O PRINCE YPSILANTI. N leaving the baths of Carlsbad, in Bohemia, which are constantly thronged by visitors from all parts of Europe in quest of pleasure or health, I stopped for a short time at Egra and at Wunsiedel. I then proceeded to Alexandrebad, in the circle of the Upper Maine, in Bavaria, a place celebrated for its picturesque situation, and the recollections which the King and Queen of Prussia left behind them, when they visited the town during the first year of their marriage. I entered Alexandrebad one fine spring evening, and without thinking about the mineral spring, which owes its reputation to the Margrave Alexander, or the castle, in which nothing either useful or agreeable has been forgotten, I procured a guide, and repaired immediately to the mountain of Louisaburg, which was the object of my journey, and I soon had an opportunity of admiring one of the most surprising and picturesque scenes which, perhaps, the face of nature presents. There is no reason for supposing that Louisaburg has, at any former period, been convulsed by volcanic eruptions, and the most plausible conjecture respecting these huge masses of rock, which seem to be rolling down in one uniform direction, is that they have been produced by those torrents which descended from the heavens at the general flood, recorded in the traditions of all nations. These masses of rock having become consolidated by time, trees and shrubs have taken root in their interstices. Mosses of various species, and creeping and parasite plants, fill up the clefts of the rock, and line these natural grottos. This wild vegetation produces the most beautiful effects, and creates changes which rise with magical rapidity before the eye of the observer at every step he advances. Pursuing my ascent up the moun28 ATHENEUM, VOL. 9, 2d series. tain, beside a range of white birch trees elegantly cut, I reached a wall of rock, which appeared to be an insurmountable barrier to further advancement, for it bore the inscription nec plus ultra, dated 1794. It was not till the year 1805, that there was discovered beneath this huge block of granite, the entrance to a cavern which served the Knights of Luxburg to mark their place of concealment. Above the ruins of this proud tower, now rises a modest hermitage, roofed with thatch and surmounted by an expiatory cross. On this spot, which was once the scene of crime and boisterous mirth, nothing is now heard but those expressions of admiration and pleasure excited by the interesting scenes which crowd upon the eye of the spectator. The remains of the ancient walls of the castle are overspread with vegetation. The wild strawberry presents its scarlet fruit to the thirsty traveller, while a variety of sweet-smelling herbs and plants diffuse their fragrance over those banks of turf, which perhaps were once bedewed with the tears of misfortune. On the left a path, edged with shrubs, leads, by the ascent of a few steps, to a garden which is so closely surrounded on every side with masses of granite, that neither its entrance nor its outlet is perceptible : the elder tree with its brilliant berries, which forms so picturesque an object in other parts of the mountains, flourishes here in remarkable luxuriance; while the lofty pine mingles its foliage with that of the service-tree and the birch. From between the fissures of the natural walls surrounding the garden, the light filaments of a few creeping plants here and there shoot out and cling to the granite. Banks planted with birch trees and bordered with exotics with which the mosses of these mountains seem fondly to commingle, afford an agreea, ble repose to the eye as well as to the mind, which in these charming solitudes seems to be concentrated within itself. This unlooked-for paradise, situated in a region so wild and so difficult of access, calls to mind those tales of enchantment which amused our childhood. There wants only a genius, and the genius of retirement and recollection is here. On quitting the garden, the mind, expanded by the contemplation of so many beautiful objects, communicates additional energy to the body, and the summit of Louisaburg is speedily reached. It is surmounted by a large cross, which sheds a cheering influence over the desolate region below, like religion consoling the heart of the afflicted. The cross, being seen from a distance, serves as a guide in the rocky wilderness, and on its lofty site forms an intervening link between the sufferings of earth and the hopes of futurity. A man wrapped in a cloak was sitting at the foot of the cross, holding in his hand some papers, on which he seemed to have been writing, but which he laid aside at my approach. At the sound of my footsteps he turned his head towards me, and I recognised Prince Alexander Ypsilanti, the friend of my youth, whom I had not seen since the Congress of Vienna. He rose from his seat and eagerly advanced to meet me. "Dear Ypsilanti," said I, embracing him, "by what chance do I find you here? The fatigue of my pilgrimage is compensated by this unexpected meeting! How happens it that you are in Bavaria, when I thought you were still at St. Petersburgh ?" "I have been induced," replied the Prince, "from the general state of my health, but more particularly on account of my wounds, to undertake a journey to Carlsbad; besides, I expected to meet here some friends, whom I wish particularly to see. However, as they have not yet arrived, I have 66 taken advantage of their absence, and made a visit to Louisaburg, which had been justly described to me by the King of Prussia, as one of the most picturesque places in Europe." "And what do you intend to do on quitting Carlsbad?" I inquired. "I know not,” replied he, my plans are not yet determined upon. "Prince Ypsilanti," I said, "I had reason to expect that you would have reposed greater confidence in me. It is but a few days since I left the Princess Helena S****. She was acquainted with all your views, and knowing the friendship which has existed between us for so many years, she did not hesitate to disclose them to me; and your sudden departure from St. Petersburgh was caused, no doubt, by the approach of the period fixed for their execution."