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NATIONALITY NOT THE GREATEST OF VIRTUES. 113

to them distinctive appellations, when human weakness did not permit all mankind to unite in one nation, one society. Thus the division of men into nations was a matter of political economy, and not a decree of nature. Humanity must remain thus divided, until a way is found to realize the idea of Christ-to be united and love one another.' But still the tendency towards that idea will be progressive; whilst the tendency towards exclusive nationality is retrograde, or at least stationary. We Ionians have for some time displayed much fanaticism in favour of nationality, which is at present regarded by many as the first of virtues, and as a sentiment of great generosity. It is easy to prove that the many are in error, but it is difficult for them to understand and sympathize with our feelings.

"Nationality has its generous side; but it is peculiar and circumscribed. The love of one's country has for its origin the love of the individual. He who loves his nation has first loved himself, then his family and neighbours, afterwards his locality, and finally his country. Up to this point the love of one's country is the greatest expansion of the heart, and compared with the love of the individual is certainly a noble sentiment. But the depths of love do not end here; and the love of one's country bears to the love of humanity the same position as the love of the individual bears to the love of one's country. He who sacrifices the rest of humanity to his nation,

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is as egotistical and mean as he who sacrifices his nation to his individuality."

Unknown to the author of the passage of which the above is a translation, very similar ideas had been expressed before in a condensed form by a speaker illustrious both by royal rank and by personal merit. "Nobody," said the Prince Consort, on the 21st of March, 1850, at the Guildhall, London

"nobody who has paid attention to the peculiar features of our present era will doubt for a moment that we are living at a period of wonderful transition, which tends rapidly to accomplish that great end to which all history points-the realization of the unity of mankind."

A great monarch has lately proposed that Europe should take, what may be considered as the first step towards carrying into practice the sublime theory in question, by means of a Congress, bent on securing the peace of the world. But for any mortal to assume such an initiative, it is necessary that he should not only have attracted the admiration, but have also gained the respect and confidence of the civilized world.

CHAPTER VIII.

Flowers and Foliage-Wine Company unsuccessful-Unpopularity of Cephalonia as a Station-Local Society without a Head-A too secluded Ruler— Wedding in High Life-Sugarplum Surfeit-Privileged EnglishmenThe Marriage Ceremonies—“ Let the Wife fear her Husband”—Cephalonian Beauty-An unwonted Dance-How Unionists were sometimes Manufactured-A too classical Partner in the Dance-Visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales-H.S.H. the Prince of Leiningen-A Crown refused by a Naval Captain-The Prince's Ride-A Royal Dinner Party-The Mysteries of Cephalonia-The Royal Departure-The Ionian Steamer and the Ionian Assembly-The President of the Assembly-Offer of a Country-houseBegging Boys-Count Roma, Mr. Stevens-Zante, second in Beauty only to Corfu―The Pitch Wells-Luncheon of Grapes-Advantage of a Knowledge of Greek-Superior Clubs of Zante-The Archives-The GhettoFirst Visits made by Strangers-Count Lunzi's Country-house-Appropriate Present to a John Bull-How the Greek War-office employed the Military Staff-" Hair Mattresses for Private Soldiers"-The Resident and the Rizospast-Mr. Stevens' Mistake regarding the Mills-Tempting Offer of a Passage to Athens-A Greek Regent of British Descent-The Alfred Mania -Obstinacy of the Greeks-A Rash Promise.

ALTHOUGH the general aspect of Cephalonia (especially as viewed from the harbour and town of Argostoli) appears barren and rugged, it yet contains some fertile and picturesque valleys and slopes. There is also in some parts of the island an abundance of trees, flowers, and fruits, sufficient to attract the admiration of travellers who have not

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