questi tre. Ma la guerra civile non parmi strada che agli ultimi due. Se invidia la sorte della Valachia e della Crimea, può ottenerla domani; se quella dell' Italia, posdomani; ma se vuol diventare la vera Grecia, libera per sempre e indipendente, conviene che si determini oggi, o non avrà più tempo mai più.

Sono con tutto rispetto

Dell' A.V. devot servo,

N. B.

P.S.-Vostra Altezza saprà già come io ho cercato di soddisfare alle richieste del governo Greco per quanto era nel poter mio; ma vorrei che questa flotta sì lungo tempo aspettata e sempre in vano arrivasse, o almeno fosse in strada: o sopratutto che L. A. vostra si accostasse a queste parti, o sulla flotta con missione pubblica, o in qualche altro modo.

1114.-To John Bowring.

Iobre 7, 1823.

I confirm the above: it is certainly my opinion that Mr. Millingen is entitled to the same salary with Mr. Tindall, and his service is likely to be harder.1

1. Julius Millingen (1800-78), who proposed to offer his services to the Greek Government as a doctor, reached Cephalonia early in November, 1823, provided with an introduction to Byron. He left Cephalonia and landed at Mesolonghi in the middle of December. Byron here refers to a letter, forwarded with his own, from Millingen, who asked the Committee to increase his pay. Millingen mentioned in his letter that the retreat of the Turks from before 66 Missolonghi had rendered unnecessary the appearance of the "Greek fleet." In a note to this passage Byron says, "By the "special providence of the Deity, the Mussulmans were seized with "a panic, and fled; but no thanks to the fleet, which ought to have "been here months ago, and has no excuse to the contrary, lately "-at least since I had the money ready to pay."

In another passage Millingen complains that his hope of pay from

I have written to you (as to Mr. Hobhouse for your perusal) by various opportunities, mostly private; also by the Deputies, and by Mr. Hamilton Browne.

The public success of the Greeks has been considerable, Corinth taken, Messolonghi nearly safe, and some ships in the Archipelago taken from the Turks; but there is not only dissension in the Morea, but civil war, by the latest accounts; to what extent we do not yet know, but hope trifling.

For six weeks I have been expecting the fleet, which has not arrived, though I have, at the request of the Greek Government, advanced—that is, prepared, and

Byron remarks, They have not A medical man penniless officers

the Greeks has "turned out perfectly chimerical." in a note, "and will do so, till they obtain a loan. "a rap, nor credit (in the islands) to raise one. "may succeed better than others; but all these "had better have stayed at home. Much money may not be re"quired, but some must."

Failing to establish a hospital, Millingen, with the help of Tindall (Memoirs on the Affairs of Greece, pp. 84, 85), opened a dispensary at Mesolonghi, in January, 1824, was in charge of it throughout Byron's short stay in the town, and attended him during his illness. Meanwhile Tindall had gone on to Athens. Millingen's Memoirs, etc., were published in 1831. From 1827 onwards Millingen lived at Constantinople, where he established a reputation as a doctor, and was court physician to five successive Sultans.

1. By December, 1823, the Greeks were engaged in civil war. The Executive Government, elected by the Assembly at Astros, was dominated by the military party under Kolokotrones. They had placed themselves more completely in his power by fixing the seat of their government at Nauplia in the autumn of that year. The Senate at Argos endeavoured to break this military power by deposing one of the Executive, and nominating another in his place. The Executive (December 10, 1823) retaliated by sending troops to arrest the members of the Senate, and seize their archives. The Senate hastily dispersed, appealed to Hydra for help, and settled at Kranidi, where, December 31, 1823, they impeached Petrobey and one of his colleagues. As the accused declined to offer any defence, they appointed a new Executive, with Konduriottes of Hydra as President. In this struggle between the Senate and the Executive, or between the constitutional party and the military faction, Andreas Londos and Zaimes were two of the constitutional leaders. The civil war which thus began was continued during the whole of Byron's stay in Greece. (See Appendix V.)

