The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-12-04

caught BY something comic, she buriea
the laugh in handkerchief; but when.
ever possible she does all her laughing
internally. This wrenches her terribly,
and sooner or later some of her vitals
will get broken all to pieces; but she
prefers death to . display Of her scrag-
~ teeth.-CSncinnai Enquirer.
Nshomet's Siege OF Censtantinsple n
1853.
The city was more than eleven miles
III circumference. On the side of the
sea it was defended by simple wall !;
the other side were covered by regular
Notifications, towers and bastions. The
Turkish army was immense, numbering
probably 100000 or 100000 men; the
Imagination Of the Greek historians ex-
tended this number to BOZ, 900, and even
100000. The regular army was prob
ably under 100000. The Greeks had
lost entirely the use Of arms, and de-
pended upon their mercenaries. The
Emperor would not arm more than
$1,000; his chief lieutenant was an ltal-
ian, Giustinisni, who had with him
many Venetians and Genoese. The
legaie, Isitlore, did his duty bravely as
a soldier. The city had lO4 guns, and
among the number was one, gigantic for
the time, which could only IRE six or
seven times day, and had to Do cooled
each time after it had been fred. The
art of siege was still in its infancy. Ma
homet used all the old machines which
were made for approaches and assaults.
He had guns Also, Arrows, molten
lead, and boiling oil were used
against the assailants, as
we'll % the famous Greek
| fire, the secret of which was still pre-
served in the Greek Empire. The in
vestmeut OF Constantinople began on the
9Th Of April, 1853. The siege went on
methodically, and various assaults were
repulsed by the Greeks. Mahomet was
surprised 10 find so much resistance. The
Turkish ships succeeded in forcing the
entrance Of the Golden Horn, and the
city from that moment, began to show
al tho terrible symptoms Of discomfort
and discord which are noticed in all
sieges OF populous capitals. While the
soldiers were on the ramparts the city
was cOnvulsed with theological discus
sions. Even on the eve of the ruin Of
their cause, the fanatical Greeks showed
more adherence for the dogmas and
rites of the Latin Church than for the
enemies who were before the gates.
Constantinople was like Jerusalem when
it was besieged by the Romans. The
monks in1anled tho multitude, but did
not turn their wrnth against the real
enemy. II would prefer q hundred.
tines" said one, "tO see in Constan-
tinople the turban Of the Turks rather
than the tiara Of the Pope" The crowd,
rushed to the shrines where the miracle
working virgins were kept, but did not
rush to the ramparts. All sorts OF
prophecies were made; the Greeks be.
came the pitiable victims of what wa,
called during the last siege Of Paris
:. ohshlional " madness.
Constantnople did not surrender be-
cause it was starved; it was regularly
taken by storm. While the mob accu..
ed the Emperor Of treason Mahome
kept firing his $50 ton guns against tn
walls and making breach. He prom
ised his followers the plumber Of a ci,
which was then, after Rome, the riches
in the world. TIE last attack was pre-
cedetlby sslemn tasting and By prayers.
1t began on the :Sth Of May in the mid
die Of the day. The resistance of the
Greeks and Italians, who we're fighting,
one against twenty, was truly heroic.
Constantine was among his troops, and
showed the greatest bravery. Giustini
ami was mortally wounded. In the eve
ming, the Italians, having lost the.r
chief, took to their ships and abandonc
the unfortunate Emperor. The battle b..
gan again the next day; the Emperor
fought like common soldier, like q
new Samson" The fight was hand.
to-hand. Constantine fell in the Cor.
mage, and the confusion was such that
his loss was not noticed at first. His
body was found afterward in mass Of
corpses. Tha Turks we're at last with.
m'the city. They had been promis cd
three days Of pnnder; they sacked the
magnificent Capital numerically. The
pen Of Victor Hugo could hardly describe
the scenes Of horror Of. which Byzantium
became the theater. Bloodrsn in torrents
in the streets. An Italian witness says
that "cOrpses were floating on the Oar.
danelles like spoiled melons on the.
canals Of Venice" Some historians
speak Of 10000 victims. some Of &C, 900
victims. The most noble ladies were
given up to barbar0uD soldiey II, 900
pris018x v@e nalN Only0 the rict.
Sst cldss, 40 thS 1op6sl rsassn. God,
silver, bronze, precious stones, orna.
ments, were seized everywhere. What
could poksb& takeo VI daDeroyed. The
coAt6ns And churches were especially
marked for plumber. Saint Sophia be.
came the scene Of . horrible orgy. Ma.
AOmSt msdl M entity { alAong the
0sses ~ vent d Aoueback to
ESaaat Sopnl& tn ehhfsN Eom that
moment became . mosque, and the
cregqept took the place pi he cgoes. II
Is 6etter 10 throw vsl over The sncess.
es Of Mahomet and Of his lieutenants.
The Turks showed no mercy, no gener.
csity; they trsmpled upoa their u ctims
like 90 nant Wild beas.s. 'ill
Europe learned with horror the do.
tails Of tho fall Of Constantinople. There
wss > csll from many sides ior, . new
crusade. In the year 1850 the crusade
bed not yet begun; aad when lately tho |
Rnssisas. sncsInped befose Constantine.
pie, saw In the dis&aacs The dome Of
Saint Sophia. they had the sineular |