The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-11
EXTRACTS FROM NEW BOOKS.
LORD BYRON.

ABOUT them as II ne belonged to some other. From
reading RochefOucauld, Machiavelli and other
soured cynics he learnt to distrust people in gen.
eral; So as he could do nothing without them, and
did not know how to manage them he was always
complaining OF being over-reached, and never get
ting what he wanted. don't think he ever knew
what he did want: few there are that do.
To resume my log on board the good ship ''Her-
cules." On the I'd of August, the islands of Ce-
Phaonla and Zante We're in sight, and shortly after
Byron pointing out the Morea, said, az don't know
why it is but feel if the eleven long years of
bitterness which have passed through since was
here, were taken Off nv shoulders, and was scud-
ding through the Greek Archipelago with old Bath
urst, in his frigate." That night we anchored in
the roadstead, the next morning we worked into
Argostoli, the harbor of CephalOnia, and anchored
near the town. An officer from the Health Office
having examined our papers and log, gave us pra-
tique. The Secretary of the Resident, Captain
Kennedy, came on board; he told US Col Napier
was absent, but that we might depend on the Coils
readiness to aid us in anything that his orders to
observe strict neutrality permitted. The captain
gave us the latest news from the seat of war, and
said Blaquiere had gone to England, at which By
ron was sorely vexed. The truth flashed across his
mind that he had been merely used as a decov by
the Committee. "NOw they have got me thus far
they think | must go on, and they care moth
ing as to the result They are deceived,
won't bulge a foot farther until | see nv
way; will stay here if that is objected to- | will
buy an island from the Greeks Turks; there must
be plenty of them in market" The instinct that
enables the vulture to detect carron afar off sur
passed by the marvellous acuteness of the Greeks in
scenting money. The morning after our arrival a
flock of ravenous Zuliote refugees alighted on our
decks, attracted by Byron's dollars. Lega, the
steward, thorough miser, coiled himself on the
money chest like viper. Our sturdy skipper was
for driving them overheard with hand-pikes Byron
came on deck in exuberant spirits, pleased with
their savage aspect and wild attire and, was his
won't promised great deal more than he should
have done; day and night they clung to his heels
like pack of jackals till he stood at bav like
hunted and To hpn 0tf
ping them to the Morea. On Colonel Napier's re
turn to the island, he warmly urged Byron, and in
deed all of us to take up our quarters at his house,
from first to last, all the English on the island the
military as well the civilians, We'd with each
other in friendly and hospitable acts. Byron pre-
ferred staying on board; every afternoon he and /
crossed the harbor in boat, and landed on a rock
to battle; of these occasions he held out his
right leg to me, saying
81 hope this accursed limb will be knocked off in
the war;"
at won't improve your swimming" answered;
Will exchange legs if you will give me portion
of your brains"
"You would repent your bargain" he said; sat
times feel my brains boiling, as Sheys did whilst
you were grilling him.
After bathing, we landed in an olive grove, eating
our frugal supper under the trees. Our Greek pas
sengers during the voyage said, that the Greeks
generally were in favor of mOnarchical govern
ment the Greeks on the island confirmed this, say
ing it the only way of getting rid of the robber
chiefs who now tyrannized and kept the country in
state of anarchy; and they must have foreign
er for king, they could not do better than elect
Byron. The Poet treated this suggestion lightly,
saying, "lf they make me the offer, may not re
fuse it. shall take care Of my 'sma peculiar'
for if it don't suit my humor | shall, like SanchO,
abdicate." Byron several times alluded to this, in
bantering vein; it left an impression on his mind
Had he lived to reach the congress of SaOna as
commissioner of the loan, the dispenser of a mil
lion silver crowns would have been offered golden
one.
Our party made an excursion to the neighbOring
island Olthaca; contrasted with the arid wastes and
barren red hills of CephalQnia the verdant valleys,
sparkling streams, and high land clothed in ever
green shrubs, were strikngly beautiful. After
landing, it was proposed to Byron to visit some of
the localities that antiquaries have dubbed with
the titles of Homer's school-Ulysses' stronghold,
etc.; he turned peevishly away, saying to me- "Do
look like one of those emasculated fogies? Let's
have a swim. | detest antiquarian twaddle. Do
people think have no lucid intervals, that | came
to Greece to scribble more nonsense? | will show
them that | can do something better; | wish had
never written line, to have it cast in my teeth at
every turn" Brown and GAMBIA went to look for
some place where we might pass the night, we
could not get mules to 60 on until the next day.
