most high rank, high honour, very rich, except two or three most good, very kind to inferior peoples.  This very good.  I go to see Chelsea.  All old men sit on grass in shade of fine tree, fine river run by, beautiful place, plenty to eat, drink, good coat, everything very good.  Sir Gore he tell me King Charles and King Jame.  I say Sir Gore, They not Musselman, but I think God love them very much.  I think God he love the King very well for keeping up that charity.  Then I see one small regiment of children go to dinner, one small boy he say thanks to God for eat, for drink, for clothes, other little boys they all answer Amen.  Then I cry a little, my heart too much pleased.  This all very good for two things—­one thing, God very much please; two things, soldiers fight much better, because see their good King take care of old wounded fathers and little children.  Then I go to Greenwich, that too good place, such a fine sight make me a little sick for joy.  All old men so happy, eat dinner, so well, fine house, fine beds—­all very good.  This very good country.  English ladies very handsome, very beautiful.  I travel great deal.  I go Arabia, I go Calcutta, Hyderabad, Poonah, Bombay, Georgia, Armenia, Constantinople, Malta, Gibraltar.  I see best Georgia, Circassian, Turkish, Greek ladies, but nothing not so beautiful as English ladies, all very clever, speak French, speak English, speak Italian, play music very well, sing very good.  Very glad for me if Persian ladies like them.  But English ladies speak such sweet words.  I think tell a little story—­that not very good.

One thing more I see but I not understand that thing good or bad.  Last Thursday I see some fine horses, fine carriages, thousand people go to look that carriages.  I ask why for?  They say me, that gentleman on boxes they drive their own carriages.  I say why for take so much trouble?  They say me he drive very well; that very good thing.  It rain very hard, some lord some gentleman he get very wet.  I say why he not go inside?  They tell me good coachman not mind get wet every day, will be much ashamed if go inside; that I not understand.

Sir, my Lord, good-night,

ABUL HASSAN.

Mr. Murray invariably consulted Mr. Barrow as to any works on voyages or travels he was required to publish, and found him a faithful adviser.  The following expression of opinion, from one with so large an experience, is interesting: 

Mr. J. Barrow to John Murray.

March 28, 1823.

“I need not tell you that caprice rather than merit governs the sale of a work.  If instances are wanting, I might quote those of Belzoni and Hamilton. [Footnote:  This reference probably refers to Walter Hamilton’s “Description of Hindostan and adjacent Countries,” published a few years before.] The first absolute trumpery when put in competition with the second; yet the former, I believe, sold about ten times the number of the latter.”