The National Register.
London, England, 1821-10-14 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

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PARIS, OCT. 7.—A letter from Barcelona of the
QYd September states, that the contagion increases,
but heavy rains had Olen during the three last
days, which had purified the atmosphere so as to
give hopes that the violence of the fever would be
abated. The fauxbourg of Bareelonetta has been
entirely evacuated, and the sick have been removed
to a convent situated on one of the hills adjoinii,
the town. It was said that the municipality had
quitted the town, but this letter affirms that they
are still at their p; st.
The corlon of troops at the extremity of the plain
has been brought close to the walls and gates of
Barcelona. This measure will he attended with a
double advantage—it will prevent the departure of
any persons from the town, and keep in cheek those
who are disposed to plunder their fellow-citizens.
The last courier from Catalonia 'wings no bad
accounts of the state of health in the country be-
tween Barcelona and our frontiers. The sanatory
cordon formed on our mountains is very vigilant; a

smuggler who attempted to pass the line was shot,
and died On the spot. His corpse was immediately
burnt with his clothes and every thing en his per-
son. 'flits example is to be lamented, bat unfortu-
nately it is become absolutely necessary. Every
precaution is taken, and the measures so welt exe-
cuted, that it is scarcely possible the contagion
should e%tend beyond our frontiers.
Six ships, having on board a great number of
Frenchmen who had embarked at Barcelona for
Marseilles, did not wish to pett::rm quarantine at
Pomegue, because at the time they hail arrived there
the e.llow kver was at the Lazaretto. These ships,
however, requested leave to disembark at Coßiotin!,
but the authorities would not grant it, Nrutitting
them, however, to do quarantine at a little distance
from that place.
A great number of Spanish smugglers have made
an attempt to Mrce the cordon established near Fort
Bellegarde, and were repulsed with the lass of three
or flair men ; the bodies were burnt, as also the goods
which they left behind them.
A letter from Ax, dated the 28th ult. states, that
some Spaniards were about to enter France 1~7 the
valley of A ndorre, on which the inhabitants rose en
inasse, and vigorously resisted their intention. The
Prefect of L'Arriege, at their request, tuts sent some
troops to that place to strengthen the cordon. An
individual, who hail male his way into France
across the mountains, has been taken and conducted
to the Lazrretto.
• GasEca.—Etigland is certainly the country of
Europe which has for many years maintained the
most intimate and most extensive intercourse with
Greece. Independently of commercial relations,
enthusiasm and curiosity have induced a multitude
of British subjects to visit Greece, the fertile regions
of historical and classical recollections. Those who
travelled with effect have brought back with them
the result of their researches, and presented them to
the world in must valuable works. In no country is
modern Greece better known than in England, and
it is well known the high estimation in which an-
cient Greek literature is held. How can any one
be indiGrent to the cause of Grecian liberty, in a
country which ressymds with the sublime and fitsci-
Dating lays of Lord Byron, that ardent and noble
advocate tin• the regeneration of a country which he
has traversed as a philosopher as well as a poet?
How can any one behold the sufferings of Hellas
with a; athy that can read in the original the melan-
choly descriptions of Childe ilaroldc or his fervid
a!locutions ? " They are unworthy of the name of
Greek," exclaims that youthful poet, " who talk of
fighting, and at the saute time submit to the peace
of boadag,c, and win), satisfied with deploring in si-
lence the loss of liberty, present themselves before
the r tyrants, with a smile upon their countenance,
end, instead of the sword of vengeance, arm their
servile bands only with the impletnents of drudgery.
The tomb of the Athenian," the noble poet observes
(in speaking of Themistoclea), " glimmers upon the
rack,—the mariner making liar the harbour in his
bark, salutes it,—it reigns over the country which
the illustrious citizen iirrmerly saved. When will
such another here exist ?" • Who in England is ig-
norant of that prusupdp of the poet who compares
G %rem to the hsly of a beautiful female whom
death loath stricken without decoinp-ming it. " What
c as is this," he says in addressing the Greeks—
"is it not the gulf, the ruck of Saturnine? You
know the history of these noble pluces—cause them
t • be revered,—rise,—dig up the ashes of your un-
evstors. seek among them sparks of tlnn sacred fire
which inflamed them. Those who fell in the glo-
that struggle will join to their names a new name
wh.ch tyranny can never hear without trembling.
Thry will inspire their children with exalted ideas,
and they will transmit to posterity that heaven-born
pride which prefers death to dishonour." Lord
Byrona intelligent fellow-traveller, Mr. Hobhouse,
his published his travtlsirs Greece, a work distia-
tubbed fur the accuracy and clearness with which

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THE NATIONAL REGISTER

every subject is treated. This work has obtained
the greatest success in Germany, where it has been
translated. The tour of Dr. Holland in the lonian
Islands, Albania, Thessaly, and Macedonia, merits
no less admiration. Capt. Martin Leake's researches
in Greece constitute the most perti2ct work which
has yet appeared in Europe on the literature and
language of the modern Greeks and Souhots. In
this excellent perfOrmanec we find the elements of
grammars adapted to the present times. It would
be a great acquisition to Lave a version of the mate-
rials necessary for a modern Greek grammar, which
studious France waits fir with impatience. Finally,
England possesses in Sir \V. Drummond, Sir 'W.
Hamilton, Dr. Clark, Lord Aberdeen, Sir W. Gel!,
writers well qualified to enlighten their countrymen
on the situation of Greece, and to inspire thou with
• a lively interest in her destiny.