Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-24
LETTERS FROM ASIA.


Extract from series Of letters, written by
an American gentleman while in Asia, to
his friend in Boston. The writer unfor-
tunately died by the plague, on his pas
sage from alexandria, in Egypt, to Con-
stantinopie, in Grecian vessel.
Boston Patriot.
mo. 15.l
Taking into view the austere manners of
the Turks, it can hardly lie conceived with
what delight they contemplate the gambols
| of rope dancers, and tumblers, who in small
bodies, occasionally visit the villages Of the
Empire.
Those emigrants from France and Ger.
many, perform during the warm season,
aud as the Sabbath is more a day OF recrea-
| ton than rest, it is usually selected for that
purpose.
Seated on the ground in state of the
deepest contemplation, hundreds Of Asiat.
les remain for hours, greedily devouring
with their eyes, scenes that excite only
laughter and contempt from all but them.
selves In many instances | have seen
these fellows tumble from the rope, and in
the most bungling manner ascend again by
| means of ladder, while the natives think
| ing it part OF the regular performance,
would express their delight by throwing up
their heads. similar TO horse when annoy
ed by flies, and blowing out streams of
smoke that had been confined in their lungs
a considerable length Of time.
This species OF amusement is prohibited
in the city Of Smyrna, in consequence Of the
following circumstance some years since
having occurred.
During a performance where the Chris
tians alone were admitted, Turk wishing
to participate in the amusement, offered
money 10 gain an admittance; this being re-
| fused, he endeavoured 10 force his way into
| the enclosure, when the man who attended
al the gate, shot him with pisto! which lie
drew from his breast.
Confusion Immediately ensued, and the
| Franks were in The greatest state OF alarm,
and fed to their houses, not knowing, yet
dreading the consequence.
Instead Of taking ample revenge while
their murdered conlryman lay before them,
! the Turks in the most reasonable manner,
demanded tue cu'prit Of the Consul repre-
senling his countrv, that he might be
punished for his crime, agreeably TO the
laws of God and man-but, either from
mistaken pride, or thro' ignorance that Ma
hometans possess feelings like other human
beings, it was denied, and they retired
highly dissatisfied, breathing vengeance a.
sainst the Christians universally.
For some days the flames Of discord were
half smothered; they still retained hopes
that their reasonable demand would be.
complied with, but finding il vain, they set
fire TO the buildings in Frank street, which,
with the property they contained, were en-
| tirely consumed, and those OF the inhahi-
tants only escaped the sabre, who were
fortunate enough TO gain the country, or
find an asylum on board the shipping.
Extract of letter from an American Citi-
zen in London. TO his friend in y. York,
dated July 7, 1918.
"My stay in London has been protracted
longer than intended, and shall. never
theless, have TO leave various things and
persons unattended 10, which il would be
interesting to see, before proceed to the
continent. The last three days have afford
ed me no small satisfaction. On the first,
in company with W. Allen. and his friend
w. H. Pepys, visited the Royal Ohserva-
tory, at Greenwich, in compliance with
special invitation from the Astronomer
Royal. There we met committee OF the
| Royal Society, consisting Of the President,
Sir Joseph Banks, Earl Morton, Sir Eve
rard Home, DR.. Hershel, and others, whose
names are famous in science. After exa-
mining the instruments in the Observatory,
the company all took dinner al hotel, on
the banks Of the Thames, and spent the
| afternoon together, in that kind Of social
( and philanthropic relaxation, which il is
grateful TO enjoy. The 6neness of the day,
and the very numerous vessels which pass
ed as we sat at table, (anong them two
steam boats. added TO the satisfaction Of
the occasion.
Yesterday was heldthe 18th anniversary
meeting of the British and Foreign School
Society, at Free Mason's Tavern. The
room was filled to oyerilowing; great
number OF Friends. ,nsie!and;icmale, being
present. The Duke Of Sussex presided
and after the report was read by my worthy
friend Joseph Foster, number Of eloquent
speeches were made, particularly one by
Dir. Wherefore. A particular statement
of the proceedings is in the papers. The
Duke acquitted himself very handsomely.
To-day ! visited Newgate in company
with Mrs. Fry, and her conductors. Tho
reformation they have effected IN the habits
of the female prisoners, continues to attract
the attention Of the public, and sometimes:
The room in which they assemble is crowd
ed with yisiters. That was the case to-day.
Among the latter was professor Pietei, Of
Geneva, Robert Owen, the protector for
the-poor, and number of fashionable fe-
males. The prisoners conducted them
selves with great decency. They were
called into the committee room, and being
seated, E. Fry read chapter in a very ap-
propriate manner, and made some suitable
comments upon it. The company were