he following morning, to
General Church. "The convent and its walls," he said, "have been
levelled to the ground. The rubbish alone remains on the southern side
towards the shipping; and it appears that not more than one hundred of
those it contained, or who fled within its walls for safety, now remain
to oppose, or assault, or threaten, the rear of the Greek army, should
you be able to prevail on its leaders to advance. I should remind those
leaders that, independently of the army, I have full fifteen hundred men
under my command, a thousand of whom, being on shore now at this port,
are more than sufficient to blockade these ruins or destroy all within;
which last event might have taken place yesterday had it not been that
the seamen were removed from the positions which they had stormed and
taken, in the neighbourhood of the convent, and soldiers placed in their
stead--a circumstance which seems to have given them offence, so that
they leave the storming of the ruins of the convent to those thus
placed, as they say, in the post of honour. These feelings, in such
minds--however proper the proceedings may have been in a military point
of view--I cannot prevent or remove. Time, provisions, and money, are
wasting in inaction. The enemy is concentrating troops and fortifying
positions around Athens, each of which positions will be a pretext for
delay; even were I not aware that abundant excuses of other kinds will
not be wanting--such as the arrival of a few hundred cavalry from
Negropont or the like; so that I really begin to despair of one step
being made in advance for the relief of the Acropolis. I know the
difficulties of your situation, and I fear that they are more than even
your energy can surmount. When you shall have done your utmost towards
the end we have in view, I shall make one effort for the safety of the
unfortunate women and children who are threatened with immediate
destruction or perpetual slavery. Pray let me have a decisive reply as
to what is to be done, and when."

General Church's reply is instructive. "I have read your letter with
great attention," he wrote, "and fully enter into your view of affairs.
The Hydriots are unquestionably the best to storm, if anybody will
storm. The soldiers that they say have taken their post were placed to
co-operate in a general assault, and I had made an arrangement with a
chief who certainly displayed considerable courage the other day. I gave
him directions to co