«ΜΙΑ ΠΙΣΤΗ ΕΙΚΟΝΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ»: ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΤΟΥ ΙΡΛΑΝΔΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΑ JAMES EMERSON (1825)

Abstract

The diary of James Emerson, Irish traveller and politician (Belfast 1804 – London 1869), is a reliable source of information on the Greek reality during the period of the Greek Revolution. Emerson makes it clear from the outset in his preface that he will not deal with Greek antiquities, but with the political and intellectual developments of the country, having collected his material from eyewitnesses and based on his personal observation. The Irish traveller landed in the Peloponnese in March 1825, and his itinerary included several towns, most of them destroyed by the war, among them Glarentsa, Gastouni, Pyrgos, Tripolitsa, Nafplio. He continued his journey to the Aegean and visited Hydra, Spetses, Athens, Cyclades, Chios and Smyrna. He deals with the natural and human environment, some of the important persons of the Struggle and warfare. At the end of his book he provides ‘‘Supplementary comments’’ on the economic, political and intellectual situation in Greece and on the national character of the Greeks. Emerson shows an observant and rational spirit, but also philhellenic feelings by positively evaluating his experience in Greece and believing that the Greeks, despite their flaws and weaknesses, could have a promising future as a nation.