-" Pardon my reserve," he said, "for so many and such high interests are connected with my own, that I should not be justified in disclosing secrets which were not entirely personal. But what did the Princess tell you?” "That your object is to deliver your country from the yoke which oppresses it, and to restore Greece in the rank of nations. This is a noble part, a sublime enterprise; but have you well considered the means of putting your plan into execution, and securing its success? Do you think Grecce sufficiently prepared for the happy regeneration?" "I entertain doubts on that point," said Ypsilanti, earnestly clasping my hand. dream of my youth," added he, "on the forebodings of which we used to dwell so fondly at St. Petersburgh, when Dolgorosski Wielhorski,* you, and I, formed schemes for the future independence of Greece, weighing every possible chance of the consummation of our hopes—that dream, I say, will shortly be realized. Every thing combines to favour the execution of the grand design. I have faithful friends, who, like myself, are DO "The * Michael Wielhorski is the son of the Count of the same name, to whom Rousseau dedicated his "Considerations Politiques, sur le Gouvernement de Polagne." ready to devote their lives and fortunes to the furtherance of the object; and I may venture to say, that I can count upon the assistance of a powerful Sovereign, in addition to the support naturally to be expected from the Greeks. From all the provinces of that oppressed country, the voice of Liberty is heard; the hands of her people, though laden with chains, are raised towards us. We can no longer turn a deaf ear to this summons, in a cause worthy the support of man, and the protection of heaven; and, if we perish in the attempt, our example, at least, will be followed, and our death avenged." cess. "Dear Prince," said I, "you are endowed by all that ardent enthusiasm requisite for the success of the enterprise you contemplate; you have lost none of that martial feeling, and that thirst for danger, for which you were distinguished when at Petersburgh; but, Ypsilanti, pardon my sincerity, if, while I admire as much now as ever your patriotic devotedness, I venture to point out the danger of your enterprise, and even the improbability of its suc""How!" exclaimed he, 66 can danger and improbability be weighed against the result which I anticipate? Perhaps, my presence alone may cast the die. Hear me," continued Ypsilanti, "and then judge. From early childhood, I have proudly cherished the hope of setting my country free, and avenging the wrongs of my family, who were basely sacrificed to political suspicion. This hope supported me through a weary apprenticeship to the military profession in Russia, when I filled the rank of ensign in the Guards. It enabled me even to endure the overbearing inso lence of men, who were my superiors in rank, though I was far from considering them as even my equals in the world. The hope of living to see the fulfilment of the objects nearest my heart, made me willingly submit to the tyrannical discipline of the emperor's brother, of whose rigid punctilio, the anecdote of the court ball is a sufficient evidence. The sentiments which took root in my heart at so early an age, were developed and strengthened as I advanced in life, and have never forsaken me, either in the camp or in the court. My mind is incessantly haunted with recollections of my father, basely betrayed by courtiers, who, measuring their ingratitude by the extent of the favours he had conferred on them, solicited and obtained from the Divan his deposition and the sacrifice of his life, which was preserved only by the faithful Arnauts of his guards, who escorted him across the Carpathian mountains to the hospitable court of Alexander. I still see my mother on her death-bed, making me swear eternal hatred to the fol lowers of Islamism, and vengeance on the monsters who went to Constantinople to deliver up her father, the last of the Comeni, into the hands of the executioners. The standard of independence is already unfurled in the principalities of Moldavia and Walachia, Confidential agents are issuing proclamations, to which the inhabitants reply by flying to arms. The Boyards are heading their vassals, and in three days I shall join them. Can you believe that the people will remain deaf to the cry of liberty raised by the son of their Hospodar ?" "I know, my friend," I replied, "the reputation and the recollections which your 66 66 * While Prince Ypsilanti was dancing a polonaise with Princess Jeanetta Czernestinska, his regimental hat got turned a little to one side. Ypsilanti, that is not etiquette," said the Grand Duke Constantine as he passed him. The Prince drew his hat over his forehead; but in the second round the hat again got displaced. Ypsilanti," repeated the Grand Duke in a tone of violent displeasure, "I have already told you that that is not right." In the third round, the unfortunate hat again transgressed the military regulation. The Prince was immediately ordered to leave the ball room, and was sent to prison for three days. "There you may learn," said Constantine, "to wear your hat as you should do." father has left behind him in the country which he ruled so wisely.