The Sun. — 1826-12-26 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY CHANNEL.) " CORFU, Nov. 16.—The action at Athens, on the 18th October last, in which the celebrated Goura, Governor of the place, Was killed by a bomb, admits of no doubt. The attack began on tht part of the Turks, who attempted to make themselves masters of the citadel, but having met with a brave resistance, were obliged to retire. Profiting by this advantage, the Governor made a sally from the citadel to charge the enemy. Thence tke action Was renewed in the city, and• in this Goura was killed. Notwithstanding this circumstance, the combat continued, and the Turks being threatened by a Greek corps without the city, were forced to withdraw to the distance of three leagues beyond Athens, to secure a position suitable for the defence of the rest of their army. " Dunchio Botzaris, eon of the late Greek General of that name, has arrived in this city, he will go in the spring to Bavaria.  " The Greek vessels which sailed from Spenia to follow piracy, contrary to the orders of their own Government, have returned to Port. The cases of piracy are become less frequent in consequence of the 'vigilance of several squadrons which cruise in the Archipelago, in protecting and convoying the merchant yeses's.  " VigNNA, Disc. 14.--liffetalliques, 901—Bank Shares, 1115.  /Hamburg') papers of the 20th instant .have been re`calved this morning. Under the head of St. Peters. burgh it appears that Prince IVIrNziKoFF had arrived there on the Ist, from Tiflis, no doubt to put the Government in full possession of all matters private as well as public, relative to the Persian war. 'We regret to perceive that a dreadful murder had been perpetrated in St. Petersburgh on a foreign merchant of respectability, named H OPPE, and probably an Englishman. Count ARAKTSCIIEJIMT who had been sent on his travels, is about to return to Russia, but not to take the command of the military colonies. It appears that a duel had lately taken place in the capital between a cornet and a major of hussars, in which the major Was killed. A court-martial sentenced the survivor to be deprived of his nobility, and banished to Siberia. The proper severity of this sentence the Emperor mitigated by annulling the banishment, but the cornet is degraded to serve as a private soldier. Were officers in the army generally subjected to such degradation it would tend very much to correct the absurd propensity of having recourse to duelling on every petty occasion of wounded honour or offended sensibility, In fact, if it were made a rule of service that none but cowards send challenges, it would eventually put down a practice as irreconcilcable with common sense as it is subversive of morality, and contrary to the laws of God and man. Setting aside its iniquity, duelling must always be unjust to one of 'the parties—the aggressor standing the same chance 'as the aggrieved,—and but few causes can arise Where the sacrifice of human life—even though always that of the aggressor, would be considered by disPeesionate minds as a justifiable atonement. Cowards at heart, will still be cowards, notwithstanding the mock-heroic eclat attendant upon the busy notoriety of having sent a blustering challenge. The "ward endeavours to maintain a brave reputation at  the expence'of truth, while he outrages propriety by hie ridiculous bravado. True courage despises, the affectation of bravery—cowardice alone— " Affects a virtue which it flares not feel." We subjoin a few extracts :