LETTER DCVI. TO THE HONORABLE COLONEL STANHOPE. "Scrofer, (or some such name,) on board a Cephaoniote. "MY DEAR STANHOPE, where I landed Luke* and another, (as Luke's life was in most danger,) with some money for themselves, and a letter for Stanhope, and sent them up the country to Missolonghi, where they would be in safety, as the place where we were, could be assailed by armed boats in a moment, and Gamba had all our arms except two carbines, a fowling-piece, and some pistols. "In less than an hour the vessel in chase neared "We are just arrived here, that is, part of my people and I, with some things, &c., and which it may be as well not to specify in a letter, (which has us, and we dashed out again, and showing our stern, a risk of being intercepted, perhaps ;)-but Gamba (our boat sails very well,) got in before night to and my horses, negro, steward, and the press, and Dragomestri, where we now are. But where is the and all the committee things, also some eight thou- Greek fleet? I don't know-do you? I told our sand dollars of mine (but never mind we have more master of the boat that I was inclined to think the left, do you understand?) are taken by the Turkish two large vessels (there were none else in sight), frigates, and my party and myself, in another boat, Greeks. But he answered they are too large-why have had a narrow escape last night, (being close don't they show their colors?' and his account was under their stern and hailed, but we would not an- confirmed, be it true or false, by several boats which swer, and bore away,) as well as this morning. we met or passed, as we could not at any rate have Here we are, with sun and clearing weather, within got in with that wind without beating about for a a pretty little port enough: but whether our Turk-long time; and as there was much property and ish friends may not send in their boats and take us some lives to risk (the boy's especially) without any out, (for we have no arms except two carbines and means of defence, it was necessary to let our boatsome pistols, and, I suspect, not more than four men have their own way. fighting people on board,) is another question, especially if we remain long here, since we are blocked out of Missolonghi by the direct entrance. "I despatched yesterday another messenger to Missolonghi for an escort, but we have yet no answer. We are here (those of my boat) for the fifth "You had better send my friend George Drake day without taking our clothes off, and sleeping on (Draco,) and a body of Suliotes, to escort us by deck in all weathers, but are all very well, and in good land or by the canals, with all convenient speed. spirits. It is to be supposed that the government Gamba and our Bombard are taken into Patras, I will send, for their own sakes, an escort, as I have suppose; and we must take a turn at the Turks to sixteen thousand dollars on board, the greater part get them out: but where the devil has the fleet for their service. I had (besides personal property gone?-the Greek, I mean; leaving us to get in to the amount of about five thousand more), eight without the least intimation to take heed that the thousand dollars in specie of my own, without Moslems were out again. "Make my respects to Mavrocordato, and say, that I am here at his disposal. I am uneasy at being here; not so much on my own account as on that of a Greek boy with me, for you know what his fate yould be: and I would sooner cut him in pieces, and myself too, than have him taken out by those barbarians. We are all very well. "N. B. "The Bombard was twelve miles out when taken; at least so it appeared to us, (if taken she actually be, for it is not certain ;) and we had to escape from another vessel that stood right between us and the port." LETTER DCVII. "MY DEAR MUIR, TO MR. MUIR. "Dragomestri, Jan. 2, 1824. reckoning the committee's stores, so that the Turks will have a good thing of it if the prize be good. "I regret the detention of Gamba, &c., but the rest we can make up again, so tell Hancock to sc my bills into cash as soon as possible, and Corgialegno to prepare the remainder of my credit with Messrs. Webb to be turned into moneys. I shall remain here, unless something extraordinary occurs, till Mavrocordato sends, and then go on, and act according to circumstances. My respects to the two colonels, and remembrances to all friends. Tell Ultima Analise' that his friend Raidi did not make his appearance with the brig, though I think that he might as well have spoken with us in or off Zante, to give us a gentle hint of what we had to expect. "Yours ever affectionately, "N. B. "P. S. Excuse my scrawl on account of the pen and the frosty morning at daybreak. I write in haste, a boat starting for Kalamo. I do not know whether the detention of the Bombard, (if she be detained, for I cannot swear to it, and I can only "I wish you many returns of the