The Sun.
London, England, 1826-05-16 00:00:00

JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE
UP THE MEDITERRANEAN,

Especially among the Islands of the Archipelago, and in Asia
Minor, &c. &c. By the Rev. CHARLES SWAN, 'Chaplain of
H. M. S. Cambrian. In 2 vols. Bvo. RivingtOns, 1826.
We have been highly gratified- by a perusal of this
work. It details the observations of an intelligent,
lively, goolt-Innoured voyager during a cruize, which
enabled him to visit somoplaces of the :most remark-
able interest in the history of past times, and in the
. events end anticipations of the present. Touching on
many parts of Greece and its islands, as well as the
opposite coast of Asia Minor, and animated by an en-
thusiastic ardour in the cause of the Greeks, the
author has collected a great variety of information re-
spectiq; the state and affairs of this interesting people,
which his attachment to their cause has invested with
a character. of peculiar attraction. "His voyage com-
nienced in the autumn of 1824, and he first touched
on. theshores of Greece on the 25th December. The
present account terminates with Sept. 1825 ; so that
his
most
embraces a period comprising many of
the remarkable events in the progress of the
Greek revolution, of which he was in some instances a
witness.
The description of his feelings on first touching
the soil of this classic country are so admirably given,
that we cannot convey to our readers a better picture
of the impression made. on his mind by the first ap-
pearance of the land and its inhabitants, nor a better
specimen of his general style and manner, than by
extracting the passage:—
44 saturilay, 25th Dec. Cuatsrstas-nay.—After performing
divine service on board the Cambrian, I hastened to make what
use I could of the little time allowed, to inspect Napoli di Ro-
mania. This town is situated at the foot of a high rock, sur-
mounted by a tbrtress called the Pidamedes. I saw it first at sun-
rise, from the sea. Landing on the quay, we were instantly in
the midst of a crowd of Greeks; and I cannot describe the elation
of spirit which I experienced on first touching with my foot this
celebrated !foil. It matters little with how many sapient smiles
feelings of such a nature may be greeted; nor with how touch
contumely phlegmatic minds may dwell upon the warm and stir-
ring emotions which arise at the contemplation of a land of de-
parted greatness, and reviving freedom."
• • • • •
They will not appreciate, for they cannot comprehend, the
feeling with which I stood upon an eminence beyond the citadel
of the Palamedes; below, the town of Napoli with its white
houses and, churches ; the buy, with the links fort of St. Theo-
dore in the midst, (now converted into a prison, to which at that
very moment Giovanni Notara, son of one of the principal rebels
confederates! with Colocotroni, was led) ; Argos, with its acropolis
shining in the sun ; the flat marshy ground extending like an
amphitheatre from thence to Napoli ; the Laczedemonian moun-
tains rising in double volumes in front, and those beyond Argos
capped with snow; the Cambrian riding in the bay,—for,
A stately-builded ship, well rigg'd, and tall,
The ocean maketh.more nsajestical ;'
with numberless little fishing-boats skimming along the water
and more immediately beneath, the Greeks, in their picturesque
eumtunies, galloping here and there upon spirited ponies over the
rough paths of the declivity ; with sheep and goats browsing upon
the sides of the rocks, and women in the distance washing their
linen at a public well : there an overthrown Turkish cemetery,
where all was trebly desolate ,• a farm-house, and what appeared
a small fortress, a little beyond it ,on a lofty eminence :—:dl these
were to me objects of an intense and overwhelming interest."
At p. 238: et seq. -v. i. will be found a highly inte-
resting account of the present state of Greek litera-
ture. A priest named Economus is particularly men-
tioned as eminent for his attainments and enlightened
mind ; indeed so much so that our author ascribes
mainly to his exertions the revival of a taste for litera-
ture : his enlightened studies; however, and freedom of
thought, brought upon him, as it never fails to do
upon any man of similarly elevated views among
ignorant bigots, calumny, censure, and persecution.
He has translated- , Mollere's Avare into Hellenic,
adapting the characters, &e.' to the national manners.
He has also produced several original dramatic
pieces. Other distinguished authors are enumerated,
and their works, chiefly poetical and dramatic,
briefly described. p. 246, &c. Upon the whole, con,
sidering the little leisure the Greeks can have to attend
.to these matters, the appearance of national genius
gives the highest promise of a successful cultivation,
whenever they shall he established in a state of peace.
In his 7th chapter (vol. i. p. 212), the author
gives a curious exemplification of the accurac,y of the
accounts, which have often become current in Eng-
Lina, respecting the state, of affairs in Greece. And
again (at p. 268), we have some equally curious ex-
tracts from Galignani's Messenger, of which the
anther demonstrates the fallacy ; and even in the very
vicinity of the seat of' war, he admits it is not without
considerable difficulty, and the exercise of great dis-
crimination, that any thing like a fair opinion can be
formed of the actual complexion of affairs ; in parti-
cular'' the naval affairs of the belligerent powers seem
to have suffered from the inventive genius of repOrters.
It appears that the Greeks have not in their whole
nary a larger vessel than a brig of 200 tons at the very
utmost'; and as to the stories of their having taken
Turkish ships of the line, the factis, that they contrived
to .set fire to them ;--and in this way. the latter power
have lost, perhaps, ten or twelve vessels during the war.
Of the state of the Greek cause (at the date of July 2,
1825), even so sanguine a friend 'as our author is
forced to confess it was not in a very promising Condi-
tion. From his statement it would appear that one of
the greatest sources of difficulty and ill success is, that
the troops cannot be induced to submit readily to the
authority of .the Government (Vol. 2, p.. 107) ; and
Mavrocordato, 'he says, ,l appears, oppressed with in-
tense anxiety, but to have very few opinions of his
own ; he -assents, or appears to assent, to every thing."
Enthusiastic, as Mr. Swan is in the expre.sion of his
good wishes towards this people, he by no means suf,.
fers. his enthusiasm to get the better of his discretion in
the expectations he forms of their future prOspects. He
iss alive to the faults as well as to the excellences of their
national character, and gives much good advice for
amending the former.
'Die celebrated Greek:Admiral Miaulis came to pay
them a visit on board the Cambrian, oft' Hydra. His
appearance is admirably described by Mr. Swan, as
singularly contrasting, from its plainness, and even
meanness, with the dignified situation be holds, and
the high talent and courage he has evinced.---(V01. 1,
p. 264)
Some very good remarks occur in vol. 2, p. 107, on
the European champions Who have volunteered in the
service of the Greeks. The author eontinenta very
judiciously on the wild designs and. incoherent prOs.-
lints with which most of them have.come into Greece.
The natural -consequence is disappointment and vexa-
tion, and 'as strong a prejudice against the inhabitants
they formerly entertained in their favour. Hie
die-
scriptioii of some of these heroes is truly lndicrous
thourrh, in other instances, their disappointments and
misfortunes cannot but excite -commiseration and re
gret at :seeing such talents and spirit thrown away
upon a cause which repaid them only with the basest
ingratitude.
The Greek mode of warfare is described in a. very
striking'. manner (v. 2, p. 23); they have never et
understood any thing of tactics ; but it appears that
several of the successes of the Turks against them
have been owing; to the services of well organized