The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-28

Then came his departure from Eng
land and his life of extreme excess in
Venice. After that his attachment for
the Countess Teresa Guiccioli in which
his better nature began to assert itself
again, and last of all his attempt to aid
Greece to recover her liberties in which
he was a true hero. III =
Thru all this, even when his excuses
were EXTREMIST and his vices vilest the
author makes him disconnected atheist,
ever refusing to believe, yet ever ques-
tioning his own denial Of God under his
seeming depravity a growth of charac-
ter continuing until the end. In this the
author is borne out by history, however
that may refuse to support her almost
fragrant exaggerations and liberties in
other things.
In Fight for Greece.
Gordon, having become the leader Ct
the Greeks in their revolt against Tur-
key, according to John Michel, one of his
biographers, was slowly. dying of malaria
contracted in the field. He had tainted a
while before from excessive bleeding at
the hands of the doctors, and was lying
in bed when a crowd of mutinous Suli-
otes broke into the room. Mr.. Nichol
quotes Colonel Stanhopes account Of the
scene and =Gordon's behavior as follows:
/. ~ 1 :
Soon after his dreadful paroxysm, when he was
lying on his sickbed, with his whole nervous
system completely shaken, the mutinous Suliotes,
covered with dirt and splendid attires, broke
into his apartment brandshing their costly arms
and loudly demanding &heir rights. Lord Byron,
electrified by this unexpected act. seemed to
recover from his sickness; and the more the
Suliotes ragged the more his calm courage
triumphed. The scene was truly sublime.
According to Miss Rives the Suliotes
had been told that Lord Byron was liv-
ing in luxury. They slept on mats on the
ground. They were surprised, then, on
entering his room. To follow the book:
This was not the abode of soft luxury and
egos whose wealth was limitless. and who slipped
wines of liquid pearls, while they, their pa V.
ments in arrears, drank sharp raisinjuice. What
they at strange variance with this pic
ture. A chill stone chamber a meager repast
uncarpeted floors. A handful of men. each with
drawn sword. These-and form stretched
on a rough mattress. ensanguined bandage
about his forehead single gray-haired servant
llneeling by his side.
The man on the couch rose totteringIy, his
hand Oh his servants shoulder. He CHASTITY
white. but his eye flashed and burned as 1t
turned on those semibarbaric invaders.
Am | then to abandon your land to it's enc
eians born an n nands
because you yourselves bring all effort to naught
Fer what do you look? Is it gold? The money
brought has purchased cannon and aninunf
ton. 1t has furnished fleet 1t has cared
for your sick and set rations before your men
Do YOU demand preferment? You already
chiefs by birth and by election Have / taken
that away? Rank shall be yours-but do 20,
hope to earn it idly in camp. or fighting like
your fathers fought. like your own Botzaris
who fell for his country? Is 1t for yourselves
you ask these things now, or is it for Greece?'
AS he paused, a bnrley chieftain built like
a tower, thrust up his hafftF and turned to the
rest. speaking rapidly and with many gesticuia.
lions. He pointed to the rough couch, to the
coarse fare on the table. -
All at once he barred his breast, slashed it with
his dagger, and touched his knee to the ground