it was surrounded, inspired his brave and magnanimous heart with the frank and generous resolution of exercising all the powers he possessed towards preparing for its emancipation.

It was Rhigas that first conceived, in a vast area, the bold, active, and enterprising, project, of creating a grand Secret Society, and he was not long in forming it. His mind, constantly moving in the direction of this principle, he gained over bishops, archons, rich merchants, the learned, captains by sea and land, in short, the flower of the Greek nation, with many foreigners of distinction. But how he could spread his witcheries, so as to captivate and enchant many Turks of the highest order, nothing but the unjust restraints imposed upon them by their sovereign, or rather the delirium of mind excited by outrages frequently bursting forth, with all the fury of a convulsive volcano, will account for it.

Among other Turks driven to desperation by such conduct, was Passwan Oglou, whose valour and martial skill were long the subjects of numberless calamities to the Porte, at times filling it with terror and consternation. He entered into this association of Rhigas.

Rhigas, afterwards, proceeded to Vienna, where he met with a number of rich Greek merchants, and some learned emigrants of the same nation. From that capital, he extended his correspondence with his co-associates throughout Greece and Europe.

Nor would he withdraw himself from his alliance with literature, commencing with a Greek journal for the instruction of his countrymen. He translated the "Travels of Young Anacharsis;" he composed and published a "Treatise of Military Tactics," an "Elementary Treatise of Physics for General Readers;" he also translated into modern Greek a French work, entitled, "L'Ecole des Amans Delicats, the School of Delicate Lovers." In this translation he has correctly imitated the style of the archons of Constantinople, designated

by the name of Phanariotes. This work had a very extensive circulation. He also published an excellent translation of "Marmontel's Shepherdess of the Alps." He had busily employed himself in drawing up national cantatas in the popular style; in these pieces, he had collected all the tender sentiments that attach the hearts of youth to their country, all that could elicit the sparks of zeal, and kindle the sacred flame of hostility to that domineering which composed the character of the Turks. In the sympathetic power of these, he imitated the Marseilles hymn,-" Alons, Enfans de la Patrie ;" and they have irresistibly drawn, as by a charm, a mutual enthusiasm of passions, forming an indissoluble cement of the patriotic affections.

Their first appear

ance had strong and decided effects on minds of sensibility, and his song of Heroes, have not you lived long enough on the mountains?' is not, nor will easily be, forgotten. In perfect accordance with the public feelings, they are chanted by the youth in advancing to battle; and experience declares, that they have been of the greatest use in steeling the heart against the attacks which their injured, honest, cause, has generated.

Rhigas afterwards drew up a "Grand Chart of all Greece," in twelve divisions, wherein he noted, not only the present, but the ancient, names of all places celebrated in the Greek annals. Among other ornaments, it exhibited a great number of antique medals; and, as his songs formed a potent stimulus to martial exertions, so his Chart held out instructions to the European literati ; so that, though it is defective and incorrect, his zeal and progress were applauded. The expense was defrayed by his associates.

By the all-conquering force of his genius, this brave man first roused the spirit of his countrymen, infusing the firmness of hearts of oak, preparing them for battle and new triumphs, concerting, also, the means of destruction for the base myriads their impious murdering usurpers should bring against them. The several pas

sages here quoted prove that his claim to the credit which such discernment, such revolutionary feelings, deserve, was undoubtedly and indisputably just. The manner of terminating his career was tragical. A false brother, seeking to mend his fortune by the sale of his honour, denounced Rhigas, and eight of his friends, to the government of Austria, as conspirators. The emperor arrested them to be given up to the Ottoman Porte, except three that were naturalized Austrians.

This deplorable event was reported in all the European journals. The Moniteur thus notices it, borrowing an article from the Semlin Rubric. (Date 1798.) "We have seen, on their passage through this town, the eight Greeks arrested for seditious writings, and to be delivered to the Porte. They were bound two and two, and guarded by twenty-four soldiers, with two corporals, a superior officer, and a commissary. The soul of the party was Rhigas, a rich mer chant, and a native of Thessaly. His ruling passion has been the emancipation of his country. Some time before his arrest, Rhigas, from presentiment, removed from Vienna, but he was taken at Trieste. Five of the eight Greeks are to be forwarded to the Porte, the others are condemned to perpetual exile. Rhigas was powerfully supported by Mawroyeni, nephew to the famous hospodar of that name. The former of these is now living quiet at Paris."

