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CHAPTER I. |
"Sæpe intereunt aliis meditantes necem."
PHÆDRUS
"Those who plot the destruction of others, very often fall,themselves the victims."
"My father, in proportion as he grew old and rich, became weary ofAleppo. His natal soil, had it been the haunt of Calmucks or Bedouins,his fancy would have transformed into Paradise. No wonder that theequitable aristocracy and the peaceful husbandmen of Ragusa should beendeared to his heart by comparison with Egyptian plagues and Turkishtyranny. Besides, he lived for his children as well as himself. Theireducation and future lot required him to seek a permanent home.
"He embarked, with his wife and offspring, at Scanderoon. No immediateconveyance to Ragusa offering, the appearance of the plague in Syriainduced him to hasten his departure. He entered a French vessel forMarseilles. After being three days at sea, one of the crew was seized bythe fatal disease which had depopulated all the towns upon the coast.The voyage was made with more than usual