this bright vision, which has become a monomania. Secret societies have been formed for the purpose of organising insurrections on their northern frontier; the king has been openly invited to lead them to the conquest of the Turkish provinces, by pamphlets and incendiary publications; and the consciousness of the unsatisfactory state of their internal affairs is drowned in the wildest and most engrossing aspirations for more extended dominions.

They contend that their boundary line towards the north is not a good one; and in this they are not so much mistaken.

As soon as the fact of the alienation of the kingdom of Greece from the Turkish empire was established, the question which occupied the attention of those interested in the two states, was that of the boundary line between them. The Greeks entertained unlimited hopes; they considered themselves as the sudden revivers of the ancient Byzantine empire; and they talked of a frontier line, not between Greece and Turkey, but between the former and the provinces to the north of the latter. Even one of their late ministers (Coletti), when, on one occasion, he was called upon by the council for his opinion on the subject of choosing a fitting position for the capital of the new kingdom of Greece, gravely answered, "Constantinople." Expectations were frantic; and various lines of separation were proposed, according as their projectors were more or less reasonable.

Many of those who had risked their lives and fortunes for the freedom of Greece being natives of Epirus, Thessaly, and Macedonia, these provinces were regarded as certain to be comprised within the new kingdom; and accordingly the first limit talked of included the whole of Mount Olympus, and followed the course of the River Haliacmon, up to the Pindus range of mountains. It crossed the summit, called Smolika, near the village of Samarina, and thence descending to the Ionian Sea, on the north of the Island of Corfu, terminated at Cape Anchysmus. The points of access to Greece would thus have been the strong passes of the vales of Tempe, Petra, Servia, and those of the ranges of Olympus and Pindus. This boundary possessed many defensive advantages, and comprehended all the physical elements required to form a good natural frontier.

Another plan included only Thessaly, a supposed line being drawn from the vale of Tempe along the ridges of mounts Olympus, Kraliehiovo, and Pindus, and descending to the Amphilochian defile, which the modern Greeks call the Macrynoros, or long hill, thus excluding the whole of Epirus; but the vision of possessing even Thessaly was soon dissipated, and the river Sperchius was then talked of as a frontier, a line being continued from its source to the Ambracic Gulf. The strength of this latter boundary consisted in the Amphilochian pass and that of Thermopyla being at its two extremities, with the mounts Callidromus and Oeta to fill up its length. Thermopyla is not, however, so strong a position now as it was in the days of Leonidas, because the river has deposited so much earth in successive ages as to enable an army to turn it to the eastward. But the other defile is naturally defensible to an eminent degree; and according to General Gordon, the historian of the Greek Revolution, 64 a handful of men might there stop an army." There was yet another idea which reduced the free territory in Continental Greece to Attica and Megaris, making Mount Parnes and Citheron bound it, from the Channel of Euboea to the Isthmus of

Corinth; while a still more confined view of the extent of the kingdom restricted it to the Morea, with the Isthmus as the sole land frontier.

Such were the different boundary-lines proposed for Greece, varying as to the provinces included, but each and all of them combining the military defences of the country. They were much and anxiously canvassed by the Greeks at the time, and were well understood, for practical experience had enabled them to appreciate their respective merits as naturally strong lines, and their exclusive fitness for the purpose. What, then, must have been their astonishment, when they learnt that none of these had been adopted; and that a new frontier was traced, altogether without defences on one side, and on the other depriving a mountainous district of the plains attached to it, on the produce of which its population depended for their sustenance! The country of Lamia was annexed, without the range of hills which protect it on the north; and instead of the Amphilochian pass which defends Acarrania, a weak boundary separated the plain from the kingdom of Greece.

Macedonia, Epirus, and even Thessaly, were thus peremptorily excluded from the free state: the independence, for the acquisition of which they had laboured with so much patience and perseverance, was denied them; and, moreover, they were tantalised by seeing it granted to a portion of their comrades in the seven years' struggle. Some places, indeed, which now obtained their enfranchisement from the Turks had tamely submitted to them, and had laid down their arms as soon as they were called upon to do so. One instance of this exists close to Athens, in the case of the large village of Meridi, which, for the dastardly conduct of its inhabitants, was branded with the name of “the traitor village." Servitude became again the lot of the Turkish provinces; and it may be well believed that the yoke would not be the less galling on account of their previous refractory patriotism.