have in hand two hundred thousand piastres (deducting the commission and bankers' charges) of my own monies to forward their projects. The Suliotes (now in Acarnania) are very anxious that I should take them under my directions, and go over and put things to rights in the Morea, which without a force seems impracticable; and, really, though very reluctant (as my letters will have shown you) to take such a measure, there seems hardly any milder remedy. However, I will not do any thing rashly, and have only continued here so long in the hope of seeing things reconciled, and have done all in my power thereto. Had I gone sooner, they would have forced me into one party or other, and I doubt as much now; but we will do our best.

1115.-To John Bowring.

Yours, etc.

Iobre 10th 1823.

DEAR SIR,-Colonel Napier will present to you this letter. Of his military character it were superfluous to speak of his personal, I can say, from my own knowledge, as well as from all public rumour or private report, that it is as excellent as his military in short, a better or a braver man is not easily to be found. He is our man to lead a regular force, or to organise a national one for the Greeks. Ask the army-ask any one. He is besides a personal friend of both Prince Mavrocordato, Colonel Stanhope, and myself, and in such concord with all three that we should all pull together-an indispensable, as well as a rare point, especially in Greece at present.

To enable a regular force to be properly organised, it will be requisite for the loan-holders to set apart at least

500,000l. sterling for that particular purpose-perhaps more; but by so doing they will guarantee their own monies, "and make assurance doubly sure." They can appoint commissioners to see that part properly expended --and I recommend a similar precaution for the whole.

I hope that the deputies have arrived, as well as some of my various despatches (chiefly addressed to Mr. Hobhouse) for the Committee. Colonel Napier will tell you the recent special interposition of the gods, in behalf of the Greeks-who seem to have no enemies in heaven or on earth to be dreaded but their own tendency to discord amongst themselves. But these, too, it is to be hoped, will be mitigated, and then we can take the field on the offensive, instead of being reduced to the petite guerre of defending the same fortresses year after year, and taking a few ships, and starving out a castle, and making more fuss about them than Alexander in his cups, or Buonaparte in a bulletin. Our friends have done something in the way of the Spartans-(though not one tenth of what is told)-but have not yet inherited their style.

Believe me yours ever, etc., very truly,

N. B.

1116.-To Charles F. Barry.

1obre 110 1823.

DEAR BARRY,-As I have written to you lately, I shall not now trouble you at length.

The Greek external affairs go on well, the internal so so. I expect Mavrocordato daily: I hear that I am joined in commission with him by the Gov, and we are

1. Macbeth, act iv. sc. I.

have in hand two hundred thousand piastres (deducting the commission and bankers' charges) of my own monies to forward their projects. The Suliotes (now in Acarnania) are very anxious that I should take them under my directions, and go over and put things to rights in the Morea, which without a force seems impracticable; and, really, though very reluctant (as my letters will have shown you) to take such a measure, there seems hardly any milder remedy. However, I will not do any thing rashly, and have only continued here so long in the hope of seeing things reconciled, and have done all in my power thereto. Had I gone sooner, they would have forced me into one party or other, and I doubt as much now; but we will do our best.

:

1115-To John Bowring.

Yours, etc.

Iobre 10th 1823.

DEAR SIR,-Colonel Napier will present to you this letter. Of his military character it were superfluous to speak of his personal, I can say, from my own knowledge, as well as from all public rumour or private report, that it is as excellent as his military: in short, a better or a braver man is not easily to be found. He is our man to lead a regular force, or to organise a national one for the Greeks. Ask the army-ask any one. He is besides a personal friend of both Prince Mavrocordato, Colonel Stanhope, and myself, and in such concord with all three that we should all pull together-an indispensable, as well as a rare point, especially in Greece at present.

To enable a regular force to be properly organised, it will be requisite for the loan-holders to set apart at least