rk and the Englishman disposed of the
territory of Parga; agreeing that a fresh estimate should be made on the
spot by experts chosen by both English and Turks. The result of this
valuation was that the indemnity granted to the Christians was reduced by
the English to the sum of 276,075 sterling, instead of the original
500,000. And as Ali's agents only arrived at the sum of 56,750, a final
conference was held at Buthrotum between Ali and the Lord High
Commissioner. The latter then informed the Parganiotes that the indemnity
allowed them was irrevocably fixed at 150,000! The transaction is a
disgrace to the egotistical and venal nation which thus allowed the life
and liberty of a people to be trifled with, a lasting blot on the honour
of England!

The Parganiotes at first could believe neither in the infamy of their
protectors nor in their own misfortune; but both were soon confirmed by a
proclamation of the Lord High Commissioner, informing them that the
pacha's army was marching to take possession of the territory which, by
May 10th, must be abandoned for ever.

The fields were then in full bearing. In the midst of plains ripening
for a rich harvest were 80,000 square feet of olive trees, alone
estimated at two hundred thousand guineas. The sun shone in cloudless
azure, the air was balmy with the scent of orange trees, of pomegranates
and citrons. But the lovely country might have been inhabited by
phantoms; only hands raised to heaven and brows bent to the dust met
one's eye. Even the very dust belonged no more to the wretched
inhabitants; they were forbidden to take a fruit or a flower, the priests
might not remove either relics or sacred images. Church, ornaments,
torches, tapers, pyxes, had by this treaty all become Mahommedan
property. The English had sold everything, even to the Host! Two days
more, and all must be left. Each was silently marking the door of the
dwelling destined so soon to shelter an enemy, with a red cross, when
suddenly a terrible cry echoed from street to street, for the Turks had
been perceived on the heights overlooking the town. Terrified and
despairing, the whole population hastened to fall prostrate before the
Virgin of Parga, the ancient guardian of their citadel. A mysterious
voice, proceeding from the sanctuary, reminded them that the English had,
in their iniquitous treaty, forgotten to include the ashes of those whom
a happier fate had spared the sight of the ruin of P