The Sun.
London, England, 1822-08-03 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

THE COUNCIL OF TEN.—(No. III.)
We take some credit to ourselves for having
been the first to notke the valuable publication
-which has appeared under this title. We an-
nounced the contents of the first number, and I
:should have stated those of the second if more-,
pressing matter had not prevented us.—lt con-
sists chiptly of judicious comments on the RE..
•YIEWS, M kO.I2,INES, and other periodical works'
"of time day. 'We shall recur to that number, but
the strong and universal interest which is at-
' tached to the cause of the GREEKS induces us to
select from the third number of this interesting
',work the following Letter on that important
subject:—
LETTER TO THE REV. DR. MONK,
PROFESSOR OF ORF.EK, IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAM-
_ ___

BRIDGE.
'INTRODUCTION.
The struggle of the Greeks for independence is a passing
evnt of such stupendous interest, that it must be needless to
bespeak for it the attention of the British nation. They, how-
ever, will deserve well of their countrymen, who, on an occa-
sion such as this, can enlighten their views, add something to
their information, and give a proper direction to their sym-
pathy. England' is placed in a position of extreme delicacy;
the question, which regards the best course which she can adopt,
13 one of most difficult decision ; it is, whether she can obey the
first impulses of all humane and generous natures ' or must,he
restrained by maxims of state, and bound down by the iron
chain of coercive circumstances. Whatever England does, or
4omite to do, the eyes of the world must be upon her. Her con-
duct must be a matter-of no ordinary curiosity to the nations of
the Continent ; but to those, who are immediately concerned in.
the present struggle, of intense and soul-exciting anxiety. For
ourselves, as persons who have assumed certain public caps.
cities, and public.duties ; as subjects of the British empire ; as
men, and as Christians ; we cannot look on such occurrences
with an eye of indifference. But our interference will be actu-
ated solely by a desire to see that England pursues measures
the most worthy of herself. It is our wish to promote the true
interests, and maintain the proud character, of the country.
Vv e would not have her honour tarnished, and her name revil-
ed, either from precipitate violence, or from disgraceful for-
,begrance. We would have her, if it be possible, assist the
enure of freedom and humanity ; without breaking her existing
treaties, aggravating her heavy burdens, or compromising her
tranquillity, her dignity, and her good faith. if it be possible,
we would shew ourselves to he the friends of liberty, without
being the enemies of social order or established dynasties. But
txpon the point, how far these different objects can be reconcil-
ed, we confess ourselves somewhat in the dark. At all events,
• we are influenced by no selfish or unpatriotic views ; in this, as
in all other instances, we shall disdain to lend ourselves to the
political purposes of a faction. Our aim is to elicit truth ; and
to have a subject, of such immense and vital importance,
whether we regard the general principle or the particular
case, freely canvassed ; fully, thoroughly, and impartially
discussed.
We, therefore, publish the following letter with much plea-
sure ; but, we must remark, without pledging ourselves by any
means to a strict conformity with all the opinions which it con-
tains. The majority of our Council is, in fact, dissentient on
several particulars ; but there is no space left for them to
state the grounds of their dissent. We insert this letter,
becafise it is an earnest and powerful appeal in behalf of a peo-
ple, which has been free, and is enslaved ; which has been il-
lustrious, and is degraded; which has shed a moral and intel-
lectual light over the nations of Europe, and is now sunk her-
self in ignorance and darkness; which has contributed to the
happiness of mankind, and is now crushed beneath the worst
and deadliest of all human afflictions. And we shall insert
with equal pleasure any arguments on the other side of the
question, which are written with the same spirit, the same
eloquence, and the same sincerity.