Star.
London, England, 1819-08-06 00:00:00

RECENT MARTYRDOM!

The following pa,ticulatsuf this.event, which oc-
curred in Smyrna last April; have been transmitted
to us by an English Gentleman in that qualm-.
Athanasius, a Greek Chri,tian, twenty-lot r years ,
of age, was the sral of a boatman, who carried on a
small trade in the Archipelago. The gains c-f the
father being un tble to :uppo: t the son, or the busi-
ness sufficiently great to require his assistance, he
was obliged to look out for employment in 'ome
other way. He engaged in the service of a Turk,
who, being pleased with his conduct, considered Ma*
as a proper object fur exercising his influence in con-
verting him to the Mithometati faith. After holding
out great offers he ultimately prevailed on him to
renounce Christial,ity, in presence of the Meccamay,
who is the Turkish Judge and Bishop. He continued
in the service for about a year after, when he quitted
it, and having experienced severe reproofs of con-
I science for his apostacy, he made a pilgiimage to
Mount Achas, where there are many Convents, from
which he returned some months after.
On his arrival at Smyrna, in the costume of a
Greek monk, he proceeded instantly to the Mecca-
may, expressed his repentance at renouncing the
Christian faith, and his re olntion to abjure the tenets
la the Mahometan. On this he was confined in a
I dungeon, and endured the toi rare with the greatest
fortitude, persisting in his resolution to die a Chris-
tian. A day was then appointed for his execution
in the most public part of Smyrna, and opposite one
of the principal mosques ; and he was led to the
scaffold bound, attended by the Turkish guards.—
Here he was offered his life, nay, houses, money, in
short riches, if he would still continue in the Maho-
metan creed ; but no temptation could induce Atha-
nasius again to apostatise..
On this occasion a Turkish -blacksmith was em-
ployed to decapitate him. -As a last attempt how-
ever to effect, if practicable, a change of opinion,
the executioner was directed to cut part of the skin
of his neck, that he might feel the edge cf the sword.
Even this, however, failed of success. lie was then
ordered to kneel- on the ground, when he declared,
u i:h a calm and resigned countenance, that " he was
born with JEsus, and would die with JESUS!" At
one blow the head was-strut.* off. The guards then
instantly threw buckets of water on the neck and
head of the corpse, to prevent the multitude of sur_
rounding Greek specthtorsfrom dipping their hand-
kerchiefs in his blocid, to keep as a memorial of an
e,•ent so remarkable. The body was publicly exposed
for :Inee days, the head placed between the legs, on
the anus, and afterwards given up to the Greeks, by
whom it was decently interred, in the principal
church-yard of Smyrna. ' This is the third instance
of the kind which has occurred at Smyrna during
the last twenty years.

BETTING AT TATTEt
ST. LI

iSALL'S YESTERDAY.
EGER.
sto 1 agst Sultan I 14 to 1 agst Cardinal Wolsey
EA to 1 agst Pococurante 40 to 1 agst Mortimer, Toni
- .

0i to 1 agst Lisette I Tit, Archibald, Galatea,
• 9 to 1 agst Palmarine or any other.
126 to 1 agst Sir Walter
CHELMSFORD RACES, AUGUST 4, 1819.
SECOND DAY.
The Gold Cap, value 100 guineas.
- - - -

...
Mr. Rush's b. f. Romp, 4 yrs old - - 1
Marquis of Exeter'. Your* Wizard, 5 yrs old - 2
Young Wizard the favourite at starting. The race was gal-
lantly contested, and won by a length. *
Match fur 100 guineas. The New Mile.
Mr. flußy's Brutus. 3 yrs old, ast. 71b. - - 1
Mr. Lee's C...sius, 3 yrs old, Sat. 7.1 b. _ - 2

T-a.oto n!e on Brut tit. A fine race.
The Town Plate of £5O heats.
Mr. J. Edwards's ch. c. Pluto, 5 yn old
Mr. A. Wright's b. c. by Juniper, 3 yrs old
MI, Lee's Cassius, 3 yrs old
3tol on Pluto. Won easy.

1 1
2 2
3 4,1 r

The Course was again this day most numerously attended.--.
Much betting fi ok place on the Gold Cup; which was warmly
contested. Tne Theatre was open each evening, and received
much patronage.