LORD  BYRON  and  his  TIMES
Byron
Documents Biography Criticism
Journal of a Visit to Greece
Introduction
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
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‣ Introduction
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Appendix
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A

PICTURE OF GREECE

IN 1825;

AS EXHIBITED IN THE

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

OF

JAMES EMERSON, ESQ., COUNT PECCHIO,

AND

W. H. HUMPHREYS, ESQ.

COMPRISING

A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF

THE EVENTS OF THE LATE CAMPAIGN,

AND SKETCHES OF THE PRINCIPAL

MILITARY, NAVAL, AND POLITICAL CHIEFS.


IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.





LONDON:
HENRY COLBORN, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1826.
JOURNAL

OF A

VISIT TO GREECE,

BY

W. H. HUMPHREYS.

INTRODUCTION.

However productive of great events the Greek Revolution may eventually prove, and however attractive in itself, as regarding the regeneration of this renowned people, it has hitherto been conducted by them with such singular want of spirit and activity, that its progress is calculated to damp all enthusiasm in those who have visited, and long remained spectators of, the scene of action; for no one who has ever felt interested in their affairs, can watch their tardy movements, their intrigues and dissensions, without vexation and disappointment; or view their conduct without indignation. This, is the natural feeling of a foreigner, enjoying the advantages of the enlightened civilization of the present day. It ought, however, to be remembered, that the Greeks have not been advancing in equal steps with us, but on the contrary have retrograded to a state of semi-bar-
200 INTRODUCTION.  
barism, aggravated by a long and protracted slavery. This must be their apology; for I do not see any advantages that can accrue to the Greeks from misrepresentations in their favour: and with that apology, as a veil over their misdeeds, remembering what they once were, and anticipating what they may yet become, they themselves can never fail to excite sympathy, nor their cause cease to inspire interest in enlightened and unprejudiced minds. I shall therefore attempt to sketch faithfully, at least, what I have chiefly witnessed. Several Works have appeared on Greece as far as the commencement of the campaign of 1824, from far abler pens than that of a young soldier, which renders a detailed description of the country, and events up to that period superfluous.

W. H. H.
August 30th, 1825.