his crooked politics, the most
apparently direct object is in general the one where
we are least to expect the bolt to fall. How easy
would it .be, while our Commanders are etnii,itig
theinsels:es with the security and defence of S.eily,
for the squadrons of the enemy in the Mediter-
ranean to hold on their coarse to the ancient Cy-
clades, destroy all that is left of our Levant trade,
mud make a diversion iu the South, while Turkey
is winking under the complicated attacks of her
other foes in the North?

These hints are thrown together wire for the
purpose of coiling attention to this object, than as
watering fully upou its investigation. It is of vast
importance, wad .eems to Fs overlooked in the
anxiety of the public concerning the No►th of
Europe—which, however, it of very inferior con•
si,leration, whcu outstrosted with oar dangers from
the South.

P.S.—liciug ,amicable tenon trlthl'ulkey,
read»rs the prevent mouteut more auspicious thsio
any other.

" Tfineetlis doe, sad saw the Use."