season and hap-judge from appearances, and what all these fellows piness therewithal. Gamba and the Bombard, (there say,) be an affair of the government, and neutrality, is strong reason to believe,) are carried into Patras by and, &c.,-but she was stopped at least twelve miles distant from any port, and had all her papers regua Turkish frigate, which we saw chase them at dawn on the 31st; we had been close under the lar from Zante for Kalamo, and we also. I did not stern in the night, believing her a Greek till within land at Zante, being anxious to lose as little time pistol-shot, and only escaped by a miracle of all the as possible, but Sir F. S. came off to invite me, &c., Saints, (our captain says,) and truly I am of his and every body was as kind as could be, even in opinion, for we should never have got away of our- Cephalonia." selves. They were signalizing their consort with lights, and had illuminated the ship between decks, and were shouting like a mob;-but then why did they not fire? Perhaps they took us for a Greek brůlot and were afraid of kindling us-they had no colors flying even at dawn nor after. LETTER DCVIII. ΤΟ MR. C. HANCOCK. "DEAR SIR 'ANCOCK,'t "Dragomestri, Jan. 2, 1824. "Remember me to Dr. Muir and everybody. I have still the sixteen thousand dollars with me, the • A Greek youth whom he had brought with him, in his suite, from Ceph. "At daybreak my boat was on the coast, but the wind unfavorable for the port-a large vessel with the wind in her favor standing between us and the Gulf, and another in chase of the Bombard about twelve miles off or so. Soon after they stood (i. e. the Bombard and frigate), apparently towards Pa-alonia. tras, and a Zantiote boat making signals to us from habit which that gentleman had of using the phrase "in ultima analise the shore to get away. Away we went before the frequently in conversation. ↑ Count Delladecima, to whom he gives this name in consequence of a wind, and ran into a creek called Scrofes, I believe, This letter is, more properly, a postscript to one which Dr. Brune azt, rest were on board the Bombarda. Here we are the Greeks who missed stays,) the doctor exclaimed the Bombarda taken, or at least missing, with all Save him, indeed! by G-d! save me rather-I'l the committee stores, my friend Gamba, the horses, be first if I can'-a piece of egotism which he pro negro, bull-dog, steward, and domestics, with all nounced with such emphatical simplicity as to set al. our implements of peace and war, also eight thou- who had leisure to hear him laughing, and in a minsand dollars; but whether she will be lawful prize ute after the vessel drove off again after striking or no, is for the decision of the governor of the twice. She sprung a small leak, but nothing furSeven Islands. I have written to Dr. Muir, by way ther happened, except that the captain was very ner of Kalamo, with all particulars. We are in good vous afterward. condition; and what with wind and weather, and "To be brief, we had bad weather almost always, being hunted or so, little sleeping on deck, &c., are though not contrary; slept on deck in the wet genin tolerable seasoning for the country and circum- erafly for seven or eight nights, but never was in stances. But I foresee that we shall have occasion better health (I speak personally)-so much so for all the cash I can muster at Zante and else- that I actually bathed for a quarter of an hour on where. Mr. Barff gave us eight thousand and odd the evening of the fourth instant in the sea (to dollars; so there is still a balance in my favor. We kill the fleas, and other &c.,) and was all the better are not quite certain that the vessels were Turkish for it. which chased; but there is strong presumption that "We were received at Missolonghi with all kinds they were, and no news to the contrary. At Zante, of kindness and honors; and the sight of the fleet every body, from the resident downwards, were as saluting, &c., and the crowds and different eoskind as could be, especially your worthy and courte-tumes, was really picturesque. We think of underous partner. taking an expedition soon, and I expect to be ordered with the Suliotes to join the army. "Tell our friends to keep up their spirits, and we may yet do well. I disembarked the boy and another Greek, who were in most terrible alarm-the boy, at least, from the Morea-on shore near Anatoliko, I believe, which put them in safety; and as for me and mine, we must stick by our goods. "I hope that Gamba's detention will only be temporary. As for the effects and moneys,-if we have them, well; if otherwise, patience. I wish you a happy new year, and all our friends the same. 66 Yours, &c." "DEAR SIR, LETTER DCIX. TO MR. CHARLES HANCOCK. "All well at present. We found Gamba already arrived, and every thing in good condition. Remember me to all friends. "Yours ever, "N. B. "P. S. You will, I hope, use