By this unlooked-for decision the kingdom was confined to less than one-half of its expected size, and the boundary appointed to it was so weak as to leave it utterly helpless in any occurrence of critical circumstances which might hereafter arise: while an expensive frontier-guard was entailed upon it; for, comparatively without resources, and deprived as they thus were of the plains of Thessaly and Macedonia, the free Greeks felt the difficulty of raising recruits for the defence of their frontier, without the warlike population of Epirus.

The first impression of all parties to account for so preposterous a decision was, that incorrect maps and utter ignorance of the localities must have occasioned the mistake; but time and events have now shown that, whether intended or not, the consequence of so cramping the territory of free Greece is most fortunate for the other provinces. The Macedonians, Thessalians, and Epirotes, who then complained of their homes having been left under Turkish sway after they had fought and bled to liberate Greece, and who thus supposed that their efforts had only benefited others, who now disclaim their fraternity, may still rejoice that they are not implicated in the disappointment felt on the subject of the Greek kingdom. They have reason to congratulate themselves on the fact of their future career not being identified with that of the free Greeks; and they may now hope that their native provinces will enjoy similar or even greater advantages, and may profit more by them.

There is little doubt, in the event of any such favourable change in the provinces of European Turkey, that emigration from Greece would

be instantaneous, numerous, and probably comprising most of the political and literary talent, military renown, and commercial enterprise of the kingdom. All those who have come to Greece from the Turkish provinces and islands would certainly not hesitate to abandon so ungenial a stepmother, were their fatherland to become more free than it now is, or even were another portion of Greece of which they are not natives established on a more equitable footing. On investigation, it will be found that very few names which have become in any way distinguished belong to natives of the free kingdom, excepting always the gallant Hydriotes-and they are a colony of Albanians from Epirus.

THE MEDITERRANEAN STAIRS.

BY MRS. CHARLTON.

VISITORS to Gibraltar should never leave this interesting spot without ascending the stupendous rock, or they will lose the most magnificent view to be found in Europe. Still this feat can only be accomplished by good pedestrians, for there is no carriage-road, and only a part of the journey can be achieved on horseback. The celebrated rock is 1700 feet high, and the narrow pathway leading to the summit rough and stony. Does not this present an image of the career of ambition? for all who seek to rise must encounter fatigue and toil,-none can win eminence without labour: "excellence is placed beyond the reach of indolence."

The first striking point, after ascending some distance, is the burialground of the Jews; and in observing the Hebrew inscriptions on the tombstones in that lonely cemetery, I felt the resting-place of the sons of Israel was in singular accordance with their destiny and character. No pretty rural churchyard here receives their remains, for the blessed cross therein planted as a memorial of the immortal hopes of those who sleep in peace, is, even to this day, a mockery and a stumbling-block to the unhappy Jews; but on a flat portion of the desolate rock they are buried: and surely that impregnable rock is not more hard, obdurate, and unyielding, than this stiff-necked generation.

From this point the ascent is nearly perpendicular, and pedestrians begin to feel that the way is long. But it is no use complaining when they are still so far away from the Mediterrannean Stairs; and each side of the stony road is rendered attractive by the great number of wild flowers, often blooming unseen in this lofty region, presenting every variety of hue. The great charm consists in the beauty of the prospect, which no words can convey (for even a daguerreotype picture would give no adequate impression of its peculiar attractions), besides the various ideas excited by visiting the old places of the Old World. Here history appears suddenly verified-its long buried dead, or rather dim spectres, appear with all the freshness of actual life.

At length we arrived at one part of the rock where was inscribed in large letters," Mediterranean Road;" and this made us imagine we were near the celebrated stairs, but those more experienced asserted we were only Sept.-VOL. LXXXVII. NO. CCCXLV.

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approaching the locality. A short portion of our journey was now over; we entered a level path covered with turf, at the end of which we found a long gallery excavated from the solid rock, and a curious triumph of engineering. On emerging from it, the first objects that met our view were two immense cannons, and the words engraved "Mediterranean Battery." Even this solitary and isolated spot, so elevated that it would seem only calculated for an eagle's eyrie, is darkened by the engines of destruction, and proves how the malignant passions of mankind penetrate to the innermost shrines of nature, intended by the great Creator as abodes of peace.

No doubt, from Gibraltar being the most important garrison in the world, it is quite fitting to have this Mediterranean battery; and we only deplored its necessity, while reposing on a pretty seat excavated from the rock, and musing on all around. But our reflections were soon disturbed by the necessity of proceeding upwards, and then we passed through another long gallery, which is a cool retreat from the burning rays of the southern sun. On the present occasion, however, this luminary was only shining with the mild lustre of a day in March; and the balmy air, mingled with the ocean breeze, was at once mild and invigorating. The ascent became steeper and steeper every moment; it seemed we should never attain our object; when suddenly one of the party exclaimed, "Here are the Mediterranean Stairs!"

