eir
reshipment, they assisted us as energetically in replacing them in the
boat, as they did at first in removing them from it. On our last trip
to the shore, the merchant went with us, and I took several pieces of
gold with me, which I offered to the honest fellows who had so
generously and voluntarily rendered us such efficient service; when,
to my still greater surprise, they, to a man, making a low bow, and
muttering something, which to me was unintelligible, put their hands
on their hearts, and refused to accept it. The merchant, who
understood a word or two only of their language, said that he could
make out that what they had said was, that _we were brothers_, and _in
distress_, and _that_ was enough to induce them to do what they could
to assist us.

'Our vessel then proceeded on her voyage to Constantinople, which she
reached in a short time, and got her cargo safely disembarked. While
there, I occasionally met in the streets several of the men who had
assisted us, and received from them in passing always a pleasing smile
of recognition.'

I ask my readers whether they think that, if such a thing had occurred
on almost any part of _our own coasts_, a similar result would have
taken place? Is it not notorious, and a deep and indelible stain on
the great proportion of our population on the coast, that on a wreck
taking place, the natives not only pilfer all that they can lay their
hands upon, but sometimes do not even hesitate, it is alleged, to
extinguish any glimmering sparks of life that may be perceptible in
the bodies of the unfortunate mariners who have been washed
ashore--with a view to protect themselves in the possession of their
basely acquired spoil? And is it not equally notorious, that so far
from their doing anything to warn a ship in distress, that they see
approaching their iron-bound shores, of its danger, and doing anything
to prevent it, they very often shew false signals, so as to draw the
unfortunate vessel upon the rocks which it is so anxious to avoid?
Such practices are an everlasting disgrace to the natives of many
parts of our coasts; and how nobly, therefore, does the conduct of the
poor Turks contrast with it, and that, too, be it borne in mind, even
when rendered to those whom they are taught to regard as Infidels!

My venerable informant also told me, that during an occasional
intercourse, extending over a period of nearly twenty years, with the
natives of several parts of Turkey