the English, French, and Russian | ambassadors in 1828; on whose joint reports the allied governments settled the basis of the new Greek monarchy. Three years afterwards it became the scene of the outbreak of the revolution which led to the death of Capo d'Istrias. The chiefs of the Constitutional party, alarmed at the despotic conduct of Capo d'Istrias, supported by the English and Russian residents, took refuge at Hydra, where they established a newspaper, called the "Apollo," which awakened the patriotism of Greece, and called on the nation to defend their rights. Capo d'Istrias having given orders to seize the national marine at Poros, with the view of attacking the islands, Miaulis, the high-admiral of Greece, acting under instructions from the primates of Hydra, suddenly crossed the Peninsula, and took possession of the Hellas frigate. Incensed at this triumph, the Russian Admiral Ricord, at that time the senior officer at Nauplia, proceeded in company with Capt. Lyons and Capt. Lalande to Poros, where he intended to destroy, at one blow, the island primates opposed to Russian ascendency. Captains Lyons and Lalande did all they could to prevent this, and went away. Miaulis also apprised Admiral Ricord that if a single boat approached the Hellas, he would immediately set fire to it. Admiral Ricord having in vain attempted to persuade the English and French commanders to take part in this enterprise, attacked the Greek flotilla; whereupon Miaulis consigned the Hellas to the flames; the Russians having the barbarity to fire the defenceless town. Poros since 1830 has been the arsenal of Greece; a fine steamer and a corvette of 1000 tons, with many small vessels, have been built there under the direction of Capt. Tombazi, who studied naval architecture in England. The naval yard of Poros is now on a very small scale, but there is no want of skill or means to build vessels, were funds provided for the purpose. 152 SECTION IV. TURKEY. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION. 1. Firmans.-2. Mode of Travelling.—3. Tatars.-4. Travelling Servant. 5. Accommodation for Travellers. -6. Presents. —7. Money.-8. Weights and Measures. 1 9. Character of the Turks. 10. Manners and Customs. 13. Salutations and Modes of 12. Titles, &c. 11. Mohammedan Year.. The Turkish passports are of three classes, the Firman, the Bujourdee, and the Teskeré. The first can only be granted by the Sultan or by a Pasha, and cannot be obtained at Smyrna, the Governor of Smyrna being an officer of inferior rank. The two latter can be granted by him; either of them will answer the purpose required, but the Bujourdee is rather an order to the police to provide horses than a passport. It is always, however, very useful, in case the traveller should want horses or send a messenger, as he then only pays to the postmaster the same as a Turkish government courier, viz., from 3 to 4 piastres per hour, for a single horse. The traveller provided with a Firman will rarely find it necessary to use his passport, as it will never be demanded of him; it will only be in case of any difficulty, or of his being forced to apply to the authorities for redress, that he will find occasion to present it. It is usual, however, when he pays his respects to a Governor, for his interpreter to show it either to his Excellency or to his Secretary, and it is sometimes convenient in order to enable the Consuls and Residents to be certain of the traveller's identity. The visa of a passport is half a dollar. When the traveller obtains a Firman he should, in order to prevent annoyance, endeavour to have his name and title well written, together with the names of the countries where he intends to travel, and if possible he should obtain a translation of his Firman. 2. MODE OF TRAVELLING. In Turkey so much is paid by the hour, and there are so many hours calculated between each post-town. In the interior of Turkey, 1 piastre a horse per hour, and the horse of the Surroudjee, or driver, is to be paid for; a very small present, from 2 to 5 piastres, according to the length of the stage, satisfies the man who accompanies the horses. The chief stable-man is entitled to a small gratuity. On the high-road between Constantinople and Adrianople, 2 piastres are paid per horse. A teskeré, or order for post-horses, must be shown at every station to enable the traveller to procure horses. The amount of speed depends mainly upon the Bakshish, or present to the driver. In every town where a Pasha resides, it is desirable that the traveller should visit and obtain from him a teskeré setting forth everything he will require in his journey; in this teskeré should be inserted an order to billet him upon the Christians in any town or village, to the Postmasters to furnish him with good horses, and, should speed be an object, that they shall be driven rapidly, and any other points which may strike the traveller as useful. The Postmaster in a Turkish town is a man of some consideration. The post-stations are usually about 12 to 18 English miles distant from each other. 3. TATARS. If the traveller be accompanied by a Tatar, his bargain with him is like the Italian patto with the Vetturino. He undertakes to provide horses, food, and lodging at a fixed price. The utility of travelling with these Tatars has been much insisted upon; but, with very few exceptions, they are only of use in providing horses without delay, and adding to the consideration of the traveller: on arriving at a Khan they usually leave their employer to do the best for himself. They are very expensive, and they may easily be dispensed with, unless on a long and speedy journey, or when 3 or 4 persons are travelling together. From Constantinople to Bagdad the Tatars alone cost 401. 4. TRAVELLING SERVANT. Although a servant is not absolutely necessary, the traveller is recommended to provide himself with one acquainted with the Greek, Turkish, and Bulgarian languages, and who will engage himself by writing to do all he will be ordered to do. In most of the large towns there are merchants who speak Italian. A professed Dragoman should be avoided. Egyptian servants who have travelled with Europeans generally know a little of all the necessary languages, and are able to cook, &c. ; with these qualifications, they may be had for 15 to 18 dollars per month. 5. ACCOMMODATION FOR TRAVELLErs. There are generally Khans, or inns, established at every two or three hours' distance on the road; but they never offer any further accommodation than a clean mat. In European Turkey, excepting in the large towns, they are generally bad, and much infested with vermin. Nothing is provided, and the traveller must send out for what he requires. He will do well to replenish his stores in the large towns. In the towns of Asia Minor, good accommodation for a night or two will be found at the Khans; for a longer stay, it is better to hire a room in a private house. When the traveller is obliged to put up in a Khan, the first |