CHAPTER V.

News from the Morea-Lord Byron indisposed-Communication from the islands-Anxiety at Cephalonia respecting Lord Byron-He receives proposals from Sessini of Gastouni, and from Colocotroni - Also from Parucca on the part of Pietro Bey-His letter to Parucca-His view of the politics of Greece-Alarm of the plague-Offer from the government to appoint Lord Byron Governor-General of continental Greece -His reply-A public meeting at Missolonghi-Departure of Messrs. Finlay and Humphreys for Athens, with despatches from Lord Byron-Their interruption by the way-News of the conclusion of the Greek loan —Punishment of an artillery-man-Discipline of that corps-Lord Byron presented with the citizenship of Missolonghi Distress of the government.

March 1.-THIS day we received news from the Morea. The government addressed letters to Lord Byron of the same tenor with the last. A A young Irishman, Mr. Winter, arrived from Italy, bringing with him letters and many newspapers.

He was entered upon our list for the artillery brigade.

Lord Byron was indisposed. He complained to me that he was often attacked by vertigos, which made him feel as if intoxicated. He had also very disagreeable nervous sensations, which he said resembled the feeling of fear, although he knew there was no cause of alarm. The weather got worse, and he could not ride on horseback.

March 2.-Messrs. Hodges and Fawkes, who had been sent to the Ionian Islands, returned, having procured what was wanted. They brought us intelligence that the conduct of the Suliotes had excited a general indignation at Cephalonia, and that the consequence had been the withdrawing the succours afforded to their families in that island. We learnt also that the greatest

anxiety prevailed amongst all the English respecting my Lord's health; and that Dr. Kennedy had been specially employed to write to Dr. Bruno for the purpose of making minute inquiry as to the fit with which Lord Byron had been assailed in February, as also in order to give such medical advice as might be expedient. Several correspondents wrote to Lord Byron also, praying him to return to Cephalonia and take care of his health; but these entreaties produced just the contrary effect, for in proportion as Byron thought his position more perilous, he the more resolved upon remaining where he was.

March 3.-Lord Byron was a little better, and was in good spirits. He not unfrequently diverted himself in the evening with playing off some pleasantry on some one of those about him. One of the En

glishmen had been much alarmed at the earthquake, and had continual apprehensions of its return. Byron conceived a scheme for frightening him, and accordingly we rolled some barrels full of cannon-balls in the room above us, which completely succeeded, and terrified our companion as much as he had been at the real earthquake.

I should mention, that amongst our other disagreeable employments might be reckoned that of preventing duels between our German friends, who gave no better example of concord than our Suliote allies.

March 8.—We were occupied for some

days as usual in visiting the fortifications, particularly at Basiladi, and in providing for their repairs. About this time, also, Sessini, who had for some months been

master of the district about Gastouni, had recourse to Lord Byron to settle his differences with the government. Lord Byron consented to act as mediator, but he required, as proof of that chief's sincerity, that he should surrender the fortress of Chiarenza into the hands of the govern

ment.

We now learnt, that as soon as the Greeks of Arta had heard that the Suliotes were in march towards them, they had immediately sent to them, saying, that if their intention was to assist them in a permanent effort at gaining their independence, they would assist them with all their means; but that if the Suliotes had no other object than to obtain plunder, and then to leave them a prey to the vengeance of the Turks, the Greeks of Arta would resist to the utmost any such enterprise upon their town.