tobacco-bag. Then came the capitano himself, in a magnificent Albanian costume, which, in gala days, is of velvet, embroidered with gold; the right hand on his silver-gilt pistols; the left shoulder occupied in supporting his hanging okkara. He then theatrically strutted along the streets, throwing contemptuous glances at all who passed by; each of his steps accompanied by the argentine sounds of his silver chains and xaquad. At a respectful distance followed his train, seldom composed of less than fifty soldiers*.

Accustomed as I had been, before and after my arrival at Mesolonghi, to hear constant mention made of the extreme poverty of the Greeks, I felt not a

* I had the curiosity to ascertain the cost of the silver arms and ornaments, supposed to be necessary to complete the dress of au Albanian. The following is the result of my inquiries:

Five buckles for fastening around the waist the oλadixi,

or leathern pouch in which the pistols, yataghan, &c.

are worn

Vataghan, with silver sheath and handle

Hamrod for pistols (yapßi) (it often contains a dirk)
Kuite with silver chain

A qual, or small box with the image of St. George
chubossed on its outside. It contains relics and amulets
against fascination. It is worn on the right side, and
is toponded by a silver chain across the chest

Au Albaubau sword with silver sheath
Right buckles for knees and ankles

The clothes cost no less than a hundred dollars; often twice,

and sometimes even thrice, that sum.

little surprised at first to see the most profuse display of handsome silver arms and valuable military ornaments, on those very individuals, who were loudest in their complaints. But I soon came to the conclusion, that either the Greeks were not in so critical a position, or their pecuniary means not so exhausted as they represented; or that every spark of patriotism was extinct among them. I recollected the generous manner, in which the citizens of almost every nation in Europe have, during public emergencies, spontaneously offered their jewels, silver, plate, nay, even their entire fortune, to assist their country. I thought too of the noble enthusiasm that animated, a few years ago, in Prussia even the females; and induced them to consecrate to the maintenance of the army their most precious ornaments; and, with a noble pride, to replace them with iron. I expected the same sacrifices from the sons of Greece; not knowing yet, that slavery had left in their hearts no other feelings than those of the most absolute egotism.

CHAPTER VII.

Mavrocordato opens the sittings of the General Assembly-His speech-Propositions-Manner in which the propositions are treated-Address of the assembly to the government.

On the 23d of December, O. S., Mavrocordato opened the sittings of the general assembly by the following speech. I have given a translation of it, to enable the reader to judge for himself, of the sentiments that animated this most unjustly abused patriot; and of his talents as an orator.

"Gentlemen,

"Unbounded as was my joy, on treading the soil of Western Greece, to learn that your patriotic efforts, your resolution and courage, had defeated all the plans of the enemy; forcing his numerous army, which threatened not only to swallow up this part of Greece, but also to invade the Peloponnesus, to abandon with loss and shame the confines of liberated Greece; no less great is that which I, this day, experience in seeing myself in the midst of so numerous an assembly. I cannot but entertain the liveliest hopes, that it will give birth to many important consequences. For I can affirm, it has spontaneously taken place; owing to the persuasion, felt by the inhabitants of this country, of the necessity of meeting, to examine the state of things in the different prefectures; to inquire into their respective wants; and to deliberate on the mode of providing for them. Led by these motives, since you have with one mind felt the ne

cessity of consulting, in order to discover what is most advantageous and most useful to the public, I doubt not, but that the good results of your assembly will be general, and will correspond to the intention you had in view, when you proposed coming together.

"If it be often difficult for two or three individuals to agree in their opinions, this is certainly yet more so in a numerous assembly. But that harmony, which has for its basis the impartial examination of what concerns the public weal, far from being detrimental, proves on the contrary of the greatest utility. It leads to the discovery of what is most useful, the end aimed at by every one, when, as above observed, the principal object is an unprejudiced inquiry after truth. That, which gives rise to the most injurious consequences, and which not only you must avoid, but rectify, should it exist amongst you, is the spirit of discord; the exacerbation of your passions, and the concerns of civil broils. Against these you must establish, as the only safe and desirable barrier, union, impartiality, and brotherly harmony.

"I deem it superfluous to enumerate the manifold evils, to which similar discords may give birth; or to quote instances from history; when we have the examples before our eyes. May what we have hitherto suffered serve us as a lesson! I shall venture, however, to say, that fearless as I have ever been of the enemy's forces, which experience has demonstrated we were competent to repel, and which, in future, we may yet more confidently set at defiance, I ever dreaded the consequences of our internal dissensions; because I have in reality seen, that they produce more evils than the efforts of the enemy, were they even double what they are. I am not single in holding this opinion. This apprehension has not been felt by me alone. Many wise men, all the friends of

our liberty, entertain the same fears and mode of thinking. To which of us has not the reflection occurred, that if, even when disunited, we have resisted the late and the preceding invasion; strengthened by concord, we might have attacked the enemy; and carrying desolation and terror into the very heart of his country, forced him to subscribe to our independence? Now, although victorious, since we drove back the invaders, we have yet suffered severely; our country is devastated, and many a prefecture is reduced to a desert, the revenues of which might have defrayed the expenses of the war.

This

"I cannot credit the excuse, alleged by many, that poverty is the cause of our dissensions, and forces us to wait for, instead of attacking the enemy. poverty I cannot perceive. On the contrary, after an attentive investigation, I know that Greece possesses all the necessary means, and even more than is requisite, to carry on the war. It suffices, that we pay attention to the administration of these means; that they be not squandered; that government may employ them, where, and how it is necessary. But let us even suppose, that Greece cannot afford these means; that, notwithstanding the best administration, her revenues do not suffice to meet her exigencies; and that we are obliged to seek abroad for pecuniary assistance; will discord prove the best mode of obtaining our purpose? Certainly not; for who will advance money without knowing to whom he lends it; whence and how it will be repaid? A loan is made to a government; but, before a government can negotiate it, it must have it in its power to offer sufficient guarantees to the lenders. But it enjoys that faculty only when it is obeyed; and when every citizen concurs to support and strengthen its authority. The contrary of this is the source, from which