I looked up and saw the famous steps, 280 in number—on the average a foot each, but many are two feet high; some carved out of the rock, and all so well placed that they are a triumph of ingenuity. On reaching the summit a glorious panorama blessed my sight, and the deep blue Mediterranean rolled before me in all its beauty. What charm could be equal to the first glance over the glad waters of that celebrated sea, unrivalled for its loveliness and historical associations! How varied were the recollections that rushed upon my mind of the mighty past, when this famous sea bore triumphantly along the galleys of the Old World! In various ages the coast of the Mediterranean has been rendered subservient to the advance of European civilisation. The early refinement of Egypt gave to Greece the first rudiments of arts and institutions ; the military spirit of Carthage, combined as it was with maritime enterprise, disciplined to foreign conquest the growing empire of Rome; the Christian Church, early established in the same part of the continent, sustained an important part in the formation of that of Western Europe; and the Mohammedan states, afterwards established on this coast, constituted a chain of communication by which, in a later period, the empire of the Arabians acted upon the modern system of the West. This instrumentality of the African coast appears, however, to have been guarded by the interposition of extensive deserts between it and the interior countries; the progress of civilisation having been in this manner effectually diverted from wasting itself upon an African population, and directed towards the region in which it might be beneficially received.

The Mediterranean will ever conjure recollections respecting the lands ‣ of chivalry, romance, and history; for it is connected with those magical and memorable shores prized by every classical scholar. Nor will the immediate impression ever disappoint the remote expectation; for no inhabitant of our northern isle, accustomed to cloudy skies and the rough waves of the German ocean, can imagine the bright scene displayed by the

"blue crystal of the seas" in the Mediterranean. This celebrated region of the globe must likewise recal to the English spectator thoughts of the naval supremacy of Great Britain, and the triumphs that have rendered our national flag glorious throughout the world. Who could forget Nelson being here in 1793?-which period is remarkable as the commencement of those twelve last years in his life throughout which he maintained a career of victory almost unparalleled in history. It was then he first was given the command of a ship, and appointed to the Agamemnon, after long seeking in vain the honourable employment so congenial to his stirring and active character. With a mortified and dejected spirit, he looked forward to a continuance of inactivity and neglect, unable to foresee the change a few short years would create in his destiny. Those who pine for a wider field of action should cease to despond, when they reflect that Nelson was long overwhelmed with melancholy in consequence of his humble fortunes and universal neglect; for, as the Wise Man said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

In the year 1793, when the eventful contest commenced between the commercial power of Great Britain, and the military strength of France, Nelson found the tide in his affairs had come; which he took at the flood, and truly, in his case, it led to fortune. From his youth upwards, his zealous character, both as an officer and a man, had been formed in the old Anti-gallican school; and that at a time when the specious revolutionary principles of France had taught many of his countrymen to consider as prejudices what their ancestors had long cherished as the most salutary truths. The loyalty and patriotism of Nelson, therefore, uniformly displayed a marked abhorrence and detestation of the French character. Like Hannibal, he seemed to have taken an oath of eternal hostility against France on the altars of his country. Against that nation, whether as a republican, consular, or imperial power, we find his unceasing resistance, through a series of perilous and fatiguing services, with a shattered and emaciated frame, covered with honourable wounds, in the struggle to support the honour of his king and the independence of his country.

Nelson's letters from the Mediterranean, when he first took the command of the Agamemnon, and visited Gibraltar, are highly interesting. He found the Spaniards as bad sailors in those days as they are at the present time, and thus describes them :

"Soon after leaving the Rock we saw a fleet, and after forming our line, perceived them to be the Spanish fleet-twenty-four sail of the line. The Dons did not, after several hours' trial, form anything which could be called a line of battle ahead. However, after answering our private signals, the Spanish admiral sent down two frigates, acquainting him, that as their fleet was very sickly, they were going into Carthagena. captain added, "It was no wonder, for they had been sixty days at sea.' This speech appeared to us ridiculous, for we attribute our being so healthy to the circumstance of being a longer time at sea.

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If the Mediterranean was not beautiful, yet there would be a spell to attract, from its name in history, and the long array of mighty shadows it conjures before the mind. But no portion of the vast waters in the universe can present greater attractions to the sight, more especially the view beheld from the summit of Gibraltar. The sea broke in majestic