“’Tis also very pleasant to observe how tenderly he and all his brethren voyage-writers lament the miserable confinement of the Turkish ladies, who are perhaps freer than any ladies in the universe, and are the only women in the world that lead a life of uninterrupted pleasure exempt from cares; their whole time being spent in visiting, bathing, or the agreeable amusement of spending money, and inventing new fashions.  A husband would be thought mad that exacted any degree of economy from his wife, whose expenses are no way limited but by her own fancy.  ’Tis his business to get money, and hers to spend it:  and this noble prerogative extends itself to the very meanest of the sex.  Here is a fellow that carries embroidered handkerchiefs upon his back to sell, as miserable a figure as you may suppose such a mean dealer, yet I’ll assure you his wife scorns to wear anything less than cloth of gold; has her ermine furs, and a very handsome set of jewels for her head.  They go abroad when and where they please.  Tis true they have no public places but the bagnios, and there can only be seen by their own sex; however, that is a diversion they take great pleasure in.”

In the meantime, Montagu’s conduct of affairs was much criticised at home, and Lord Stanhope’s Administration, which had come into power in April, 1717, decided to recall him.  This invidious task fell upon his old friend Addison, now Secretary of State for the Southern Department.  The recall was notified to those concerned in a circular letter dated October 13.  Addison, in a private letter dated September 28, notified him of the impending change: 

“Having been confined to my chamber for some time by a dangerous fit of sickness, I find, upon my coming abroad, some things have passed which I think myself obliged to communicate to you, not as the Secretary to the Ambassador, but as an humble servant to his friend....  Our great men are of opinion that your being possessed [of the reversion of certain places] (which they look upon as sure and sudden) it would be agreeable to your inclinations, as well as for the King’s service, which you are so able to promote in Parliament, rather to return to your own country than to live at Constantinople.  For this reason, they have thought of relieving Mr. Stanyan, who is now at the Imperial Court, and of joining Sir Robert Sutton with him in the mediation of a peace between the Emperor and the Turks.  I need not suggest to you that Mr. Stanyan is in great favour at Vienna, and how necessary it is to humour that Court in the present juncture.  Besides, as it would have been for your honour to have acted as sole mediator in such a negotiation, perhaps it would not have been so agreeable to you to act only in commission.  This was suggested to me the other day by one of our first ministers, who told me that he believed Sir R. Sutton’s being joined in a mediation, which was carried on by my Lord Paget singly, would be shocking to you, but that they could be more free with a person