every exertion to realize the assets. For besides what I have already advanced, I have undertaken to maintain the Su otes for a year, (and will accompany them, either as a chief, or whichever is most agreeable to the government,) besides sundries. I do not understand Brown's letters of credit.' I neither gave nor ordered a letter of credit that I know of; and though of course, if you have done it, I will be responsible, I was not aware of any thing except that I would have backed his bills, which you said was unnecessary. As to orders-I ordered nothing but some red cloth and oil cloths, both of which I am “ Missolonghi, Jan. 13, 1534. ready to receive, but if Gamba has exceeded my Many thanks for yours of the 5th: ditto to commission, the other things must be sent back for I Muir for his. You will have heard that Gamba and cannot permit any thing of the kind, nor will." The my vessel got out of the hands of the Turks safe servants' journey will of course be paid for, though As for Brown's letter, I do and intact; nobody knows well how or why, for have said, and I there's a mystery in the story somewhat melodra- not know any thing more than matic. Captain Valsamachi has, I take it, spun a really cannot defray the charges of half Greece, and long yarn by this time in Argostoli. I attribute the Frank adventures besides. Mr. Barff must send their release entirely to Saint Dionisio, of Zante, us some dollars soon, for the expenses fall on me for and the Madonna of the Rock, near Cephalonia. the present. that is exorbitant. ** January 14, 133 "The adventures of my separate luck were also not finished at Dragomestri; we were conveyed out "P. S. Will you tell Saint (Jew) Geronimo by some Greek gun-boats, and found the Leonidas Corgialegno that I mean to draw for the balance of brig-of-war at sea to look after us.-But blowing my credit with Messrs. Webb & Co. I shall draw weather coming on, we were driven on the rocks for two thousand dollars, (that being about the twice in the passage of the Scrophes, and the dol- amount, more or less ;) but to facilitate the business, lars had another narrow escape. Two-thirds of the I shall make the draft payable also at Messrs. Barcrew got ashore over the bowsprit: the rocks were som & Co., Pall-Mall East, London. I believe I rugged enough, but water very deep close in shore, already showed you my letters, (but if not, I have so that she was, after much swearing and some ex- them to show,) by which, besides the credits now ertion, got off again, and away we went with a third of our crew, leaving the rest on a desolate island, where they might have been now, had not one of the gun-boats taken them off, for we were in no condition to take them off again. realizing, you will have perceived that I am not limited to any particular amount of credit with my bankers. The Honorable Douglas, my friend and trustee, is a principal partner in that house, and having the direction of my affairs, is aware to what "Tell Muir that Dr. Bruno did not show much extent my present resources may go, and the letters fight on the occasion, for besides stripping to his in question were from him. I can merely say, that flannel waistcoat, and running about like a rat in an within the current year, 1824, besides the money emergency, when I was talking to a Greek boy, (the already advanced to the Greek government, and the brother of the Greek girls in Argostoli,) and telling credits now in your hands and your partner's. (Mr. him of the fact that there was no danger for the Barff,) which are all from the income of 1823, I passengers, whatever there might be for the vessel, have anticipated nothing from that of the present and assuring him that I could save both him and year hitherto. I shall or ought to have at my myself without difficulty, (though he can't swim,) disposition upwards of one hundred thousand dafas the water, though deep, was not very rough,-the lars, (including my income, and the purchase monwind not blowing right on shore, (it was a blunder of eys of a manor lately sold,) and perhaps more, without infringing on my income for 1825, and not By his orders, written to Mr. Hancock, with some particulars of their voyage: including the remaining balance of 1823. And the Doctor having begun his letter, "Pregiatmo. Sigr. Ancock," Lord "Yours ever, "N. B." LETTER DCX. TO MR. CHARLES HANCOCK nor to pay the amount. I will take one hundred dollars worth; the rest may be sent back, and I will make the merchant an allowance of so much per cent.; or if that is not to be done, you must sell “ Misaolonghi, Jan. 17, 1824. the whole by auction at what price the things may “I have answered, at some length, your obliging fetch, for I would rather incur the dead loss of part, letter, and trust that you have received my reply by than be encumbered with a quantity of things, to means of Mr. Tindal. I will also thank you to