The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-05


of general or. technical knowledge, are
forced to earn their bread by means OF
uncongenial work.
POLITICAL AGITATION.
These individuals are dissatisfied with
the established order of things, which
makes no special provision for them, and
they gladly lend their hand to social re-
formers or political agitators or all par
ties and professions. Not that there
are any political parties in Greece In the
sense in which these exist in most con-
stitutional countries. Men, not meas
ures, is the universal cry: Individual IN
terest is the line of cleavage. Inc
crowd follows one of the two men
whose heads are above those of their
fellows. The successful leader then pro-
vides places for the few who are chosen
as well as called, and high-sounding rhe-
toric for the many. People change sldes
from time to time according to the out
look, and nobody accuses them or oelng
renegades. In no case is there any prln-
ciple at stake. The members of the lit
tie Parliament at Athens receive but a
couple of thousand drachmas a year
(roughly speaking ESQ from the State;
but in some cases this constitutes the
sole support of the legislators family.
But they are frugal and temperate
to an extra ordinary degree, and possess
the art OF being thrifty with far more
grace than other people can throw into
their lavish hospitality. A few black
olives and a chunk of coarse, Sourish
bread will support the life of a Greek
for any length of time, and his lnge-
nuity in obtaining these is matched only
by his dislike to work for more than the
mere necessaries of existence. Some
body said that if you put two Greeks on
a bleak, rocky island they will manage
to live upon each other for years, ana
will always call each other adele
(brother). 1t is mystery to most traV-
elers how the people on this or that Sc
questered and barren island manage TO
exc out a livelihood under circum-
stances which would make even Ger
man sick at heart. Yet they not only
solve the problem successfully, but dress
prettily ,and carry themselves with
such simple dignity as Spanish HI
dalgo might well envy. / have seen
women vie with the goats in plucking
herbs and grasses in the interstices OF
the brown, stony hills of the Island OF
Milos, and yet prepare from the result
of their labors soups, salads and other
dishes which not only supported life but
kept up appearances more effectua1ly
than the poor devices of Charles Lambs
retired officer.
FAMILY VIRTUES.
The family life of the Greeks of to-day
is in every respect exemplary. 1t may
well be doubted whether in any other
part of the world the marital, parental
and filial virtues flourish to the same
extent as among this people. which for
centuries has been necessarily exposed
to the disintegrating influences of Ma
hometan misrule. Conjugal infidelity,
amorous intrigues and all the piquant
sauces in which the eternal French
drama is invariably served UP are prac-
tically unknown here, where all that is
good in Oriental family life has been
harmoniously intertwined with the best
traditions of the West. Each family is
community to itself, which grows un-
til it spreads out into several branches.
Not only in the interior, but in Athens,
Corfu, Milos, etc, many families are to
tons, all living in peace and anity in
the same house, and governed by the un-
questioned Will of the oldest. The grand
parents, their married sons and the mar
red and manageable children of these
are all found pulling together, as If ami
mated by one will, directed to one and
the same end. This is the root of that
enthusiastic patriotism which is one of
the most striking characteristics of the
Greeks. Every countryman is brother
! by race and by religion. Generally
practical and shrewd, in spite of APP
parent ideaiism, the Greek is ready to
sacrifice everything and every one to
patriotism, which to him is the embo-
diment of Christianity as we'll as politics.
l have seen some of the jeunesse doree
of Athens leave their luxurious life and
its manifold enjoyments and hurry off
| to the camp of Colonel Vassos, where
they lived cheerfully for weeks without
even the very elements of incipient
civilization, bedless, breadless, knifeless
country is one of the few really political
traits in the Greek character.
REPUBLICANS BY NATURE.
Another is their pronounced leaning
! toward democracy. They are republic
cans by nature, and chafe under the con-
stitutional monarchy more even than
did the Israelites of old under the des-
potic rule of Saul. Whenever anything
goes wrong, they bethink themselves of
the necessity of establishing a republic.
The nature of the calamity is of little
consequence-it may be bad currant
harvest or a fall in the price of export
produce; but the remedy is always the
same. And this tendency was fostered
and exaggerated by the late Premier,
NJ. TricouDis, who has caused it to
spread widely. Before the present crisis
King Georges throne was shaken At
present that monarch is, so to say, on
his trial, and will have to suffer in his
| own person for any diplomatic rebuff
which may result from the action Of
Europe. Whether Greek republic will
be more amenable to European coun-
sells than the Greek monarchy has been
Is Droblematical. Facts, however, are
facts
Abroad. the Greeks have a reputation
for sharpness and hardheartedness
which does them enormous harm. 1t is
possible, but unlikely, that their char
acter undergoes change under the in
| fluence of foreign climates and sur
roundings. At home, however, they are
| kindhearted to degree equaled only
| by the Slav. Greece is one of the poor
est of European countries Most of her
| people have sharp struggle for exist
ence, in which few but themselves could
! hone Vet
or child ever dies of hunger among them.
/ fihn thing ic LIZ