THE WAR OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE 1821 TO 1833 BY W.ALISON PHILLIPS 1897

PETROBEY MAVROMICITALES 361
him high above the brigand chiefs by whom he was
for the most part surrounded, and to point him out as
the natural leader of the Greek revolt. But his mild
and genial character, and his lack of political intuition,
had early pushed him into the background, and compelled
him to give place to men who, like Kolokotrones,
were of a fiercer and more masterful disposition. For
his objects in rising against the Turks were
the rest,
probably no more disinterested than theirs.
But few
of the Greek leaders ever rose to the idea of a patriotism
to which all personal interests were subordinate;
and, for the most part, they desired to end the dominion
of the Ottoman pashas only that they themselves
might reign as pashas in their stead.
To this rule Petrobey
was no exception. When, therefore, it began
to appear that the sole outcome of all the ten years'
struggle was to be a highly centralised despotism
worked in the interests of Russia, the old chief was
naturally but ill-content. At first, indeed, Capodistrias
had been at pains to conciliate him. He was made
a member of the Senate, and his demands for money
were from time to time listened to.
But Petrobey's
ideas of feudal magnificence and patriarchal generosity
made him a lavish spender; and Capodistrias at
'
length wearied of the eternal petitioner/ as he called
him. The insubordination and restlessness of the