has already occurred, we dare not limit- the horses, whence a miserable and often are all for us; but in serious humility we unsafe staircase leads to the upper inhabask ourselves if the increase of happiness ited apartments. The shops are princiand virtue is proportionate to the increase pally for the sale of wine, provisions, and of knowledge-whether as children of the arms. nineteenth century, heirs to its wealth and power, we use our inheritance to the best advantage. NAUPLIA. HE town of Nauplia, or Napoli di Romania, is situated along the foot of an abrupt rocky promontory of considerable elevation, which projects into the sea at the head of the gulf bearing the same name. It occupies the whole length of the narrow strip of low land between the cliffs and the shore, so that further enlargement is impracticable. It is well fortified, and enclosed by walls on which the "winged lion" is still visible, in proof of their Venetian construction, and though miserably bad, is, upon the whole, one of the best built towns in the Morea, of which it is justly considered to be the maritime key. It is admirably situated, both in a military and commercial point of view; but the place is very unhealthy, partly owing to the neighboring marshes in the plains of Argos, and partly owing to the total want of cleanliness. Fevers are very prevalent, and the town has often been ravaged by plague. In 1824 it was visited with a dreadful epidemic, which carried off about one third of the population. The interior, with the exception of one square, consists of very narrow, filthy streets, from which the breeze is always excluded by the upper stories of the houses projecting one above the other till they almost meet. The larger houses generally have been built by the Venetians, and are now made subservient to public purposes; but the greater part are Turkish, though very different from the light well-built houses of Constantinople. In these the lower part is invariably appropriated as a stable for 8 At present Napoli is the seat of government and residence of King Otho, and may therefore be considered the capital of Greece; but although it must ever be a place of great importance as a military and commercial post, it is by no means calculated to become the metropolis of the kingdom, from its unhealthiness and very circumscribed extent. The population may amount to 5,000 or 6,000, but fluctuates greatly; it is, however, one of the most thickly-peopled cities in the world, averaging three or four inmates to each room. Since the arrival of King Otho, Nauplia has undergone considerable improvement; and, as security of property becomes more certain, will doubtless make rapid advances, a great number of emigrants from Europe having already established themselves in trade here. The market of Napoli is well supplied with fruit and vegetables in great variety and abundance; but butcher's meat is indifferent. The adjacent country is rich and fertile; even the wildest and most uncultivated parts are covered with beds of thyme, fennel, and mint, which afford inexhaustible materials for honey; but this indulgence must be gratified with caution, as the honey is medicinal in its properties. The port is exceedingly good and eligible for shipping, being perfectly safe and easy of access. From the bay, the view is at once pleasing, picturesque, and exciting; the lofty, majestic rock, surmounted by the citadel; the busy town and port; the plain and town of Argos, with its Acropolis, backed by a range of lofty mountains, and the snowy summits of Taygetus to the west; all heightened by the associations of former times-contribute to render the surrounding scenery highly interesting. But as soon as the stranger puts his foot on shore, the enchantment ceases and his enthusiasm vanishes; all feelings of pleasure give way to nausea and disgust. Prior to the revolution, Napoli was the dépôt for all the produce of Greece; and 1 although this exclusive trade has latterly been shared by other ports, there is still an extensive commerce carried on in wine, oil, corn, wax, honey, sponges, and cotton. The transport of these articles is principally limited to kaiks, or open boats of fifteen or thirty tons burden. Napoli offers no facility for ship-building; but, as some of the islands engage largely in this occupation, it may be expected that, as the mercantile navy increases, commerce will also emerge from the narrow bounds to which it has hitherto been confined. Already, indeed, it has begun to experience the encouraging effects of freedom, order, and peace. The sea-breeze blows furiously up the gulf of Nauplia during the day, and it is the custom, therefore, for vessels to leave the anchorage in the evening, when they catch the land-breeze, which blows during the night, and generally carries them out of the gulf before morning. The strength of Napoli is the citadel, which is called the Palamedi, over whose turreted walls a few cypresses raise their sombre heads; it stands on the easternmost and highest elevation of the promontory, and completely overhangs and commands the town. To all appearance it is impregnable, and from its situation and aspect has been termed the "Gibraltar of Greece," an appellation which, when in a better state of defence, it may deserve. It is 720 feet above the sea, and has only one assailable point, where a narrow isthmus connects it with the main land-and this is overlooked by a rocky precipice: the