the numerous islands of Greece, and to the great variety which those peculiarities have caused in climate, productions, manners, occupations and interests. The example of ancient history, and the very general feeling of the people, as shewn in their almost spontaneous assemblage from the several islands and districts in congress, seem to concur in indicating that Greece, if she succeeds in establishing her liberation, is destined to be a federative republic. But it cannot be concealed, at the same time, that this republican tendancy causes the situation of the people at the present moment to be still more beset with difficulties than it would otherwise be, by rendering less easy that ability to maintain order which must precede the acknowledgment of their independence by civilized Europe; for it is to the same physical peculiarities of the country which have just been alluded to that we may trace the real origin of that στασιῶδες and διχόνοια, that spirit of faction and dissension, which characterized the ancient Greeks, and which has been conspicuous from the beginning of the present contest, preventing the exertions of the best men from having a full effect, suppressing all combination of useful measures, impeding the formation of a cen

tral authority, and leaving success to depend upon the rude uncombined exertions of the national will.

But if the Greeks have shewn a want of union as great as that of their ancestors at the time of the Persian invasion, it cannot be denied that the difficulties of their situation are infinitely greater, and that while the contest in which they are cngaged is still more truly an ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀγών, than when these words formed part of the song of the Greeks, as they advanced to battle at Salamis,* their previous condition has left them little hope of finding among themselves any of those great characters, which led their ancestors to victory and peace.

Nor, when they shall be relieved from external war, will the arduousness of the great attempt, upon which the people is now engaged, appear diminished on a comparative reference to the situation of ancient Greece. It will not be sufficient for them to form such a divided nation, as, when having successfully resisted in arms the most formidable power with which they were in contact, and mighty in their superiority to all other people in science and the arts, they could indulge in internal emulation, carried to the extreme of *Eschyl. Pers. v. 405.

hostility. Compared to the rest of Europe, revived Greece will be what the least civilized of its ancient states was to the whole nation; and such a federative union as that of the Amphictyonic council cannot be tolerated in the great republic of modern Europe.

It has been thought impossible by some persons, that the present generation of Greeks, demoralized as they are by their long oriental servitude, should be able to govern themselves. We shall not be so rash as to hazard a prediction on this point: it may indeed be reasonably feared, that the effects of this degradation of character, repressed in a great measure at present by the general danger, will be even more conspicuous when the Greeks are independent. On the other hand, the necessity of an united government may go far towards creating it. A community of religion and a constant intercourse with the civilized world; the increased effect of Christianity, when no longer in chains, upon the national character; a church far from adverse to the promotion of useful knowledge among the people, and much less superstitious than could have been expected under its circumstances, these advantages, in some of which the modern Greeks are so im

mensely superior to their ancestors, can hardly fail to effect a rapid amelioration in their moral condition. Already some strong indications of improvement may be remarked in every class of the people. Among the more civilized who are now attempting to govern the nation, may be perceived an anxiety to merit the good opinion, as well as to profit by the advice, superior knowledge, and political experience of those who are more enlightened than themselves. Instead of those unreasonable expectations of an European crusade in their favour, which many of the Greeks at first entertained; instead of captious complaints and unbecoming remonstrances, arising from the want of a proper sense of their own situation, or from their ignorance of the history and international rights of others; further observation seems already to have convinced the more informed among them that they ought to be thankful for that neutral policy, which has left them to depend upon their own exertions, the only possible road to real independence. Among the ruder classes, to whose persevering efforts by sea and land the nation is indebted for its progress towards freedom, it would be unreasonable to expect that the traces of semi-barbarism should at once be obliterated.

As long as their contest continues with an enemy more barbarous than themselves, it cannot be doubted, that we shall occasionally hear complaints of inhumanity and anarchy. On the part of the great majority of their leaders, however, there is a strong desire to arrive at that state of discipline, both civil and military, which can alone correct those irregularities, and save the nation from the disgrace which continues to be not unfrequently inflicted upon it by the faults of individuals.

The further progress of the endeavours of the Greeks to complete their avayévvnois, by entering into the great community of Christian nations, will be chiefly determined by their ability to correct that contentious spirit which is closely allied with their better qualities of industry, enterprize, and genius; and to establish such a state of order among themselves, as shall invite the friendly intercourse of civilized governments, and justify the acknowledgment of their independence. In the mean time they ought cautiously to avoid, in their conduct towards those powers with whom they come into contact, any of that insolence which success or ignorance, or a republican spirit are too apt to generate. It is no less important that they