of Greece, and the British troops
withdrawn. One of the first things that happened in King George's reign
was the murder of three English gentlemen--Mr. Herbert, Mr. Lloyd, and
Mr. Vyner--who had gone with a party to see the plain of Marathon. A
gang of robbers came and seized upon them and carried them off to the
hills, demanding a ransom. Lady Muncaster, who was of the party, was
allowed to return to Athens with her husband, the robbers intending that
the ransom should be collected; but troops were sent out to rescue the
prisoners, and in rage and disappointment the robbers shot them all
three. The robbers were captured and put to death, and the young king
was bitterly grieved at not having been able to prevent these horrors.

[Picture: Plain of Marathon]

Schools are doing what they can, and the Greeks are very quick-witted,
and learn easily. They are excellent sailors, clever merchants, and
ready linguists, and they get on and prosper very fast; but till they
learn truth, honesty, and mercy, and can clear their country of robbers,
it does not seem as if anything could go really well with their kingdom,
or as if it could make itself be respected. Yet we must recollect that
the old Eastern Empire, under which they were for many centuries, did not
teach much uprightness or good faith; and that since that time they have
had four hundred years of desperate fighting for their homes and their
creed with a cruel and oppressive enemy, and that they deserve honour for
their constancy even to the death. Let us hope they will learn all other
virtues in time.

[Picture: Decorative chapter ending]

NOTES.

{29} "E" and "o" marked thus (e) (o) are pronounced long, as "Helleens."

{109} Thessaly, Epirus, Acarnania, AEtolia, Doris, two Locrian states,
Phocis, Boeotia, Attica, Megaris--Corinth, Sicyon, Phliasia, Achaia,
Elis, Arcadia, Argolis, Laconia, Messenia.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT CHARLOTTE'S STORIES OF GREEK
HISTORY***

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