Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-19
A WEEK AT CONsTANTlNoPLE IN 1929.
ny A NAVAL OFFICER.

ny NAVAL OFFICER.
The Mediterranean station, with its lovely
climate, splendid relics OF antiquity, and their
accompanying host of classical recOllections, IN
addition to the varied and romantic picture oil
human life, presented by the nations who inhab-
it its shores, forminga singularly beautiful con-
trast with the more staid manners and customs
of our own isle, to be met with in our garrisons
at Gibraltar, Malta, and the Ionian Islands, has
always been one IN high favor with the Navy
But ever since the .untoward" event of Nava-
rino, and the commencement of hostilities be-
tween Russia and the Porte, these lovely regions
have assumed an interest of higher character,
from the almost general impression that they
were destined TO become one more, to use an ex
preston of Admiral de Rigny's, ''le theatre des
grands evenemens;''-in fact, the strong rein
forcements which came out from England to-
wards the middle of last year, andrapid cOncen-
tration of our squadrons at Vourla, all combined
to give to this opinion Of the gallant admiral a
strong colourng of probability. Intelligence of
the disasters IF the Ottoman armies reached US
in quick and rapid succession. First came the
capture Of Silistria; next, Diebitsch had out-ma-
nGuvred the Grand Vizier. and nearly destroy
ed his army before Chumla. Ere we had well
disested these bulletins, we heard that the formi
iable chain of the Balkan was passed, that the
northern eagle Hoated in lordly pride along the
towers of Adrianope, and that fGr the first time
a Cossack hura had been heard almost at the very
gates of old STEAMBOAT itself Sailors are sell
dom profound politicians; they rarely take the
trouble Of diving beneath the surface OF any
thing save of their own element; though in the
present instance thew entertained an opinion with
many others who had the advantage of being near
er the fountain head of affairs, that Great Brit
ain would not be silent spectator OF the game
Of war, or passiveIy submit to the completion Of
the darling plans Of Russian ambition now IN full
development. Some feelings of this kind ap-
peared to have taken possession Of the minds of
Count Heyden and his Russians; for, on sud-
den they kept aloof from us, circumstance we
all regretted, for their high bred courtliness Of
manner had rendered them universal favorites.
For some time subsequent to this event, we
had been stationed at Smyrna, passing our time
most agreeablv in this petit Paris du Levant, and
losing our hearts to the beautiful Smyrnotes,
whose lovely countenances heightened by the eff
feet of their beautiful and classical head-dresses,
rendered them in our eyes most bewitching
objects. when we received orders to carry on
dispatches to Constantinople. For any other
spot, at the moment, should have quilted Smyr-
ma with undisguised reluctance; but the attrait
of visit to the Ottoman capital was sufficient to
overpower every lingering feeling of regret
Bidding. therefore. adieu to our fair friends, to
whom we promised on our return copiOus bud
get Of news from Pera, we sailed at day break on
the morning of the -, and after encounter
ing a tramontana and strong adverse current,
came to an anchor on the evening of the third
day of our departure OFF 'fenedos with afar farmed