It appears that these Greeks were afterwards thrown into the Danube, their conductors fearing to be intercepted by Passwan Oglou. This catastrophe, which was every where deplored, took place about the middle of May, 1798. Rhigas was then about five and forty years of age. Soon after, Althimos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Dean of the Greek Prelates, was ordered by Selim, the Turkish emperor, to publish a circular paternal address to all the Greeks, strongly recommending fidelity, &c. This circular was completely refuted by another, as being dictated by the Porte, In the preface, the author

says:-" Though our banners do not wave high in air, yet with religion for our bulwark, and freedom our shield, we are resolved to share in the glory of Rhigas; his call has awaked and raised us from our sleepy trance, and we will never yield to blasphemers and the slaves of a merciless despot. The dawn of liberty is only retarded by our jealousy of certain European powers."

The author, afterwards, in the animated spirit of genuine enthusiasm, an overwhelming burst of the imagination, effusions vigorous, natural, and luxuriant, calls attention aside to observe angels descending from Heaven, bearing along with them immortal palms to crown these martyrs of religion and liberty. He then feelingly and pathetically contrasts his circular, which he calls "Fraternal," with that falsely called "Paternal." He gives a full and distinct delineation of every interesting circumstance attending their present desolations, sympathizes with his dear country in every expression capable, by any means, of raising a high degree of interest and feeling, and not to let fire or sword cool their amor patriæ. He then produces a passage from their most eminent Eschylus, that, for its irresistible impetuosity, and energetic sublimity, has ever been justly admired as transcendant. Any translation must suffer by comparison; but the following, which indeed is only a literal rendering, may bear some resemblance to it. "Children of Greece, go forth, emancipate your country; let all ranks and descriptions, acting on the principles of men and citizens, principles which they have so often adopted, recommended, and sanctioned, combat in the cause of their children, wives, the gods of their fathers, and the tombs of their ancestors."

After his address to the Greeks in general, the author conveys further exhortations to the learned and rich, &c. to read, study, comprehend, and compare, the different statements of the two circulars, alledging that truth and justice may easily be found in the collision of false principles and delusive reasoning, with the sentiments

6

they have habitually acquired that perpetually meet their eyes and em ploy their vacant hours. "I call upon you," says he, "who are at the head of the nation, archons, members of the clergy, dignified with the title of Most Holy,' as enlightened and vigilant pastors, as the true ministers of God, discharge your duties, more especially in rendering your people capable of thinking for themselves, communicating that knowledge of social duties, which is conducted on proper principles, moral, religious, and political."

He advises the multiplication of Rhigas's original publications, &c. as, from their character, calculated, in

an amazing degree, to do infinite service, urging all to endeavour to comprehend the intelligence they convey, as dislodging prejudices, and giving a right bias to the mind. As likely also to beget those exertions, and that competition, which with salutary cau tion may keep pace with the wide spread effects of that intemperate criminal authority which has so long been acted on as irrefragable.

The death of Rhigas gave rise to a number of opuscules, or smaller works, in modern Greek. The most remarkable bore the title of " Nomocratio, or Sacred to the Manes of the Immortal Rhigas."

THE sun is warm, the sky is clear,
The waves are dancing fast and bright,
Blue isles and snowy mountains wear

The purple noon's transparent light
Around its unexpanded buds :

Like many a voice of one delight, The winds, the birds, the ocean floods,

The City's voice itself is soft, like Solitude's.

I see the Deep's untrampled floor

With green and purple seaweeds strown; I see the waves upon the shore,

Like light dissolved in star-showers, thrown:

I sit upon the sands alone,

The lightning of the noon-tide ocean

Is flashing round me, and a tone

Arises from its measured motion,

How sweet! did any heart now share in my emotion.

Alas! I have nor hope nor health,

Nor peace within, nor calm around,
Nor that content surpassing wealth
The sage in meditation found,
And walked with inward glory crowned--

Nor fame, nor power, nor love, nor leisure. Others I see whom these surround

Smiling they live and call life pleasure ;— To me that cup has been dealt in another measure. Yet now despair itself is mild,

Even as the winds and waters are;

I could lie down like a tired child,
And weep away the life of care
Which I have borne and yet must bear,
Till death like sleep might steal on me,
And I might feel in the warm air

My cheek grow cold, and hear the sea
Breathe o'er my dying brain its last monotony.

