ain destined to become the seat of liberty, the sciences, and the
arts. Rest not content with such limited success. Sheathe not the sword
whilst the brutal Turk, the enemy of the progress of civilization and
improvement of the human mind, shall occupy one foot of that classic
ground which once was yours. Let the young seamen of the islands emulate
the glory that awaits the military force. Let them hasten to join the
national ships, and, if denied your independence and rights, blockade
the Hellespont, thus carrying the war into the enemy's country. Then the
fate of the cruel Sultan, the destroyer of his subjects, the tyrant
taskmaster of a Christian people, shall be sealed by the hands of the
executioners who yet obey his bloody commands. Then shall prophecy be
fulfilled, and Moslem sway be overthrown by the corruptions itself has
engendered. Then shall the sacred banner of the Cross once more wave on
the dome of Saint Sophia. Then shall the Grecian people live secure
under the protection of just laws. Then shall noble cities rise from
their ruins, and the splendour of future times rival the days that are
past."

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE SIEGE OF ATHENS.--THE DEFENDERS OF THE ACROPOLIS.--THE EFFORTS OF
GORDON AND KARAISKAKES.--LORD COCHRANE'S PLAN FOR CUTTING OFF THE
TURKISH SUPPLIES.--THE ARGUMENTS BY WHICH HE WAS INDUCED TO PROCEED
INSTEAD TO THE PHALERUM.--HIS ARRIVAL THERE.--HIS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR
SERVING GREECE.--HIS FIRST MEETING WITH KARAISKAKES.--THE CONDITION OF
THE GREEK CAMP.--LORD COCHRANE'S POSITION.--HIS EFFORTS TO GIVE
IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO THE ACROPOLIS, AND THE OBSTACLES RAISED BY THE
GREEKS.--KARAISKAKES'S DELAYS, AND GENERAL CHURCH'S DIFFICULTIES.--THE
CONVENT OF SAINT SPIRIDION.--THE BATTLE OF PHALERUM.--THE CAPTURE OF
SAINT SPIRIDION.--THE MASSACRE OF THE TURKS, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.--LORD
COCHRANE'S RENEWED EFFORTS TO SAVE THE ACROPOLIS.--THE DEATH OF
KARAISKAKES.--THE MARCH TO THE ACROPOLIS.--ITS FAILURE THROUGH THE
PERVERSITY OF THE GREEKS.--THE BATTLE OF ATHENS.--THE FALL OF THE
ACROPOLIS.

[1827.]

After the conquest of Missolonghi, by which all Western Greece was
brought under Turkish dominion, Reshid Pasha lost no time in proceeding
to drive the Greeks from Athens, their chief stronghold in the east. The
siege of the town had been begun by Omar Pasha of Negropont, with a
small Ottoman force, on the 21st of June, 1826. Reshid arrived on the
11th of July, and, after much previous fight