“I have been interrupted by the arrival of Parry and afterwards by the return of Hesketh, who has not brought an answer to my epistles, which rather surprises me.  You will write soon, I suppose.  Parry seems a fine rough subject, but will hardly be ready for the field these three weeks; he and I will (I think) be able to draw together,—­at least, I will not interfere with or contradict him in his own department.  He complains grievously of the mercantile and enthusymusy part of the Committee, but greatly praises Gordon and Hume.  Gordon would have given three or four thousand pounds and come out himself, but Kennedy or somebody else disgusted him, and thus they have spoiled part of their subscription and cramped their operations.  Parry says B——­ is a humbug, to which I say nothing.  He sorely laments the printing and civilising expenses, and wishes that there was not a Sunday-school in the world, or any school here at present, save and except always an academy for artilleryship.

“He complained also of the cold, a little to my surprise; firstly, because, there being no chimneys, I have used myself to do without other warmth than the animal heat and one’s cloak, in these parts; and, secondly, because I should as soon have expected to hear a volcano sneeze, as a firemaster (who is to burn a whole fleet) exclaim against the atmosphere.  I fully expected that his very approach would have scorched up the town like the burning-glasses of Archimedes.

“Well, it seems that I am to be Commander-in-Chief, and the post is by no means a sinecure, for we are not what Major Sturgeon calls ’a set of the most amicable officers.’  Whether we shall have ’a boxing bout between Captain Sheers and the Colonel,’ I cannot tell; but, between Suliote chiefs, German barons, English volunteers, and adventurers of all nations, we are likely to form as goodly an allied army as ever quarrelled beneath the same banner.

“February 8. 1824.

“Interrupted again by business yesterday, and it is time to conclude my letter.  I drew some time since on Mr. Barff for a thousand dollars, to complete some money wanted by the Government.  The said Government got cash on that bill here, and at a profit; but the very same fellow who gave it to them, after proposing to give me money for other bills on Barff to the amount of thirteen hundred dollars, either could not, or thought better of it.  I had written to Barff advising him, but had afterwards to write to tell him of the fellow’s having not come up to time.  You must really send me the balance soon.  I have the artillerists and my Suliotes to pay, and Heaven knows what besides; and as every thing depends upon punctuality, all our operations will be at a standstill unless you use despatch.  I shall send to Mr. Barff or to you further bills on England for three thousand pounds, to be negotiated as speedily as you can.  I have already stated here and formerly the sums I can command at home within the year,—­without including my credits, or the bills already negotiated or negotiating, as Corgialegno’s balance of Mr. Webb’s letter,—­and my letters from my friends (received by Mr. Parry’s vessel) confirm what I have already stated.  How much I may require in the course of the year I can’t tell, but I will take care that it shall not exceed the means to supply it.  Yours ever, N.B.