Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/168

140 only signs here of human activity are the wind- mills, which revolve eternally before my windows. They stand in a long row by the sea-shore, and the effect of a sunset seen through their gaunt and skeleton-like arms is most picturesque.

Ever since my arrival I have been engaged in a variety of consular affairs, which, though often wearisome in detail, are not without interest, because the minute study of such local matters gives an insight into the state of society in this part of the Archipelago.

The other day I witnessed a singular scene, very Corsican in character. A native of the island of Cassos had been condemned to death for a murder committed two years ago in Alexandria. The trial took place here; there was good reason for believing that the real murderer had been let off and the wrong one convicted; so the case was reported to Constantinople, and there were hopes of a reprieve through the intervention of Colonel Rose with the Porte. While the case was ending, the eldest son of the Greek who had been assassinated, thirsting for vengeance, went up to Constantinople and obtained a firman ordering the immediate execution of the criminal. He arrived with the fatal warrant and presented it to the Caimakam, who is now acting here as Governor in the absence of the Pasha of Rhodes.

The hopes which we had entertained were gone; but in concert with the Greek and Russian Yice-Consuls, I tried to persuade the Caimakam into a few days' delay. Now the Caimakam was