The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-08-06 00:00:00

THE SALE AT ATHENS.

Our readers have probably seen in the public prints the
annolincementicand for the'first time in England)-of a splen-
u a.
Athens (vide Mr. Robins' a vertisement repeated in our
Journal to-day). In addition to this very seductive compo-,
sition, which, in our humble judgment, in his chef d'oeuvre,
he has appended to the descriptive particulars of side a very
enlarged and highly interesting statement of facts, with a
view to incline the great capitalists to improve their fortunes
in Greece. The following is a brief outline :

At a time when British industry, British capital, and .Bri-
tish enterprise are pejietrating the remotest parts of the globe
in search of employment—while we are forminit, associations
for the purchase of lands in the frozen regions of Canada
and the more distant countries of Australia and New Zea-
land, separated by seas of long and difficult navigation—
land when acquired, presenting to the settler or proprietor
obstacles of the severest nature to their improvement and
cultivation and to the consequent return of capital and out-
lay, with only a reasonable hope of increase on interest, we
seem, most unaccountably, to have overlooked a country
much nearer at hand, and rendered, by the late improvements
in steam navigation, as it were, almost at our doors—a
country possessing the finest climate, the most fertile soil,
the most varied productions, the most commodious harbours,
inhabited (although as yet but thinly) by an ingenious, do-
cile, and labourious people, enjoying a government which is
mild and beneficent, and affords ample protection to its sub-
jects, with the free enjoyment of their different religions-.
This country is Greece !
From the establishment of the royal government in 1833,
a short period of six years, the renovation of this intersting
portion of the globe may be dated. In that time its amelio-
ration had advanced with a rapidity almost incredible.. The
population of Athens alone, which, at the period of the
evacuation of the Turks, was only about 2000 souls, is now
upwards of 30,000 ! The Pirreus (the sea-port of Athens),
only distant about four miles, had, at the epoch alluded to,
only a wooden shed, with two or three individuals at the
place, has now more than 10,000 inhabitants, and become a
splendid town. Many more, as well as villages, are increas-
ing in proportion. The utmost activity prevails. Napoli di
Romania, Argos, Tripolitza, Patras, Calchis, &c., are rising
from their ruins.

Emigrations of settlers, of great respectability, and some
of large fortunes, have lately taken place.
The soil of Greece produces every thing which can con-
tribute to the wants, the comforts, and even the luxuries of
man—corn, wine, oil, silk, cotton, honey, dying stuffs, figs,
raisins, currants, and other fruits ; flax, hemp, drugs for
medicine, rice, tobacco, and almost all the productions of
tropical limates, such as oranges, lemons, and citrons, may
be reckoned its staple commodities. Experience has prove&
that the climate of Greece is propitious to the culture of beet
root ; and such is the fertility of the soil, that it has yielded
in one year three crop* of beet root, much larger, much
more abundant, and far more rich in saccharine matter than
those which are cultivated in France, or in other parts of
Europe ; therefore a sugur manufactory may be most
advantageously established there. Stone, marble, timber,
lime, and all kinds of building materials are in the
greatest plenty in almost every part, or can readily be con-
veyed by sea from the places where they are in abundance, to
those parts where they may be deficient. Coal abounds in
the Island of Negropont near the surface, and is worked
with facility ; there is also a variety of other minerals found.
Such are the natural advantages of Greece. In this fa-
voured clime the natives of Great Britain enjoy an estimation
beyond those of any other country in the minds of the Greeks :
our free institutions, and the part we have taken in their
Hellenic, long, and arduous struggle for independence, have
secured their respect and gratitude, and the name of an Eng-
lishman is a passport amongst them.
The Hellenic government encourages whatever may tend
to the improvement or the kingdom, either by introduc-
tion of capital, or of the knowledge and arts of Westeiii Eu-
rope.

The laws and ordinances whiff h have been promulgated
have this especial tendency, and amongst others, care ha
been taken to establish registration of all documents relating
to land, so as to resider the titles to it perfectly secure and
free from dispute and litigation.
Greece is destined by her geographical position, to exercise
a great influence over the commerce of Europe, although, at
present, her share of importance is but very secondary in that
respect. _ _

Limited by Asia, Central Europe, and Africa, almost sur-
rounded by the Meditterranean Sea, peopled with sailors,
and favoured with a beautiful climate, this country would
long since have become rich by its agricultural industry and
commerce, had she not been laid waste and depopulated by
the unintelligent domination of the Turks.

Greece, foi:merly so flourishing, has but very lately been
released from bondage ; since her liberation, she has been
able only to prepare herself for a new existence. Thus cir-
cumstanced, she has already performed much, by falling
into habits of order and industry, under the schooling of Old
Europe, (who first received, by the bye, her lessons from
Greece); such a beginning is a token of good promise.
There is ample field to enlarge on the merits of this classical
and highly interesting country, the reminiscences associated
with which are so peculiarly calculated to inspire the scholar,
the man of genius and taste, that it may be superfluous to
expatiate further in illustration of the subject, as every gen-
tleman, doubtless, will be so versed in ancient lore, and in
Grecian history in particular, as to render unnecessary any
further attempt to elucidate these matters.
The English and French Governments are now united in
their endeavour to elevate Greece into a high position with
kingdoms of importance, and by the aid of national banks
which are now in active progress—will give a consequence—
a tone and character to Athens, which in its ambitious mood
it scarcely dared to contemplate.

THE KENTUCKY KNIFE.—This instrument, which, like
the Italian stilletto, is only fit for the hand. of an assassin, is
displayed upon every occasion. It hai ordinarily a blade
about six or eight inches long, sharp on both sides towards
the point, and comes out of the handle by a spring, which
also prevents its closing on the hand Of the owner. I have
seen several well-dressed Kentuckians, who would probably
think themselves much injured if they were not considered
gentlemen of the first
.Trade, picking their teeth with these
elegant pocket companions, in public ; and I have repeatedly
seen them while engaged in conversation employ their bands
in opening and shutting this dirk-sprin,,, as a London dandy
on the stage raps his boots and shakes his watch-seals, or
sometimes in real life, for want of manual employment,
draws his glove on and off, or smooths down the felt of his
hat.—Murray's North America.