Some might lament that I were cold,

As I, when this sweet day is gone,
Which my lost heart, too soon grown old,
Insults with this untimely moan;
They might lament-for I am one

Whom men love not,-and yet regret,
Unlike this day, which, when the sun
Shall on its stainless glory set,

Will linger, tho' enjoy'd, like joy in memory yet.

In the "Annotations" upon Glan vill's Lux Orientalis, the author having occasion to quote from the Psalms "The sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night," in order to illustrate that class of cases where an ellipsis is to be suggested by the sense rather than directly indicated, says" the word burn cannot be repeated, but some other more suitable verb is to be supplied."-A gentleman bowever, who has lately returned from

Upper Egypt, &c. assures me that the moon does produce an effect on the skin which may as accurately be expressed by the word 'burn' as any solar effect. By sleeping a few hours under the light of a full moon, which is as much shunned in some parts of the East, as sleeping on the wet ground with us, or standing bareheaded under the noon-day sun in Bengal,-my informant brought a severe complaint upon his eyes.

Language so silvery, that every word
Was like the lute's awakening chord;
Skies half sunshine, and half starlight;
Flowers whose lives were a breath of delight;
Leaves whose green pomp knew no withering;
Fountains bright as the skies of our Spring;
And songs whose wild and passionate line
Suited a soul of romance like mine.

My power was but a woman's power;
Yet, in that great and glorious dower
Which Genius gives, I had my part:
I poured my full and burning heart
In song, and on the canvass made
My dreams of beauty visible;
I know not which I loved the most-

Pencil or lute, both loved so well.

This spirited commencement is however but an unfavourable exam

ple of the poem. It proceeds to depict the Improvisatrice's sensations on beholding the first produce of her pencil. Her next painting is of the immortal Poetess of Lesbos, to whom, in her genius, we have ventured to compare our own charming contemporary. The portrait is worthy of Raphael:

Her head was bending down,

As if in weariness, and near,

But unworn, was a laurel crown.

She was not beautiful, if bloom

And smiles form beauty; for, like death,
Her brow was ghastly; and her lip
Was parched, as fever were its breath.
There was a shade upon her dark,
Large, floating eyes, as if each spark
Of minstrel ecstasy was fled,
Yet, leaving them no tears to shed;
Fixed in their hopelessness of care,
And reckless in their great despair.
She sat beneath a cypress tree,
A little fountain ran beside,
And, in the distance, one dark rock
Threw its long shadow o'er the tide;
And to the west, where the nightfall
Was darkening day's gemm'd coronal,
Its white shafts crimsoning in the sky,
Arose the sun-god's sanctuary.

I deemed, that of lyre, life, and love
She was a long, last farewell taking;-
That, from her pale and parched lips,

Her latest, wildest song was breaking.

To this delicious personation (a few words of which we have marked in italics, to point their application to our introductory observations on the author's felicitous choice of epithets and true poetry of expression,) is added the improvised death-song of Sappho; than which we are acquainted with nothing more beautiful in our language:

As yet I loved not;--but each wild,
High thought I nourished raised a pyre
For love to light; and lighted once
By love, it would be like the fire,
The burning lava floods, that dwell
In Etna's cave unquenchable.

That moment, so fearful for such a heart, comes too soon. But before we go to that epocha, we would fain pause to extract "a Moorish Romance," which the scene suggests to memory; our limits, however, debar us from the gratification.

Leaving this sweet example of diversified talent, we can only find space for one feature of his portrait who has the glory of inspiring the Improvisatrice's bosom with love:

Such a lip!-oh, poured from thence
Lava floods of eloquence

Would come with fiery energy,
Like those words that cannot die.
Words the Grecian warrior spoke
When the Persian's chain he broke ;
Or that low and honey tone,
Making woman's heart his own;
Such as should be heard at night,
In the dim and sweet starlight;
Sounds that haunt a beauty's sleep,
Treasures for her heart to keep.

He spoke not when the others spoke,

His heart was all too full for praise;
But his dark eyes kept fixed on mine,

Which sank beneath their burning gaze.
Mine sank-but yet I felt the thrill
Of that look burning on me still.
I heard no word that others said---