re- me at present superfluous or useless. Why, I could mind Mr. Tindal that I would thank him to furnish have maintained three hundred men for a month for you, on my account, with an order of the committee the sum in Western Greece! for one hundred dollars, which I advanced to him on "When the dogs, and the dollars, and the negro, their account through Signor Corgialegno's agency and the horses, fell into the hands of the Turks, I at Zante on his arrival in October, as it is but fair acquiesced with patience, as you may have perthat the said committee should pay their own ex-ceived, because it was the work of the elements, of penses. An order will be sufficient, as the money war, or of Providence; but this is a piece of mere might be inconvenient for Mr. T. at present to dis- human knavery or folly, or both, and I neither can burse. nor will submit to it. I have occasion for every dol"I have also advanced to Mr. Blackett the sum lar I can muster to keep the Greeks together, and I of fifty dollars, which I will thank Mr. Stevens to do not grudge any expense for the cause; but to pay to you, on my account, from moneys of Mr. throw away as much as would equip, or at least Blackett, now in his hands. I have Mr. B.'s ac- maintain, a corps of excellent ragamuffins with knowledgment in writing. arms in their hands, to furnish Gamba and the "As the wants of the State here are still pressing, doctor with blank bills, (see list,) broadcloth, Hesand there seems very little specie stirring except sian boots, and horsewhips, (the latter I own that mine, still stand paymaster, and must again re- they have richly earned,) is rather beyond my enquest you and Mr. Barff to forward by a safe chan-durance, though a pacific person, as all the world nel (if possible) all the dollars you can collect on knows, or at least my acquaintances. I pray you the bills now negotiating. I have also written to to try to help me out of this damnable commercial Corgialegno for two thousand dollars, being about speculation of Gamba's, for it is one of those pieces the balance of my separate letter from Messrs. of impudence or folly which I don't forgive him in Webb and Co., making the bills also payable at a hurry. I will, of course, see Stevens free of exRansom's in London. pense out of the transaction; -by-the-way, the "Things are going on better, if not well; there is Greek of a Corfiote has thought proper to draw a some order, and considerable preparation. I expect bill, and get it discounted at twenty-four dollars; to accompany the troops on an expedition shortly, if I had been there, it should have been protested which makes me particularly anxious for the remain- also. ing remittance, as 'money is the sinew of war,' and "Mr. Blackett is here ill, and will soon set out of peace, too, as far as I can see, for I am sure there for Cephalonia. He came to me for some pills, and would be no peace here without it. However, a I gave him some reserved for particular friends, and little does go a good way, which is a comfort. The which I never knew any body recover from under government of the Morea and of Candia have writ- several months; but he is no better, and what is ten to me for a further advance from my own peculium of twenty or thirty thousand dollars, to which I demur for the present, (having undertaken to pay the Suliotes as a free gift and other things already, besides the loan which I have already advanced,) till I receive letters from England, which I have reason to expect. odd, no worse; and as the doctors have had no better success with him than I, he goes to Argostoli, sick of the Greeks and of a constipation. "I must reiterate my request for specie, and that speedily, otherwise public affairs will be at a standstill here. I have undertaken to pay the Suliotes for a year, to advance in March three thousand dol"When the expected credits arrive, I hope that lars, besides, to the government for a balance due you will bear a hand, otherwise I must have recourse to the troops, and some other smaller matters for to Malta, which will be losing time and taking the Germans, and the press, &c., &c., &c.; so what trouble; but I do not wish you to do more than is with those, and the expenses of my suite which, perfectly agreeable to Mr. Barff and to yourself. I am very well, and have no reason to be dissatisfied with my personal treatment, or with the posture of public affairs-others must speak for themselves. "Yours ever and truly, &c. "P. S. Respects to Colonels Wright and Duffie, and the officers civil and military; also to my friends Muir and Stevens particularly, and the Delladecima." though not extravagant, is expensive with Gamba's LETTER DCXI. TO MR. CHARLES HANCOCK. “ Misaolonghi, Jan. 19, 1824. LETTER DCXII. ΤΟ “ Misolonghi, Jan. 31, 1824. "The expedition of about two thousand men is planned for an attack on Lepanto; and for reasons "Since I