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from being interred with the carcase, its prey. This kind of infatuation is not, however, without some utility. It ensures burial, the sick are tended, and the markets supplied.

The plague might be wholly averted from these countries, or at least prevented from spreading, if lazarettoes were erected, and salutary regulations enforced, as in some cities. in Europe. Smyrna would be affected as little perhaps as Marseilles, if its police were as well modelled, But this is the wisdom of a sensible and enlightened people. The Turk will not acknowledge the means as efficacious, or will reject them as unlawful. A bigotted predestinarian, he resolves sickness or health, pleasure or pain, with all, even the most trifling incidents of life, into the mighty power and uncontrolable will of the Supreme Being. He views the prudent Frank with insolent disdain, and reproaches him with timidity or irreligion. He triumphs in superior courage and confidence, going out or coming in during the malady with a calm indifference, as at other times; like the brute beast, unconscious of the road, which leads to its security or destruction.

CHAP. LXXXIV.

Duration of the plague-It appears at Sedicui-Its cessation -We return to Smyrna-Prepare to leave Asia.

It is an established opinion among the Greeks, that soon after St. John's day O. S. the fury of the plague decreases, and that the term of its duration does not extend beyond the

10th or 15th of August. About that time the Frank merchants commonly unlock their gates, drooping trade revives, and a free intercourse is restored. We looked forward, as may be imagined, to that period, with the most earnest desire and impatience.

The villages round Smyrna suffered sooner or later with the city; nor was Sedicui wholly exempted. A Greek, eager to secure the trifling effects of a deceased brother, went to the town, returned and sickened; was carried back and presently expired. A Frenchman, valet to Count de Hochpied, who lived opposite to us, a wall separating our gardens, complained of indisposition in the beginning of July. A swelling appeared, and a poultice applied to it was attended with sharp pain, and raised a fiery bladder. Suspicion was then exchanged for unwelcome certainty. He was removed to Smyrna, and recovered. This family was well regulated: and the man, who had a good character for his care and circumspection, could not account for his contracting the malady, unless it were communicated by a sheathed knife, which in following his master, he had picked up, and instantly on recollection thrown down again. These accidents disturbed our quiet, removed all confidence in our retreat, and made us redouble our vigilance and caution. A fire also happened, which destroyed a house by our garden.

We were happy, when the month of August arrived, in finding the popular remark on the continuance of the plague verified. The city was said to be free from that disease, but a contagious and mortal fever raged, principally among the Greeks. This was attributed to their diet, which in the summer season consists almost wholly of fruits. We engaged a

number of horses and mules to carry us and our baggage once more to Smyrna; and the 8th of August was fixed for our departure from Sedicui, where we had resided from the 11th of May,

It was striking, as we passed the Turkish cemeteries, on our way into Smyrna, to contemplate the many recent graves of different sizes, exhibiting the uncertain tenure of a frail body at every stage of life; and furnishing melancholy evidence that death had been glutted with as little distinction of age as of condition. Farther on were the half-burned ruins of houses, which had lately menaced a general conflagration. In the Frank street, which had been crowded in the winter; we now met a few persons wearing a pensive look; and the comparative solitude of that quarter added force to the dismal ideas, which intruded on us. All had been involved in public misery and in private distress, but some where wonderfully spared. We were heartily greeted by the fat janizary at the gate. The consul welcomed us again, and soon after we had the satisfaction of seeing our other friends, and Mr. Lee.

It was natural to wish for a speedy removal from a country, in which we had been exposed to so many dangers. We resolved to proceed immediately to Athens. We found on enquiry that we could not draw on Leghorn for money from thence; and that to obviate much future difficulty and solicitude, we must carry specie with us. Mr. Lee accepted our bills on London for £800. at the usual discount. The animosities, which had subsisted between the governors in the district of Cuthaya, and the basha of Gulzel-hissar, had now produced hostilities; and on the north-side of the gulf of

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Smyrna, some great men were seizing cannon, horses, and arms, and preparing to decide their disputes by battle. These troubles would have prevented our making any farther excursions from Smyrna. We hired a boat to sail in ten days; and had reason to rejoice that our long stay on this continent was so near a conclusion.

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