ess
is now engaged in hostilities, not only on account of the impossibility
of reducing them to subjection but because the whole of Europe is
directly or indirectly engaged in their support. I beg your Highness to
be assured that, if I present myself to your consideration in a more
conspicuous point of view than others, it is only because the habits of
my life have enabled me to be openly instrumental in the protection of a
Christian people whom you attack, and not because I feel animosity
against your Highness, nor because I desire the overthrow of the lawful
power of your Highness. Should your Highness, however, listen to
interested counsellors, or to those who hope to gain by adulation, and
continue the present unjust and sanguinary contest, I take leave once
more to warn you that the first visit I have had the honour of paying
you shall not be the last, and that it is not in the power of your
Highness to prevent the destruction of your ships destined for the
invasion of Greece, nor to defeat my intention to block up the port of
Alexandria. I had the honour to address your Highness twelve months ago;
but have thought proper to repeat once more the honest advice I then
expressed, in order that your Highness may acquit me when, in the hour
of adversity, you have to regret that you have not listened to the voice
of truth."

Lord Cochrane's threats could not be enforced. Off the coast of Asia
Minor and among the southern islands of the Archipelago he waited for
more than a week. But no adequate reinforcements or supplies of
provisions arrived. The disorganised fleet became more and more
unmanageable. One vessel after another deserted, and those that remained
in nominal attendance on the flag-ship could not be brought under
control. Lord Cochrane, who had made skilful sailors and brave warriors
of enervated Chilians and Brazilians, found the Greeks utterly
unmanageable. Up to the 2nd of July he tried vainly to bring them into
order, and only succeeded in pursuing them from island to island until,
on that day, they had drawn him back to the neighbourhood of Hydra.
There they all dispersed, and with a heavy heart he anchored at Poros on
the 4th. The _Hellas_ was immediately deserted by her crew. Another
month had been wasted and another bold project for the assistance of
Greece had been spoiled by the want of patriotism which, exhibited first
and most flagrantly by the leaders, was now rapidly pervading all
classes of the