DERIVATION OF "NEGROPONT.” 263 Friday, 25th Feb.-About noon Negropont appeared upon our starboard bow. The name of this island has been most singularly corrupted. Originally Eubea, it has, by the change of the Greek pronounciation of the letters Eu and b, into Ef and v, been converted into Efvæa, Efripo or Evripo, Egripo, Negripo, Negripont; which last has, I imagine, (with Wheeler and Hobhouse) been derived by confounding the three Greek words, εἰς τὸν Ἔγριπον, abbreviated in the vulgar dialect to 'στὸν Ἔγριπον, and pronounced as one word. A little after three o'clock we anchored in Port Mandri, near which Dr. Sibthorp noticed the ruins of a temple and the remains of an ancient town*. But his accounts are always meagre and unsatisfactory. Unfortunately our quarantine prevents any communication with the shore at present. A Maltese brig, at anchorage in this place, informs us, that she fell in with the Turkish fleet, consisting of twentyseven sail, off Patras, a few days ago. Saturday, 26th Feb.-Passed Cape Colonna * See Walpole's Travels in Greece. Vol. II. p. 34. 264 OFFICERS OF THE "BELLONA AUSTRIAČA." at an early hour this morning. The day broke rainy and cheerless; and the white pillars of the temple necessarily lost somewhat of their beauty from the dense atmosphere through which they were seen. But I distinguished enough to remember the "Bellona Austriaca,” and to anathematize her with due energy. This vessel is stationed at Smyrna; and it was our lot to see something of her officers at the Casino there. I would keep within bounds, and leave a portion of their merits to be guessed at by the sagacious reader: I will only say, therefore, that a greater set of bears never danced at a fair, or scribbled upon a column! And it is comfortable to reflect, that such really was the description of persons who had wantonly defaced a noble monument ! Anchored toward evening in Garden Bay, about six miles from Hydra: it rained violently, with some lightning. Last voyage a boat belonging to the Cambrian upset, in its way back from Hydra, in consequence of a sudden squall: all the crew, with the exception of three sailors, were lost. Sunday, 27th Feb.-The celebrated Greek Admiral Miaoulis, accompanied by his secre VISIT OF THE GREEK ADMIRAL MIAOULIS. 265 tary, came along-side the Cambrian, about two o'clock, for the purpose of conversing with Captain Hamilton. He is a grey-headed man, of about sixty years; of large but rather coarse features. His face, however, is far from bad; and his frame is bulky, and knit with the appearance of uncommon strength. A blue capote, lined with scarlet, covered a dress of brown cloth, fashioned after the national taste. He wore the common light scull-cap of his country, and grey mustachios decorated the upper lip. His appearance in a boat resembling a fisherman's, attended only by two or three sailors, together with the homely exterior which he presented, gave one no very lofty conception of the admiral of a Greek fleet! But there might be policy in this: he might wish as few auditors of what passed between him and the captain, as possible; and might think, with Petruchio, that ""Tis the mind that makes the body rich; And as the sun breaks thro' the darkest clouds, To say truth, it is one of the greatest weaknesses of humanity to be caught by the tinsel of adventitious circumstances. Such hold, 266 THE FORCE OF EXTERNAL APPEARANCE. however, has it upon the vulgar of all denominations; and so imperceptibly does it insinuate itself into the minds even of those who look farther than the superficies, that there are few upon whom the impression is not made; and its effect is often in full activity, when the cause has ceased to be remembered, or acknowledged. It is the "feathers green and gold," that occasion many an unprofitable twolegged thing to pass muster, and to assume a rank very far beyond its merit. It is this that enshrines it in public opinion. It is this that lightens up the most gloomy portions of human character, and throws an artificial sunshine over the vilest relations of life! But who knows it not? Can we pass from one threshold to another without observing it? Can the eye, possessing all its faculties, avoid distinguishing what has dyes so vivid, and magnitude so immense? Here men may need a monitor, but not information; they may think little of what long use has rendered familiar; but they cannot be ignorant of its presence, or of its power!-Enough. The admiral, Miaoulis, expressed himself disappointed at Captain Hamilton's intention to PRESENT OF A MEDAL TO MIAOULIS, 267 decline the horses which they were preparing to present to him. This, for private reasons, it was judged better to do; and Miaoulis therefore testified some reluctance in accepting a beautifully engraved medal of George IV. which the captain had received from our ambassador at Naples, and which bore some reference, on the obverse side, to the present state of Greece. It was of little value, although of admirable execution. Ultimately it was received. The Greek intimated that as soon as the government at Hydra learnt from the Seringapatam the defeat and capture of the pirates by our ships, they immediately sent out a schooner of war to cruise in that quarter: whether for the purpose of ascertaining on the spot what had passed, or perhaps of putting a stop to future piracies. The number of their squadron destined to oppose the Turks, he stated at forty vessels. But they had not as yet recommenced operations, although aware that the Turkish fleet had quitted the harbour and were sailing in pursuit of them. In opposition to this authentic communication, it may be amusing to subjoin an extract or two from Galignani's Messenger, dated 21st. Dec. 1824. |