wrote on the 17th, I have received a let-of policy with regard to the native Capitani, who ter from Mr. Stevens, enclosing an account from would rather be (nominally at least) under the comCorfu, which is so exaggerated in price and quan- mand of a foreigner, than one of their own body, tity, that I am at a loss whether most to admire the direction, it is said, is to be given to me. There Gamba's folly, or the merchant's knavery. All that is also another reason, which is, that if a capitulaI requested Gamba to order was red cloth, enough tion should take place, the Mussulmans might perto make a jacket, and some oil-skin for trousers, &c. haps, rather have Christian faith with a Frank than -the latter has not been sent-the whole could not with a Greek, and so be inclined to accede a point have amounted to fifty dollars. The account is six or two. These appear to be the most obvious mohundred and forty-five!!! I will guaranty Mr. Ste- tives for such an appointment, as far as I can con vens against any loss, of course, but I am not dis-jecture, unless there be one reason more, viz., that, posed to take the articles, (which I never ordered,) 'under present circumstances, no one else (not ever 972 Mavrocordato himself) seems disposed to accept tempt; and as for personal safety, besides that it such a nomination-and though my desires are as ought not to be a consideration, I take it that a far as my deserts upon this occasion, I do not de- man is on the whole as safe in one place as another; cline it, being willing to do as I am bidden; and as I pay a considerable part of the clans, I may as well see what they are likely to do for their money; besides I am tired of hearing nothing but talk. "I presume, from the retardment, that he is the same Parry who attempted the North Pole, and is (it may be supposed) now essaying the South." LETTER DCXIII. TO MR. CHARLES HANCOCK. and, after all, he had better end with a bullet than bark in his body. If we are not taken off with the sword, we are like to march off with an ague in this mud-basket; and to conclude with a very bad pun, to the ear rather than to the eye, better martially, than marsh-ally;-the situation of Missolonghi is not unknown to you. The dykes of Holland, when broken down, are the Deserts of Arabia for dryness, in comparison. I thank you "And now for the sinews of war. and Mr. Barff for your ready answers, which, next to ready money, is a pleasant thing. Besides the assets, and balance, and the relics of the Corgialegno correspondence with Leghorn and Genoa, (I sold the dog flour, tell him, but not at his price,) I shall request and require, from the beginning of “ Misolonghi, Feb. 5, 1824. "Dr. Muir's letter and yours of the 23d reached March ensuing, about five thousand dollars every in the current year, at regular intervals, independent me some days ago. Tell Muir that I am glad of his two months, i. e., about twenty-five thousand withpromotion for his sake, and of his remaining near ments to prove that these are considerably within us for all our sakes: though I cannot but regret Dr. of the sums now negotiating. I can show you doenKennedy's departure, which accounts for the previous earthquakes and the present English weather my supplies for the year in more ways than one; could or would advance on an emergency, because, in this climate. With all respect to my medical but I do not like to tell the Greeks exactly what I pastor, I have to announce to him, that among otherwise, they will double and triple their demands, other firebrands, our fire-master Parry (just landed) has disembarked an elect blacksmith, entrusted with (a disposition that they have already sufficiently three hundred and twenty-two Greek Testaments. shown;) and though I am willing to do all I can I have given him all facilities in my power for his when necessary, yet I do not see why they should works spiritual and temporal, and if he can settle not help a little, for they are not quite so bare as matters as easily with the Greek Archbishop and they pretend to be by some accounts. hierachy, I trust that neither the heretic nor the supposed skeptic will be accused of intolerance. 