a shrewd, uneducated, patriotic old priest. He has a son in the senate. From him and from the couriers, who rest at his house, he learns all that passes. I could discover no bigotry in his character; on the contrary, he was surrounded by Turks, whom he had saved and treated well. I gave him a modern Greek Bible, and some newspapers. He seemed to prefer the latter.

On the 26th, we reached the port of Trazonia. The wind was contrary. We took up our abode in a cavern closed in with branches, and thought it comfortable. On the 27th, we resolved on proceeding to Corinth. The captain of the boat and the wind were contrary and obstinately against us. They triumphed, and took us to Vostitza. The Capitano Londos was absent, but his adjutant, his commissary, and his secretary treated us hospitably.

The people here have still more of the Asiatic character than those of Western Greece. They are for a limited monarchy. I tell them that the government that gave them a king would, in fact, be their rulers: that limited monarchy would soon degenerate into absolute rule: that the people should be their own sovereigns; and that the only nations that are contented with their governments are Switzerland and America. I tell them that, as I was born under the best mixed government, I would endeavour to maintain that order of things; but that it would be madness in the Greeks to accept any, but especially a foreign, king. I never fail to impress on the minds of the Greeks the necessity of publicity in the proceedings of their parliaments and their courts of justice; but, most of all, in giving free vent to the expression of the people's thoughts.

Yours, &c.

L. S.

LETTER XLII.

TO LORD BYRON.*

My dear Lord Byron,

Athens, 6th March, 1824.

ON the 21st February I bivouacked in the tent of the Perfect of the Lepanto district. He had just had a conference with the garrison of that place, and said that if your Lordship appeared there with a considerable force, and the arrears due to the troops, amounting to 25,000 dollars, could be paid, the fortress would be surrendered. Most anxiously do I hope your Lordship will proceed thither, terminate the negotiation, and take prossession of the place. This conquest would almost secure the independence of Greece, and would shorten her struggle, perhaps, by many years.†

A short distance from the Monastery, we learned, from a scout previously despatched by me, that a party of Turkish horse had been waylaying us, but had departed. Had we not been detained for five hours, we should have, probably, fallen into their hands.

We disembarked, during a gale of wind, on a rocky shore near Corinth. I was the last to leave the ship, and on my landing was told that Colocotroni's troops. had chased the constitutionalists from that fortress. I resolved on passing the Isthmus, at night, through the

* The notes to this letter were added by Lord Byron, previously to forwarding it to the Committee.-ED.

"The Suliots declined marching against Lepanto, saying, that they would not fight against stone-walls.' Colonel Stanhope also knows their conduct here in other respects lately.-N. B."

outposts of the constitutionalists, who now blockaded the place, and safely reached the opposite shore. Thence we embarked that very night, sailed the next morning, and heard, during the whole of that day, a cannonade from Corinth.

I am delighted with Athens; with its atmosphere; its beautiful situation; its antiquities; its general; and its enfranchised people.

Yesterday, a public meeting took place, for the purpose of choosing three persons to serve as magistrates for Athens. The persons were named; their respective merits were canvassed, and they were then ballotted for, and chosen by universal suffrage. This day, another meeting took place, for the purpose of choosing three judges. I attended the assembly held in the square opposite the port. Odysseus, with others, was seated on the hustings. Opposite stands an old tree, surrounded with a broad seat, from which the magistrates addressed the people, explained the objects for which they were assembled, and desired them to name their judges. A free debate then took place, it lasted long, became more and more animated, and, at last, much difference of opinion existing, a ballot was demanded, and the judges were chosen.

I have been constantly with Odysseus. He has a very strong mind, a good heart, and is brave as his sword; he is a doing man; he governs with a strong arm, and is the only man in Greece that can preserve order. He puts, however, complete confidence in the people. He is for a strong government, for constitutional rights, and for vigorous efforts against the enemy. He professes himself of no faction, neither of Ipsilanti's, nor of Colocotroni's, nor of Mavrocordato's; neither of the Primates, nor of the

Capitani, nor of the foreign king faction. He speaks of them all in the most undisguised manner. He likes good foreigners, is friendly to a small body of foreign troops, and courts instruction. He has established two schools here, and has allowed me to set the press at work. He complains that the press of Missolonghi does not insert articles that do not suit the politics of the editor. He wishes every intelligent Greek in Europe to proceed to Greece: and wrote to Coray and others, a year back, to come to this country, to aid in the formation of their government, their laws, &c. These letters were not forwarded, owing to the dissensions which then reigned, but he will now despatch them, at my request. He thinks Bambas a most efficient patriot, and has agreed to address him, and to solicit his presence in Greece. In short, considering his education, his pursuits, and the society by which he has been surrounded, he is a most extraordinary man.

Odysseus is most anxious to unite the interests of Eastern and Western Greece, for which purpose he is desirous of immediately forming a congress at Salona. He solicits your Lordship's and Mavrocordato's presence, with two or three other persons, should you deem their attendance necessary. To further this object Captain Humphreys will hasten to Missolonghi. In six days he will be with you; and, if you can come to a resolution in two days, he may be back here in a fortnight. At six o'clock to-morrow, Odysseus proceeds to Negro

"I hope that the press will succeed better there than it has here. The Greek newspaper has done great mischief both in the Morea and in the islands, as I represented both to Prince Mavrocordato and to Colonel Stanhope that it would do in the present circumstances, unless great caution was observed.-N. B.”

ponte; and two days after the receipt of your Lordship's and Mavrocordato's answer, he will be at Salona, provided you come to the same resolution and act with the same celerity that he does. In the event of the proposed meeting he will bring with him Pannuria, the prefects of Thebes, Livadia, and Athens; Captain Trelawny, and myself. I implore your Lordship and the president, as you love Greece and her sacred cause, to attend at Salona. Should you be ill or feeble, which God forbid, we solicit Count Gamba's presence. All delays, even that of a day, will, in the opinion of Odysseus, be injurious, as the Turks will be in motion immediately. Excuse great haste, and believe me

Yours, &c.

L. S.

P.S. Pray return this letter to Captain Humphreys, to forward to Mr. Barff, at Zante, who will forward it to England.

L. S.*

* The following was written by Lord Byron on the back of the letter.

"Dear Sir,

"To J. Bowring, Esq.

"March 19, 1824.

"Preparations are making for the ensuing campaign. Col. S. and Capt. Parry's reports will have instructed the Committee. Means and money will be required; men are in plenty, if we have the former. I shall endeavour to do my duty.

"Yours,

"N. B.

"P.S. Prince Mavrocordato and L. B. go to Salona. I (L. B.) request Mr. Bowring to urge the Hon. Douglas Kinnaird to send L. B. credits to the extent of L. B.'s resources. Here there are the greatest difficulties of every kind for the moment-but they have hope and will fight it out.-N. B.”