Home life in Hellas, Greece and the Greeks - eBooks4Greeks.gr

TYPES AND TRAITS 157mans ; and Finlay in his history of events in whichhe took part, refers to the hostility of some of theGreek leaders towards Europeans. The treatmentmeted out to Philhellenes who went outto help the cause of Greece was not encouraging.The German and Swiss committees sent out in1822 a small regiment with the idea of its becomingthe nucleus of a disciplined force. Itsmembers reached Nauplia full of enthusiasm.Most of them were students, some were officers.Rations were allowed them at first,but were soonwithdrawn, and they were told that nobody notpossessed of means should have come. Theylived as well as they could on game and landtortoises,but many succumbed, and when at lastmoney came from Germany to help them to gethome, hardly a fifth of their number remained,and their condition was pitiable. Byron engagedto take them under his protection, and a fewremained on his staff at Mesolonghi. Theirtreatment was not due to want of funds. TheGreek executive had plenty. Count Santa Rosaleft his home and children atthe instance of theGreek deputies in London to offer his services.He was a man of brilliant accomplishments anda statesman. He was regarded with suspicionand made to feel that he was superfluous. Hereminded the Greek leaders of the words of theirown deputies. Pappaflessa replied :''The atmosphereof London seems to have made them forgetwhat sort of men we are here." The ardour of