ascent is by flights of steps cut in the rock. Beneath the Palamedi, the land continues at the elevation of about 300 feet to the extreme point of the promontory, and on this are various forts, &c. The present fortifications are chiefly Venetian, repaired at various times by the Turks and Greeks; but the ruins of ancient walls of Cyclopean masonry, on which those of the Palamedi are based, may still be seen. Many pieces of Venetian ordnance remain on the walls to this day. The Palamedi, in which some excellent barracks have lately been built, is capable of containing a large garrison. Besides these points, and the walls which enclose the town and are defended by bas tions, there is a small rocky islet in the harbor on which stands the castle of St. Theodore, which, though commanded by the upper forts, would be very formidable to an assailing squadron of ships. The Greeks, in the siege of Napoli, obtained possession of this post very early, and in spite of its disadvantageous position, contrived to annoy, not only the town, but the Turkish garrison in the upper forts; it is at present used as a state-prison. The town of Napoli is supplied with water by a stream issuing from the celebrated fountain of Canathus. It passes by an aqueduct under the cliffs of the Palamedi, and admits of being easily cut off by the besiegers, as it was by the Greeks. The ancient Nauplia is said to have been built by Nauplius, the son of Neptune, before the Trojan war. Nauplia was subsequently the chief naval arsenal of the Argives. It was desolate in the time of Pausanias, who saw only the ru ins of the walls and of a temple of Neptune remaining. The Venetians obtained possession of it in 1460. In 1495 it surrendered to Bajazet, but was again taken by the Venetians, under Morozini, in August, 1586, after a month's siege, and became the headquarters of that nation in the Morea. In 1714 it was treacherously given up to Ali Coumourgi, and was the seat of Turkish government and residence of the pacha of the Morea till Tripolizza was selected as being more central, when it became subject to the bey of Argos. The crescent remained uninterruptedly flying on this fortress till the 12th of December, 1822, when it surrendered to the Greeks, after a long and tedious blockade, the Turkish garrison having been reduced to such a state of starvation as to feed on the corpses of their companions. In 1825, Ibrahim Pacha made a fruitless attempt to surprise the place; and it has been the stronghold of the Greeks in their struggle for liberty. In April, 1826, the commission of government held their sittings here, but were obliged to retire to Ægina on account of civil dissensions, and two of the revolted chiefs being in possession of the Palamedi. During the presidency of Capo d'Istrias, who always resided (and was assassinated) in the town, it again became the seat of government; and on the 31st of January, 1833, the prince of Bavaria arrived here as first king of restored Greece. HUMOROUS PEOPLE. and the lively fancies of the imagination, ought solely to supply the fun of the friendly circle. Natural imperfections and blemishes ought never to be selected as marks for ridicule to shoot its shafts at. It is well to "laugh at all things" that may be properly laughed at; but it is still more commendable to resist all temptations to raise a laugh by personal allusions which ERSONS who are in- hurt the feelings of some one individual nocently good humored in the company. When this virtuous forare very useful in this bearance is strictly observed, a humorist's world, by diffusing a society becomes an enjoyment to all, for generous cheerfulness each feels sure that there is no danger of among all who ap- the flying shaft penetrating the sanctuary proach them. Habit- of friendly secresy, or going beyond the ual vivacity has the bounds of good breeding. By sporting recommendation of not with another's weaknesses, infirmities, and only its own pleasurable feelings, but it personal singularities, we may certainly has a sanitary benefit; for it keeps the divert the company for a moment, and blood in proper circulation, quickens the gratify our own selfish vanity, which is understanding, and even helps digestion. ambitious to show superiority; but, as Indeed it conduces to long life; while, Chesterfield justly observes, this is a preton the other hand, the habit of yielding ty sure way to make enemies for ever, for to and fostering sadness of heart, embit-"even those who laugh, will, upon reflecters and shortens the days of the young. tion, fear and despise us: it is ill-natured, It is well said by Solomon, that "a merry and a good heart desires rather to conceal heart doeth good like a medicine; but a than expose other people's weaknesses or broken spirit drieth the bones." In later misfortunes. If we have wit, we should times, Bolingbroke gave it as his experi- use it to please, and not to hurt: we may ence that, "in this farce of life, wise men shine, like the sun in the temperate zone, pass their time in mirth, while fools only without scorching." Conversation may are serious," an observation that recalls to impart pleasantry and cheerfulness, withmemory the lines of the poetout having even the slightest recourse to personality, an indulgence in which is an infallible sign of an uneducated and unamiable disposition. Barrow, in his "Sermon against Foolish Jesting," remarks, that "The weaknesses of men, of what kind soever (natural or moral, in quality or in act), considering whence they spring, and how much we are always subject to them, do need excuse, and in fairness call for compassion, not for mirth, to be drawn from them; they, in respect to common humanity, should rather be studiously connived at and concealed, or mildly excused, than wilfully laid open and wantonly descanted on; they are rather to be secretly deplored than to be openly derided." "Sportsmen find woodcocks by their eyes, As fools are known by looking wise." If this be so, it is surely best to be cheerful, and, in the words of Byron, "To laugh at all things, for we wish to know, What, after all, are all things but a show?" Sheridan Knowles, in his play of "Wil- Who would not have an eye Humorists would be much more in favor, could they only be taught what are and what are not the proper times and subjects for the exercise of their jocularity. Above all things, they ought to refrain from playing off their jests upon the reputations and manners of their friends. The little incidents of the passing hour, The truly pleasant and well-behaved humorist will scorn to convert his wit into a sparring weapon or an offensive missile; but will ever be mindful of the observation of St. James, "If any man offend not in THE MIND BEYOND THE GRAVE. word, he is a perfect man." Ill-natured wits might take an improving lesson from an anecdote or two which we may here relate: In the midst of a gay party at Versailles, Louis XIV. commenced a facetious story, but concluded it abruptly and insipidly. Presently, one of the company having left the room, the king said, "I am sure you must have observed how very uninteresting my anecdote was. After I had commenced, I recollected that it reflected rather severely on the immediate ancestor of the prince of Armagnac, who has just quitted us; and on this, as on every other occasion, I think it far better to spoil a good story than distress the feelings of a worthy man." The celebrated mimic, Griffen, was asked to imitate the person, manner, and singularly awkward delivery of Dr. Woodward, the geologist and physician, in the character of Dr. Fossil, in a farce then preparing under the title of "Three Hours after Marriage." The mimic dressed himself up as a countryman, and went to the doctor to ask his advice about a long series of diseases with which he pretended his poor wife was afflicted. All this he did to justify and prolong the interview, that he might have sufficient time to study the doctor's manner. This accomplished, he offered him the fee of a guinea, which the doctor declined, saying, "Keep your money, poor man! keep your money! you have need of all your cash and all your patience too, with such a load of diseases at home." The actor, on his return to the farce-writer, related this conversation, and concluded by declaring that he would sooner die than prostitute his talents by making a public laughing-stock of Dr. Woodward, who, receiving him as a poor man, had shown tender humanity and compassionate sympathy at the narrative of his assumed calamities. As the more a person manifests uneasiness at the direct attacks of a heartless humorist the better sport he proves to him, it is wisest to receive his sallies with apparent indifference, however acutely one may feel his cruel jokes. He who refuses to do justice to the defenceless, will often be found making unreasonable concessions to the powerful. 127 THE MIND BEYOND THE GRAVE. WE E can not but feel that we are beings of a twofold nature-that our journey to the tomb is short, and the existence beyond it immortal. Is there any attainment that we may reserve when we lay down the body? We know that of the gold which perishes we may take none with us when dust returneth to dust. Of the treasures which the mind accumulates, may we carry aught with us to "that bourne whence no traveller returns"? We may have been delighted with the studies of nature, and penetrated into those caverns where she perfects her chymistry in secret. Composing and decomposing, changing matter into nameless forms, pursuing the subtlest essences through the air, and resolving even that into its original elements, what will be the gain when we pass from material to immaterial, and this great museum and laboratory, the time-worn earth, shall dissolve in its own central fires? We may become adepts in the physiology of man, scanning the mechanism of the eye, till light itself unfolds its invisible laws, of the ear, till its most hidden reticulations confessed their mysterious agency with sound, of the heart, till that citadel of life revealed its hermit policy, but will these researches be available in a state of being which "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived"? Will he who fathoms the waters, and computes its pressure and power have need of this skill where there is no sea? Wil' the mathematician exercise the lore by which he measures the heavens, of the astronomer, the science which discovered the stars, when called to go beyond that light? Those who have penetrated most deeply into the intellectual structure of man, lifted the curtain from the birth-place of thought, traced the springs of attention to their fountain, and thrown the veiled shrinking motive into the crucible, perceive the object of their study taking a new form, enter into a disembodied and unknown state of existence, and receiving powers adapted to its laws and modes of intercourse. |