46 "Feb. 7, 1834 "I have been interrupted by the arrival of Parry, By-the-way, I met with the said Archbishop at Anatolico (where I went by invitation of the Pri- and afterward by the return of Hesketh, who has You will write soon I suppose. Farmate a few days ago, and was received with a not brought an answer to my epistles, which rather heavier cannonade than the Turks, probably) for surprises me. the second time, (I had known him here before;)ry seems a fine rough subject, but will hardly be and he and P. Mavrocordato, and the Chiefs and ready for the field these three weeks; he and I =] Primates and I, all dined together, and I thought (I think) be able to draw together at least I will the metropolitan the merriest of the party, and a not interfere with or contradict him in his own But Gamba (we department. He complains grievously of the mervery good Christian for all that. got wet through in our way back) has been ill with cantile and enthusymusy part of the committee, but a fever and colic; and Luke has been out of sorts greatly praises Gordon and Hume. Gordon rosid too, and so have some others of the people, and I have given three or four thousand pounds and come caught cold out himself, but Kennedy or somebody else disgusthave been very well,-except that yesterday with swearing too much in the rain at the ed him, and thus they have spoiled part of ther Greeks, who would not bear a hand in landing the subscription and cramped their operations. Parry committee stores, and nearly spoiled our combusti- says Bowring is a humbug, to which I say nothing. bles; but I turned out in person, and made such a He sorely laments the printing and civilizing ešrow as set them in motion, blaspheming at them penses, and wishes that there was not a Sundayfrom the government downwards, till they actually school in the world, or any school here at present, did some part of what they ought to have done sev-save and except always an academy for artillery eral days before, and this is esteemed, as it deserves ship. He complained also of the cold, a little to my to be, a wonder. "Tell Muir that, notwithstanding his remon- surprise; firstly, because, there being no chimneys, strances, which I receive thankfully, it is perhaps I have used myself to do without other warmth than best that I should advance with the troops; for if the animal heat and one's cloak, in these parts; we do not do something soon, we shall only have a and secondly, because I should as soon have ex third year of defensive operations and another siege, pected to hear a volcano sneeze, as a fire-master and all that. We hear that the Turks are coming (who is to burn a whole fleet) exclaim against the I fully expected that his very ap down in force, and sooner than usual; and as these atmosphere. fellows do mind me a little, it is the opinion that I proach would have scorched up the town like the should go,-firstly, because they will sooner listen burning-glasses of Archimedes. "Well, it seems that I am to be Commander-in to a foreigner than one of their own people, out of native jealousies; secondly, because the Turks will chief, and the post is by no means a sinecure, for sooner treat or capitualate (if such occasion should we are not what Major Sturgeon calls a set of the happen) with a Frank than a Greek; and, thirdly, most amicable officers.' Whether we shall have a because nobody else seems disposed to take the boxing 'bout between Captain Sheer and the Coloresponsibility-Mavrocordato being very busy here, nel,' I cannot tell; but, between Suliote chiefs, the foreign military men too young or not of author- German barons, English volunteers, and adven ity enough to be obeyed by the natives, and the turers of all nations, we are likely to form a chiefs (as aforesaid) inclined to obey any one ex-goodly an allied army as ever quarrelled beneath cept, or rather than, one of their own body. As for the same banner. me, I am willing to do what I am bidden, and to neither seek nor shun follow my instructions. that nor any thing else they may wish me to at ** Feb. 8, 18M. "Interrupted again by business yesterday, and it is time to conclude my letter. I drew some time since on Mr. Barff for a thousand dollars, to com plete some money wanted by the government. The "I am as ever &c." said government got cash on that bill here and at under your eyes, in the cause of Greece, will be te a profit; but the very same fellow who gave it to me one of the happiest events of my life. In the them, after proposing to give me money for other mean time, with the hope of our again meeting, bills on Barff to the amount of thirteen hundred dollars, either could not, or thought better of it. I had written to Barff advising him, but had afterward to write to tell him of the fellow's having not come up to time. You must really send me the balance soon. I have the artillerists and my Suliotes to pay, and Heaven knows what besides, and as every thing depends upon punctuality, all our operations will be at a stand-still unless you use "HIGHNESS! despatch. I shall send to Mr. Barff or to you further bills on England for three thousand pounds, to "Yours ever, LETTER DCXV. TO HIS HIGHNESS YUSSUFF PACHA. “ Missolonghi, 23d Jan. 1924, "A vessel, in which a friend and some domestics be negotiated as speedily as you can. I have al- of mine were embarked, was destined a few days ready stated here and formerly the sums I can ago and released by order of your Highness. I have command at home within the year,-without in-now to thank you; not for liberating the vessel, cluding my credits, or the bills already negotiated