The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-09-29
MODERN GREECE.
Iron, Dr.. HoUe, Sketch ofhs Gre,t RsrOi,-

MDDEhN GkEfCE.
[ From Dr.. HoDes Sketch Of the Gresk RerOiR-
hon
The character of the modern Greeks is differ
ent ia the different parts Of the country and IN
this diHerence we may always see the effect oi
the remoienrss or proximity Of their province
/ 20 the immediate influence Of tho tyranny tbl
different masters al The country. The mountain
Greek IS braye-otten 10 beroism he Is hardy
active, lively lover Of advenure and Of Par
" he - hosplabe. generous, tickle the Alban
,an Greek IS enferprising, persevering, nnsocia
inbosphable, cruel the hloriole - CTinging
greedy Of gain. hypocti'iral aud tjmid but he
IS industrious. temperate, kind.bcarted aud hos
piiabip the Greek merchant IL sbTeWd, enter
prsng. interchangeable bur cunning, lricksh.
supple, and deeeit,d
We're there wanting any more convincing
proof Of The Penumensss Of th" descent OF the
Modern Greeks from their ilustiIous ancestors
than that they speak II. same language, which
has undergone fewer corfuptons than almost
any other ihat they employ pre- sey ne same
characters IN writing thai they call places by
the sarne -namrs. that they iuhabIt the same
spots that they RETAIN many al the pre- udices,
the manners aud customs, that are recorded ni
the oil Greeks We say, II more proof should be
thought wanting. II will be found 10 the PITY sIclai
aspect. and ia The character Of the people. The
same natural quichHtss uf intellect love oflearn-
ing, attachment 10 country. Ylvachy, the same
Gfkleness. the same deceit ara stamped 10 the
character OF the Greeks ofio-day, a. they were
Ia The minds OF the Greeks Of the Older llIncs.
We have observed. thai though The general
appearance Of TIE Greek cation al the com
meuecmpnt Of the l9.h eentary, wasthat OF u
people plunged ~ ignorance aud superstition
yet there wcfr several points ia winch jhe re-
81 al o fif.Ia ! he b,u nj
tyranny, had given 4 chance tor the aineliorarion
of the condition of the people aud IL IL certain
proof OF the elasticity d the Greek character.
that IA every one of tho1e places, there was An
immediate aud rapid advance Ia civilization and
refinement. Let us take for example the island
of Scio
This beautiful island (fhe ancient Chins the
birthplace of lIoner) situated under the deli
cious climate Of the East, blest with fertile sOi-
ieemiug with the richest productions Of naturel
which are brought TO peiccton by the hand Of
art was ever inhabited by race of Greeks div
tinguiShed for iheir peaceful character. II pa ;.
sed iHmrly tom The power OF the GeneytSe 10
that fine Turks in lJ66 aud was, either from
lis nOn-Tesisiance, or some other cause, exempt
from those expressions pIactlsrd on the rest of
the Greeks There came some Turks to live in
the island, aud an Aga, with some soldiers. held
the fort: bat The Greeks enjoyed extraordinary
privileges they were allowed the use of bells ia
their churches the ISLAND was governed in a
great measure by Greek magistrates; they were
exempted, hy particular favor, from the exac-
ton Of any Turkish officer, and paid a very light
tribute.
Inc consequences were soon seen !. its popu-
ialon increased IN number, ia civilization, IN re-
Gnenent The face Of the,routry was improved j;
II was covered with lourishng vineyards - nh
groves Of lemon, orange, citrun, and masttc; the
ppasantry prosprred they bu,ll urGt III u hand
some villages, and Lr island soon L. came t'ie
most interesting Que IN the Ievant-2" II is the
piece Of residence. the most Agreeable know,
says an old traveller " the women are there Tho
mosi refined, and the most boau!iinl" ia pJn.
clpal production VAS the mast,c, SO much ia us,
by Turkish ladies, and the island afterwards pa
sing an appauage 10 Que Of the sutanas, it has
ever since been cons iderel as under The pro1rc-
ton of The sister oCthe rcigniag Sultan, 10 whom,
were sent TIA YEARLY tribute OF gums aud per
fumes aud II was called the gaIden of the Sc
rasliO.
The peaSantry gave themselves Hp principally
10 the cultivation ct the mastlc and to garden
ms. and all the fruits of the Last. were hy the
hand OF art. brought TO the greatest perfection
the citron. the orange. the melon the pomsgra-
mate the peach aud the grape of Scio, were COT
,idered peculiarly delicious. Commerce increa-
,ed and was encouraged. and rich Sciote mef-
chants were established Al smyrna and Constan-
inople. "a well as upon their native island !;
where the appearance of large and splendid hou-
ses, richly furnished gave evidence Of lncreaS-
hg wealth aud refinement.
The inhabitants acquired in some measure the
manners and customs Of European society n
large hospital was erected school.honses were
opened ia every pant ofthe island End Col
lese was established. where the languages, an.
cIrni aud modern, literature. and phoso rhy
wer" taught 10 a GREAT number Of yourg Greeks
The Seiutc merchant was ever abroad sharp srd
close but nj home, generous and hosprahle
we have seen in their females much o that del
icatc refinement which gives zcsl to society
a. home we have experienced in the the bosom
of their families not only the rites Of hospitality
au w. have been sustained in the dreary days
OF sickness by their kind and untiIing attentions
and we Can never forget the heartfelt gratitude,
AMI earnest thanks, wiin which they reward the
slightest service done by strangers 10 their coull.
try.
Tue most striking contrast to the Greeks OF
ScIo, was furnished by the kleftes and indepen-
dent inhabitants OF many mountainous provin-
ces for in several districts Of Greece the hardy
Nnl in intrepid Inhabitants had obs.mateIy and
successfully resisted The attempts of Vene,
taus and Turks to reduce them to obedience.
| The Greeks Of The mountainous districts Of
! .Eioha. Arreanana, Doris and the chains OF
/ psta, Pmdus and Olympus, have for ages been
/ free after he division oil the BY 4anline empire
they are n1tioed as alternately opposing the dit.
! feicnt nations who are struggling for possess
ION ofGreece they juined the Turks gaInst the
Latin princes and after he former got possess.
ION Of the country, they attempted TO pnsIave
their allies. But the Greeks maintained them
selves in their mountains aud The Turks finding
II impossible tic reduce them. were forced into a
compromise.
/ As early 1900, we find the Northern parts
Of Greece divided INTO several i1maiOfits. OF
Provinces, under the direction of different Greek
Chiefs, leaders OF bands, called Armatoli. These
! thPis had the whole rule over their Provinces
and regulated every thing as far it related to
! the Christians They were nommsiiy sub
.lect 10 Turkish officers, but were really nde
/ pendent their men were nut,ured from the era
die to tie use OF arms, aud knew 10 other occu
patton.
During The 18th century, while the Turkish
empire vas rapidly declining, aud tora by inter