The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-27 00:00:00

LIFE IN SMYRNA.

SMYRNA, JUNE 14.
•
The medical officers have but little duties to per-
: form, for their patients are nearly all convalescent,
and there appears to be no immediate prospect of
the arrival of time. The deaths, few in number,
ensue from internal organic diseases of long stand-
ing, of which the commonest is consumption ; there
are very few cases of fever in the building. The
weather continues fine. Thermometer, 75 to 80
• deg.; barometer, 30. It is now dangerous for any
one to take a ride or a walk without carrying a re-
volver, and it is better for four or five to go.in
company, for bands of robbers have made their ap-
pearance close to the town, and have commenced
their campaign in earnest.
Last Sunday afternoon Mr. Macgraith, an Eng-
lish surgeon resident in Smyrna, was riding through
Bournabat, a pretty village four miles off, chiefly
occupied by tho merchants, on his way to visit a
patient, when a gang of armed men sprang upon
him, tore him from his horse, and effected his cap-
ture in a masterly way. He told them that he was
an English doctor, to which the leader replied he
was just the man they wanted ; that they had
been, in fact, waiting for the very opportunity, add-
ing, " Your of a Queen has done our co-reli-
gionists much harm, and we shall make the English
colonel and the English doctors at the hospital pay
for your. release." Seven or other captures were
then made between 6 and 7 p.m., but the fellows
were content with robbing the several parties of
their arms, purses, and watches, and letting them
go. Two only were carried up the hills—namely,
Mr. Macgraith and Mr. Manuk, for the release of
whom 3,0001. was demanded in a polite note
sent shortly after to Mr. Witthall, of Bour-
nabat, near to whose house these events had
taken place. Some English who happened. to be
dining there proposed an immediate pursuit, but
a sufficient forte could not be mustered ; Mr.
Goolden therefore rode over to Smyrna to report
to Colonel Storks, who instantly demanded an
audience of the Pacha, and insisted upon steps
being taken on the spot for the 'liberation of the
prisoners. About midnight a mounted party, con-
sisting of Colonel Storks, his aide-de-camp, and the
greater part' of the medical officers, Harriet Bey,
.chief of the police, some cavasses, and Turkish
soldiers, started for Bounarbashi, a small village
one mile from Bournabat, and at the foot of the
mountains. in this district the bandits have re-
mained in greater or less force up to the present
time; but, although one or two encounters have
taken place, and some wounds inflicted, the unfor-
tunate Mr. Macgraith has not been set at liberty.
For nearly a week he has been dragged from one
mountain fastness to another, worn out in body
and anxious for his fate. He has a wife ar I family
resident in Smyrna. It is said, but I know not
upon what authority, that Mr. Manuk has es-
caped. It is also reported that Mr. Macgraith
has been killed, but this is not believed. An
emissary. has been despatched by the family to
offer 4001. for bis release ; but a much larger sum
is forthcoming if necessary. This man, has not yet
returned, and until his arrival nothing certain can
be known of either the robbers or their victim.
It is now ascertained that these ruffians are on
the look out for some of the officers of the civil
medical staff, from whom they expect to get a large
ransom. One or two of these gentlemen have re-
ceived private intimation that it will be wise for
them to avoid unnecessary exposure even so near
as the Castle-hill, 'for from that point to Budja
the whole country is occupied by these -unscrupu-
lous ruffians. The medical officers ran a great risk
a few nights ago, when a ball was given at Budja
in the house of a Mr. Werreg. The robbers con-
templated coming in force into the village and
effecting a capture during the. fete, but the inten-
tion was abandoned from a little want of organisa-
tion, and a few days afterwards their scene of action
was shifted from Budja to Bournabat, where the
country, more hilly and wooded, offers aL ready
means of escape.

The medical officers have acted with much spirit.
Those who could be spared from duty turned out at
once under Colonel Storks' command, then rode
over at midnight to the district where these bri-
gands were known to he hiding. They were so
close upon the track that nothing except false in-
formation could have hindered success. Theyforced
their horses through brushwood and over rocks to
the summit of the mountain pointed out as the
thieves' retreat, and it is new believed that a deep
ravine alone separated them at one time from the
objects of their search. _

SATURDAY, June 15.

The robbers have escaped, carrying with them
poor Mr. Mabgraith, for whose fatest the greatest
anxiety is felt. The shepherd sent by the family
with the ransom. money has returned, after an un-
successful search, and it is not known whether the
pursuit should be directed towards Nymfi or the
Two Brothers (mount4ns on the loft of the Gulf of
Smyrna.) In the latter place, a favourite robber
haunt, there are caverris where a captive might be
imprisoned without a chance of being found for
years. The country is excessively wild, although
bold and interesting, and once a favourite spot for
sportsmen. lam sorry to say that Dr. Ranke has
been bruised, but not badly, by a fall from his
horse. He is staying at Bournabat, in the house
of Dr. Wood. The other gentlemen have returned
to Smyrna.

Mary rumours are of course afloat, to some of
which lam unwilling to attach credence. It is,
however, stated that political feelings have some-
thing to do with these disturbances. Parties of
low Greeks have been heard in the cabarets in high
glee, drinking success to the robbers, and there
have been of late, upon more than one. occasion,
expressions of rudeness in the streets. These feel-
ings of disrespect and animosity are not lessened
by the news of the recent successes of the combined
fleets in the Sea of Azoff. Every victory produces
an increased amount of bitterness.

Respecting the hospital I have nothing further to
add. Between 200 and 300 beds are ready for the
immediate reception of patients, and much more
room could be made by the dismissal of conva-
lescents. A considerable proportion of the medical
staff could be spared for duty elsewhere, and would,
I apprehend, volunteer to serve wherever they
were required by Government. Half the present
staff would be quite sufficient for the wants of the
Smyrna Hospital.
The following are the names of men who have
died in the Smyrna Hospital from the 9th to the
15th of June :
Private 3 Thomas Lee, 88th Regiment, plithisis, June 10 ;
and William Godfrey, 19th Regiment, phtbisis, June 13.