The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-08-17 00:00:00

TURKEY.

A private fetter from the banks of the Mein, in-
serted in the Gazelle of Augsburg, contains some
details concerning Turkey, from which the follow-
ing is an extract 7.-
44 The master of Constantinople might easily
seize upon Egypt. ft is thence evident that if the
Turks Were to follow the spirit of the tog*, they
might become mastersof the conunerce of the East.
Who does not recta to mind what Egypt was in the
days of old I History informs us that attempts
have often been made to unite the Red Sea to the
Mediterranean by means of a canal, sad we know
with certainty that Ptolemy-Pliiladelphee built the
city of Berenice, on the Red Sea, and that it be-
came the entrepot of the commerce of the 'lndies.
The trade pursued by Egypt would undoubtedly
destroy that which is pursued by the Cape of Good
Hope, because the latter route is move tedious end
expensive than one by Alexandria, and England is
well aware that she owes her commercial prosperity
in India to the ignorance and prejudices of the Ala-
hometans. The Turkish Government has never
known how to take advantage of its great resources.
England is also aware that every other Goverumeut
would quickly destroy her commerce; it is her in-
terest therefore to preserve the power of the Turk.,
because so long as it continues she will not fear to
line India.
" Such was the cause of the anxiety evinced by
England when Napoleon took possession of Egypt.
The succours which she afkirdted to the Turks had
no other object thrill to divert the blow with which
her commerce was menaced. As England ewuW.
not run the chance of making herself mistress of the
Turkish provinces, even when her power would
enable her to seize ripen them, because all Europe
would arm *pinto her, it is her policy that they
should remain under the dominion. of the Turk.,
and in the very coudition in which they are at
present.

" Russia has long been suspected of entertain-
ing hostile in►entions agiiiist Turkey, mid it is with
reference to this that we meet examine all the mes.
sures which she pursues. •Aultrio would not, per-
haps. be sorry also to extend her power on the
Turkish side, but ■s she cannot do so alone, she
will perhaps be restrained by the fear that her Ally
may become too powerful. France, under exist-
ing, circumstance., is perhaps less interested than
■ny or the other Powers in the preservation of
Turkey ; whatever may he the form of govern-
ment established in that country, France will still
maintain with it the same relations p bat it iv of
importance to her that no other Power should seize
upon it, aml so overturn the political balance of
Europe.
" If the Greeks succeed in bursting their chains
and establishing their independence, it is probable
that one day they will become a powerful initial,
for the climate of Greece is the cradle of genius.
Sot it is to be feared that the policyof several

Cabinets, and especially that of England, will op-
pose it, for the Turks owe their existence solely to
the divergence of the interests of the different
Powe►s, and to their little weight in the political
balance. We may therefore compare Greece to •
forbidden fruit, which every person would wish to
gather, bet none dares to touch. It is given up to
the protection of barbarians, that it might uot be-
come au apple of discord, nor arrive at maturity
by its native strength. We ought therefore to weep
over the fate of the Greeks, and to lament that
policy is not always in accordance witb the prin-
ciples of justice •od Isiunsnity."