* I have myself witnessed the veneration in which his name is held, and the esteem that is entertained for you, since you have, by your own merit, risen to the rank of General in the Russian army. Besides, the Princess Helena has assured me that you will depart, followed by the good wishes of Russia, and even of all Europe. But, Prince, while your generous soul cherishes these flattering hopes, have you weighed the consequences that may attend your project. Success alone will justify the step you meditate; and should a single reverse chill the ardour of your partisans, your enterprise which is now considered as sublime, will be pronounced wild and fanatical, and you will fall a victim to your noble devotedness. For the last thirty years, the French revolution has convulsed the whole of Europe. We have seen a good cause of one day become a criminal cause on the next, and even posterity will judge only from results. But far be it from me to dissuade you from your determination, though I conceive it to be the duty of friendship to warn you against the dangers in which your noble enthusiasm may involve you. Consider how many unsuccessful attempts have already been made for the liberation of Greece. The Empress Catharine, you know, sent Alexis Orloff to the Mediterranean, to attack the Mussulman force. What were the consequences of the expedition to the Peloponnesus? The Greeks, who had been excited to rise by the promises of Russia, were soon cruelly forsaken, and delivered up to the implacable revenge of their irritated masters." "But times are changed," said Ypsilanti; "the cause of Greece is now the cause of Europe. It is the cause of religion as well as of humanity.” "Certainly," resumed I, "the most revolting pictures have been drawn of the excesses committed by the barbarians in the subjugated provinces. A universal cry of indignation has been raised against them, strong representations have been made to them on the subject of their tyranny; but, notwithstanding all their stupid ignorance, they are persuaded that their political existence is indispensable to the balance of Europe, and it is, in fact, on this account that they have for many years been tolerated in their station on the Bosphorus. Were they driven back into Asia, to whom would the Dardanelles be ceded? Philosophy grieves to be obliged to yield to this political consideration." "What apprehensions do you now disclose!" said the Prince with emotion. "I no longer recognise in you those sentiments which once so perfectly sympathised with mine, and which formed the first links of our affection." "They are not changed, my dear Alexander,” I replied, "but a few years such as those which have last passed away, may have matured them sooner than might otherwise have been expected. In this age, life advances rapidly, and I have too often seen cases in which reflection only arrived with the last misfortune. Having been the spectator of many dramatic scenes, I can form some judgment of actors, plots, and denouements; and what I have learned most to distrust, is the appearance of violent enthu siasm, under whatever denomination it may display itself." "Enthusiasm is, however, the parent of great actions. It is like sail to a ship; with too much, a vessel may be foundered; but without, she would never reach her Port." "Look here, my dear friend," said I, "is not that the town of Wun *The Hospodar is perhaps the only Sovereign whose government is regretted after an existence of six years. The following is a trait honourable to a legislator. Having the lives of his subjects at his arbitrary disposal, against which there was no possibility of appeal, and knowing the cruelties which despotism is liable to commit, Ypsilanti decreed, that before the execution of a criminal, the governor of prisons should appear three times in his presence, solemnly repeating the words" Dost thou persist in shedding human blood ?" 66 siedel ?" "Yes, certainly, to the do existed, I consider them so degenerate, that, like the Israelites of old, they will murmur at their deliverance." "The picture is unfavoura ble, I will even say, unjust," replied Ypsilanti, with some warmth, "but facts always speak more clearly than arguments, and time is still a better instructor. You will take it for granted, I hope, that I have not acted altogether without reflection: moreover, to settle your friendly doubts, I wish you to return with me to Carlsbad. I will there prove to you, that the plan which I follow is as wisely framed as the cause it will render triumphant is sacred." "Excuse me, Prince, I must leave Alexandrebad this evening, and sleep in Beiruth to-night; but if the affair which calls me thither, should terminate as promptly as I wish it, I promise you to set out for Bohemia before to-morrow night. But be that as it may, in whatever spot I may be, you may rely upon it, that there have "Of that I am friend." a certain," said Ypsilanti. you We began to descend the mountain, contemplating the astonishing effects of nature which surrounded us. I pressed his arm close to my side, and we walked down without speaking a word. I feared to break the silence, for I was so interested by what I had heard, that any thing I could have said, would have been cold compared to my feelings. When we reached the bottom of the mountain, the sun had set. The flowers exhaled their perfumes, returning the incense of evening to the fine day which had given them life. The bleating of the flocks, and the song of the reapers, gladdened their way to the fold and the hamlet. The shepherd of the valley made the echoes of Louisaburgh resound with his rustic pipe. "We must now part," said Ypsi: lanti, and we accordingly took leave of each other; but we soon turned again towards those imposing masses which we were, doubl.ess, about to * The quarter of Constantinople inhabited by the Greeks. |