44

But in the pillage of Constantinople and the fatal conse-
quences resulting from that dreadful calamity, we are presented
with the destructive effects of the crusades in their most
glowing colours. This magnificent and celebrated city, which
had, since the decline of the Roman power in the West, been
the capital of the Eastern Empire, and for many ages the emporium
of the world and the only refuge for the arts and sciences during the
reign of barbarity and ignorance in Europe, was taken,
plundered and set on fire by the crusaders and [pushed?] at
once from that proud station which for centuries she had
held, into to the lowest state of debasement and insignifi-
cence. Long must genius lament the loss of many immortal
works of antiquity that were consumed in the conflagra-
tion which laid Constantinople in ruins. The destruction
of its capital gave a mortal blow to the power and strength
of the Eastern Empire; her wealth dissipated and her provinces
disjointed she presented but the mere skeleton of a once
powerful and flourishing country The refulgent star of her glory
sunk so low in the horizon that the crepuscular light it
afforded served only to aggravate the horrors of her miserable and be-
nighted condition. Such were deplorable consequences of
those expeditions, which, as friends to religion and humani-
ty as friends to literature and the interest of society we must
ever execrate and deplore.

William H Battle
E Philips

Spoken 1st Oct. 1819