ib. Origin of this intelligence principally owing to the Progress of Greek Commerce during the present century 565 Association of "the European Merchants" Greek merchants established at Malta Their traffic with the Black Sea and Spain Greek seamen on board the Ottoman Fleet. Progress of liberal sentiments in the provinces. Effects of the peace of 1816 on the Greeks. Its consequences to the Greek Commerce Downfall of Ali Pacha Precautions taken by him to avert his fate ib. HISTORY OF MODERN GREECE. CHAPTER XII. The Phanariots and Hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia. IT will be remembered that the reduction of Constantinople, in 1453, was mainly achieved by the extraordinary exploit of Mahomet II. in transporting his galleys from the Bosphorus to the interior of the harbour,* by dragging them over land from Dolma Bactche,f and again launching them opposite to the quarter denominated the Phanar, from a lantern suspended over the gate which there communicates with the city. The inhabitants of this district, either from terror or treachery, are said * See Vol. i. p. 132. Gibbon, c. lxviii. + Walsh's Journey from Constantinople, p. 32. Douglas's Modern Greeks, p. 164. to have subsequently thrown open a passage to the conqueror; and Mahomet, as a remuneration, assigned them for their residence this portion of Constantinople, which has since continued to be occupied by the Patriarch and the most distinguished families of the Greeks.* It is only, however, within the last century and half that the Phanariots have attained any distinction beyond that of merchants and bankers, or that their name, from merely designating their residence, has been used to indicate their diplomatic employments. Precluded by prejudice and the Koran from the study of any language except their own,† the Turks have always been accustomed to treat with foreign states through a Drogueman, or interpreter.‡ This office, under the early sultans, involved neither dignity nor important emolument; it was usually entrusted to Jews or Renegades ;§ and the Grammatikos, or translator, after the * Thornton, vol. ii. p. 313. + Zalloni, Essai sur les Fanariotes, p. 14-an exceedingly curious volume. This officer, with the same title, existed likewise under the Byzantine emperors. See Gibbon, c. liii. § Ibrahim, by birth a Pole, was interpreter during the embassy of Busbequius; and Spon mentions another, whose Polish name was Albertus Bobovius, who communicated to Rycaut the materials from which he composed his State of the Ottoman Empire. performance of his duty, was accustomed to retire amongst the other slaves and servants of the seraglio.* Down to the reign of Mahomet IV. about the close of the seventeenth century, this system remained unaltered, till a Greek, named Panayotaki, on whom the office was conferred, succeeded in having it invested with those honours, and endowed with those privileges, which it afterwards preserved. He was descended from an exiled family of Trebizond, and born in the Island of Scio, whence he removed to Italy for the study of medicine and philosophy. Amongst the Turks, who had lately abandoned the pursuit of alchemy, astrology was then a favourite science; and Panayotaki, humouring the taste of the day, soon ingratiated himself, by his proficiency, in the favour of the Grand Vizir Kiuprouli Mehmed Pacha. By the influence of this powerful patron he obtained the place of Court interpreter, and was nominated to attend the Vizir in his celebrated expedition to Crete.‡ Towards the conclusion of the memorable siege of Candia, the Turks were reduced to despondency, and the Sultan roused to exas * Carrel, p. 135. Zalloni, p. 15. + For some instances of his tact in prophecy, see Cantemir, book iii. p. 1. Vol. i. p. 212. peration by the protraction of the war, and the gallant defence of Morosini. A report, which had reached the Ottoman army, that the French were about to send a fleet to the aid of the Venetians, served to crown their dismay, when Panayotaki at once brought the pending struggle to an issue, and placed the city in the hands of Kiuprouli. By means of an Arab slave named Maxud,* he demanded an interview with the Venetian general, who had not yet heard of the promised succours. To him he represented the French as hostile to the Republic, and anxious to co-operate with the Porte rather than the Candiots; he dwelt on the certainty of their speedy reduction, should France unite her forces with those of the Vizir; and after pointing out the advantages of an honourable surrender, he retired, leaving Morosini fully impressed with the sincerity and justice of his counsel. The same night a detachment of the Ottoman squadron sailed, by the direction of the interpreter, towards the west of the island, and the following morning returning under French colours, were welcomed by the besiegers with all apparent joy and enthusiasm. Morosini, concluding that all hope was now over, sent to propose terms to Who related the circumstance to Cantemir, p. 258. |