which, as carrying a neutral flag, and being under or negotiating, as Corgialegno's balance of Mr. British protection, no one had a right to detain; Webb's letter, and my letters from my friends but for having treated my friends with so much (received by Mr. Parry's vessel), confirm what I kindness while they were in your hands. have already stated. How much I may require in "In the hope, therefore, that it may not be altothe course of the year I can't tell, but I will take gether displeasing to your Highness, I have recare that it shall not exceed the means to supply it.quested the governor of this place to release four Turkish prisoners, and he has humanely consented "N. B. to do so. I lose no time, therefore, in sending them "P. S. I have had, by desire of a Mr. Jerostati, back, in order to make as early a return as I could to draw on Demetrius Delladecima (is it our friend for your courtesy on the late occasion. These priin ultima analise?) to pay the committee expenses. should the circumstance find a place in your recolsoners are liberated without any conditions: but, I really do not understand what the committee lection, I venture to beg that your Highness will mean by some of their freedoms. Parry and I get treat such Greeks as may henceforth fall into your on very well hitherto, how long this may last, hands with humanity; more especially since the Heaven knows, but I hope it will, for a good deal horrors of war are sufficiently great in themselves, for the Greek service depends upon it, but he has without being aggravated by wanton cruelties on already had some miffs with Col. S., and I do all I either side. can to keep the peace among them. However, Parry is a fine fellow, extremely active, and of strong, sound, practical talents, by all accounts. Enclosed are bills for three thousand pounds, drawn in the mode directed, (i. e. parcelled out in smaller bills.) A good opportunity occurring for Cephalonia to send letters on, I avail myself of it. Remember me to Stevens, and to all friends. Also my compliments and every thing kind to the colonels and officers. "February 9, 1924. "NOEL BYRON " LETTER DCXVI. TO MR. BARFF. "Feb. 21. "I am a good deal better, though of course weakly; the leeches took too much blood from my temples the day after, and there was some difficulty in stopping it, but I have since been up daily, and out in boats or on horseback. To-day I have taken a warm bath, and live as temperately as can well be, without any liquid but water, and without animal food. "P. S. 2d or 3d. I have reason to expect a person from England directed with papers (on business) for me to sign, somewhere in the islands, byand-by; if such should arrive, would you forward him to me by a safe conveyance, as the papers re- "Besides the four Turks sent to Patras, I have gard a transaction with regard to the adjustment of obtained the release of four-and-twenty women a lawsuit, and a sum of several thousand pounds, and children, and sent them at my own expense to which I, or my bankers and trustees for me, may Prevesa, that the English consul-general may conhave to receive (in England) in consequence. The sign them to their relations. I did this by their time of the probable arrival I cannot state, but the own desire. Matters here are a little embroiled date of my letters is the 2d Nov., and I suppose that with the Suliotes and foreigners, &c., but I still he ought to arrive soon." LETTER DCXIV. TO ANDREW LONDO.* "DEAR FRIEND, hope better things, and will stand by the cause as long as my health and circumstances will permit me to be supposed useful.* "I am obliged to support the government here for the present." [The prisoners mentioned in this letter as having · been released by him and sent to Prevesa had been held in captivity at Missolonghi since the beginning of the Revolution. The following was the letter which he forwarded with them to the English Consul at Prevesa.] "The sight of your handwriting gave me the greatest pleasure. Greece has ever been for me, as it must be for all men of any feeling or education, the promised land of valor, of the arts, and of liberty; nor did the time I passed in my youth in travelling among her ruins at all chill my affection for the birth-place of heroes. In addition to this, I am bound to yourself by ties of friendship and grati-" SIR, tude for the hospitailty which I experienced from LETTER DCXVII. TO MR. MAYER. Coming to Greece, one of my principal objects you during my stay in that country, of which you was to alleviate as much as possible the miseries inare now become one of the first defenders and ornaments. To see myself serving, by your side and • One of the Greek chiefs. In a letter to the same gentleman, dated January 27, he had already said, "I hope that things here will go on well sine time or other. I wi stick by the cause as long as a cause exists-first or second." |