OF THE TURKISH MONARCHY. 



29 



of part of the subjects of the European division of the empire. The 

 improved state, and increased intelligence of the Greeks of the pre- 

 sent day may be ascribed to their commerce and communication with 

 the various countries of Europe. The extension of trade has been 

 the instrument of much benefit to the nation ; it furnishes employ- 

 ment to many thousand sailors, distinguished for activity and industry. 

 The Turkish governors are induced from motives of interest to pro- 

 tect the Greek merchants ; and these, again, by their wealth are 

 enabled to defray more easily the demands made upon them. The 

 weight of that yoke " which neither they nor their fathers have been 

 « able to bear," is in some degree lightened; and they have the power 

 of promoting a great and valuable object, the institution of schools 

 for the instruction of their countrymen. 



We are reminded in some measure of the better days of Greece, 

 when we contemplate the physical character of the modern inhabi- 

 tants of that country. This, at least, has not been altered by the 

 political degradation to which they have long been exposed. If the 

 white complexion and long flaxen hair of the Vandals may be still 

 discovered in the heart of the Moorish tribes, (Shaw) ; if the in- 

 habitants of Normandy still resemble the Danes, whose ancestors, 

 ten centuries ago, were fixed in that part of France, (Volney) ; if 

 the Copts, though they have been mixed with other nations, still 

 retain* the Egyptian conformation of face, we may reasonably sup- 

 pose that the features and physiognomy of the modern Greeks bear 

 a resemblance to those of the ancient inhabitants of the country. 

 The steps which have been taken to diffuse education and literature 

 among them must be attended with great benefits ; but, after all, it 

 is not mere instruction that can do much ; the advantages to be de- 

 rived from it must at present be confined within narrow limits. The 

 character of man is formed by civil institutions ; and any great na- 

 tional improvement is incompatible with the actual situation of the 

 Greeks. Their political condition forbids the full exercise of those 



* Browne, p. 72. 



