The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-05-13

fhoM IhE ATHENS oIAh of IHE EASl.
l. From several provinces of the Ottoman
Empire, occurrences are reported to us as havin
recently taken place, to which we Judge it fit
ting to direct the attention of the Patriarchate
though we are sure that the council of tn
Church is already cognizant of the facts
Many of theorthodox Christians, Ii. e. mem
bers Of the Greek communion, subjects of hi
majesty the Sultan, are torsaking the religion
of their fathers, and embracing Mohametan
ism. Quite number of such cases are report
ed to us, and it is evident that this change o
faith is assuming large dimensions.
2. A very interesting discovery has beer
made in the province of Thessalonica. Dur
ing the progress of some excavations, an I'm
mutilated statue was found, the least injured
perhaps, of all the extant works of Greek sculp
ture AS far as we can judge from photo
graphs, it is to be referred, if not to the grea
era of Apelles and Praxiteles, at least to al
age not much later 1t represents Hercules
the position of the figure is very happily
chosen; from the body being bent to the right
the left shoulder is somewhat elevated arounc
the left arm and hand the lions skin is cast
but the right hand, shows in the clenched fist
a full vigor of strength. The right foot, as
natural to this posture, stands firm and full or
the base; whilst the left foot but touches il
with the tips of the toes.
The point OF the head is admirable; the hail
and beard thick and curly; the eyes are very
expressive, and in Homeric phrase, bright
cleaning" We learn that from Thessalonica
it will be forwarded to Athens.
EVENTS IN CRETE.
8. According to the report of General lynn.
brakakes bearing date 10th March, 1868,
about four thousand Of the Turkish army
at Apocoronos, under the infamous Sab.
bas, about clock on the morning of the 18th
March, attacked the rebels (Cretans) camped
at Alicampos, who, though only a thousand,
beat off the attack with heroic valor, and drove
the Turks before them for considerable
space. After this defeat, the Turks, under
Sabbas, cut off the nose and ears, and finally
the head of one old man, and revelled in nu.
merous other atrocities of like nature, being
encouraged to these barbarities by the uncon,
Germ with which civilized Europe has for the
past two years regarded their excuses. Whilst
Sabbas is receiving fresh forces from Canea,
heis endeavoring moreover to induce the peace.
full and unarmed peasants of the country, to
serve as his guides, whilst he threatens the
rest with confscation and imprisonment if they
do not betray to him the lurking places of the
rebels. Some he has even ordered, for failure
to do this, to be cast into the prison at Canea,
or sent to the Turkish fleet at SCUBA,
Besides the above battle, another took place
at Selino, where the rebels under their valiant
Generals, Kriares and Korkides, attacked the
Turkish army camped along the shore. and
drove them to shelter under the guns of their
squadron. This fight lasted all the day of the
29th February.
Meanwhile it has become known that of the
1900 Albanians who were lately compelled go
INTO Turkish Crete, to reinforce the army
here, 900, worn out with hardships, and dis
,usted by the arrears of their pay, have mutt
leered and returned home on Turkish ships,