58 Fair Play for Greece. . [JAN. 



their power to act like men, and whether they have not been misrepre- 

 sented in some instances, and misunderstood in others ? 



The history of the siege of Missolonghi is replete with well authenti- 

 cated anecdotes of individual courage. The garrison consisted of num- 

 bers from every part of Greece Episotes, ^Etolians, and Acarnanians, 

 as well as the native population of Missolonghi. How then can it be 

 said that men, who, in circumstances the most distressing, fought, as they 

 have fought, often hand to hand, do not possess courage ? The nume- 

 rous sorties which they made repel the accusation sometimes brought, that 

 they fight well only behind stone walls. And the exploits of the islanders, 

 as they are testified by various officers of our own ships of war, wit- 

 nesses of the actions, throw back the aspersions in the face of their pro- 

 pagators. 



The small body of cavalry, whose gallantry near Tripolitza has been 

 often alluded to, proved the intrepidity of which the Greeks are capable, 

 even when combating in a manner to which they were unused, and at 

 which, consequently, they were inexpert. If it be urged that these are 

 only rare and isolated facts, we should be glad to learn, why they are 

 not brought forward in their behalf, as well as those which tend to their 

 reproach ? And let it be particularly remembered, that, although the 

 Greeks have fled before the Turks, or suffered them to eascape when 

 every appearance might have promised their total annihilation, yet when 

 they have fought, under almost all circumstances they have had the 

 better of the contest. Perhaps the results were not important ; perhaps 

 they knew not sufficiently how to make the most of a victory ; but still, 

 whenever it came to the trial of physical strength, the Greeks have been 

 invariably victorious. Why then should we be told that they are natu- 

 rally the " hares" which Turkish scorn, confident in its own might, once 

 designated them. What were they who defeated Dramali Pacha in the 

 " Valley of Death ?" and Kioutaki, in the first beleagues of Misso- 

 longhi ? They who took Corinth, Tripolitza, Monembasia, Napoli di 

 Romania, and Athens? We shall be answered, no doubt, that famine 

 was their auxiliary; that pestilence overcame the adversary, and not 

 Grecian courage. Then let them say how Missolonghi was defended 

 with famine fighting for the Turkish hordes and how it was yielded ! 

 with every stone upturned, and literally swimming in blood ! The 

 Souliotes are distinguished for their valour ; the Roumeliotes have never 

 been reproached with the want of it. The exploits of the islanders are 

 the theme of every tongue ; individual acts of the most daring bravery 

 have been exhibited repeatedly by the inhabitants of almost every pro- 

 vince bearing a Greek name ; and yet Greece is held up to obloquy as 

 a nation of cowards and traitors ! Is this justice ? 



Nothing can better evince the ignorant spleen, and paltry trifling of 

 the oppugners of this people, than the denial that they are the descend- 

 ants of the ancient Greeks ; while, almost in one breath, they assert 

 them to be "the same canaille that existed in the days of Themistocles." 

 Then, they were crafty and treacherous, mutable and factious : therefore, 

 .in times as diversified under circumstances as varied as ever operated 

 upon thejjuman heart they are charged with being the very sons of 

 supposititious parents ! But this is the age of absurdity. Theories are 

 constructed fashion consecrates them, and they float awhile on the breath 

 of popular caprice, to fall at last into their primitive insignificance. It 

 is not our purpose here to become the apologist of the ancient Greeks : 



