t, with the most profound gratitude, my thanks to the
emperor, for this new and distinguished honour conferred upon me. I have
placed it on my coat, on my left side, over my heart. I cannot say,
however flattering this mark of favour is to me, that I can in any
manner serve the Sublime Porte more than I have done; for, it has ever
been with all my soul. But this mark of favour shews, in the strongest
light, that the smallest services are watched, and most magnificently
rewarded, by his Imperial Majesty; whose life, may God prolong, with
health and every other earthly happiness: and may he give me
opportunities of shewing my gratitude, by risking my life for the
preservation of the smallest grain of sand belonging to the Ottoman
empire; and may the enemies of his Imperial Majesty fall into dust, by
the wise councils of your excellency!"

His lordship also wrote a similar letter to the Captain Pacha; in which
he did not forget the kindest recommendation of his friend Cadir Bey,
and general remembrances to all the admirals and captains serving under
that worthy commander. Earl Elgin, and Mr. Spencer Smith, both now at
Constantinople, were likewise most respectfully addressed by his
lordship. To the former, he modestly writes--"Having yesterday received
such a mark of the Grand Signior's favour, I have been puzzled how to
express myself properly. I must, therefore, trust to your excellency's
goodness for supplying my deficiency of language." To the latter, he
returns thanks for all his goodness to his lordship, both public and
private; sends him some sherry and sugar, but can neither get a drop of
Madeira nor claret in the island, or even in all Italy: and concludes
with desiring affectionate remembrances to his brother, Sir Sidney,
whenever he writes; for whom, his lordship observes, he has just sent "a
large cargo of good things."

The pleasure, however, of this unexpected honour from the Grand Signior,
was insufficient to preserve the susceptible heart which it covered,
from corroding cares, and painful anxieties, for his country and his
friends. He wanted not, indeed, for personal and private causes of
vexation and regret: but these, though they were perpetually preying on
his constitution, seldom called forth his complaint; and scarcely ever
were even mentioned, except to a very few of his most select friends.

One of the first disappointments, after this recent honour, was the
arrival of Captain Stephenson, to take