After long swim, Byron clambered up the
rocks, and exhausted by his days work, fell asleep
under the shade of wild figtree at the mouth of a
cavern. GAMBIA, having nothing to do, hunted him
out, and awakened him from pleasant dream, for
which the Poet cursed him. We fed off figs and
olives, and passed night at goatherds cot
tage
In the morning rode through the pleasant lit
tie island to Vathy, the capital. The Resident,
Capt. Knox, his lady, and every one else who had a
house, opened their doors to welcome us, and the
Pilgrim received as if he had been prince
On the summit OF high mountain in the island,
there Is an ancient monastery, from which there is
a magnificent view of the Ionian Sea, Greece, and
many islands, The day after our arrival we as
cended it, our party amounting to ten or twelve, in
cuding servants and muleteers. As usual, it
late when started; there was not a
breath of air, and the heat was intense
Following. narrow zigzag path between
rocks and precipices in single file, our
mules crept upwards our difficulty increased, until
the path became merely stone steps, worn by time
and travel in the solid limestone We all dsmount-
ed but Byron; he was jaded and irritable, he gen
orally was when deprived of his accustomed mid
day siesta it was dusk before we reached the sum-
nit of the mountain. The Abbott had been ap-
prised by the Resident of our visit; and when we
neared the monastery, files of men stood on each
side of our path, bearing pine torches. On coming
up to the walls wesaw the monks in their grey
gowns, ranged along the terrace, they chaunted
hymn of gloriicaton and welcome to the great lord
saying " Christ has risen to elevate the cross, and
trample on the crescent in our beloved Greece"
The Abbot clad in his sacerdotal robes, received
Byron in the porch, and conducted him into the
great hall, illuminated for the occasion: the monks
and others clustered round the honored guest boys
swung censers with frankincense under the Poets
nose. The Abbot, after performing variety of
ceremonies in a very dignifed manner, took from
the folds of his ample garments roll of paper,
and commenced intoning through his nasal or
gans turgid and ntermnable eulOgium on my
''LOrdo Inglese," in a polyglot of divers tongues;
while the eyes of the silent monks, anxious to OBJ
serve the effect of the holy fathers eloquence,
glanced from the Abbot to the Lord.
Byron had not spoken word from the time we
entered the monkery; thought he was resolved to
set us example of proper behavior. No one was
more surprised than was, when suddenly he burst
into paroxysm otrage, and vented his Ire IN tor
&c f1x,h hp1 hot
all his brotherhood. Then turning to us with fash
ing eyes, he vehemently exclaimed: -
''Will no'ope release fhe from the presence of
these pestilential idiots they drive me mad p
Selling lamp, he left the room.
The CONSERVATION of the monks at thiseXplOsiOn
of wrath NAV be imagined. The amazed Abbot
mained for some time motonless, his eyes and mouth
wide open; holding the paper he had been reading
in the same position, he looked at the vacant place
left by Byron, and then at the door through which
he had disappeared. AT last he thought he had
solved the mystery, and in a low tremulous voice
said Significantly putting his finger to his fore
head = -. --..s.
''Eccolo, e matto poveretto!" Poor fellow, he is
mad.)
Leaving Hamilton Brown to pacify the monks, I
followed Byron. Heswas still fretting and fumng
cursing the "whining dotard," ,"as he called the Ab
bot who had tormented him. Byrons servant
brought him bread, wine, and olives. | left him and
joined the mess of themonks in their rcfectory.-
We had the best of everything the island produced
for supper. Our host broached several iasks of his
choicest yintages: but although he partook largely
of these good-things, they failed to cheerhim. We
were all glad to toretireearly to our cells.
In the morning, Byron came forth refreshed, and
acted as if he had forgotten THE occurrences of the
evening. The Abbot had not, and he took care not
to remind him of them. Ahandsome donation was
deposited in the aims box, and we mounted our
mules and departed. without any other ceremony,
than hasty benediction from the Holy Father and
his monks. However we might have doubted the
sincerity of their ovation on receiving u.s. we did
not question the relief they felt and expressed by
their looks our departure.
The next day we retraced our steps, through the,
fowery ravines and tranquil sOt,this.lovely
islet, our road winding along the foot of the
mountains. The grey olive trees, bright green
fig, and rampant vine, that grew,aboye our heads,
from the sea, with the springs af purest water
cushing of the rncs the Pnnt,s