able to gratify himself.  Not many days after his arrival an opportunity, as we have seen, had been afforded him of rescuing an unfortunate Turk out of the hands of some Greek sailors; and, towards the end of the month, having learned that there were a few Turkish prisoners in confinement at Missolonghi, he requested of the Government to place them at his disposal, that he might send them to Yussuff Pacha.  In performing this act of humane policy, he transmitted with the rescued captives the following letter:—­

LETTER 541.

TO HIS HIGHNESS YUSSUFF PACHA.

“Missolonghi, January 23. 1824.

“Highness!

“A vessel, in which a friend and some domestics of mine were embarked, was detained a few days ago, and released by order of your Highness.  I have now to thank you; not for liberating the vessel, which, as carrying a neutral flag, and being under British protection, no one had a right to detain; but for having treated my friends with so much kindness while they were in your hands.

“In the hope, therefore, that it may not be altogether displeasing to your Highness, I have requested the governor of this place to release four Turkish prisoners, and he has humanely consented to do so.  I lose no time, therefore, in sending them back, in order to make as early a return as I could for your courtesy on the late occasion.  These prisoners are liberated without any conditions:  but should the circumstance find a place in your recollection, I venture to beg, that your Highness will treat such Greeks as may henceforth fall into your hands with humanity; more especially since the horrors of war are sufficiently great in themselves, without being aggravated by wanton cruelties on either side.  NOEL BYRON.”

Another favourite and, as it appeared for some time, practicable object, on which he had most ardently set his heart, was the intended attack upon Lepanto—­a fortified town[1] which, from its command of the navigation of the Gulf of Corinth, is a position of the first importance.  “Lord Byron,” says Colonel Stanhope, in a letter dated January 14., “burns with military ardour and chivalry, and will accompany the expedition to Lepanto.”  The delay of Parry, the engineer, who had been for some months anxiously expected with the supplies necessary for the formation of a brigade of artillery, had hitherto paralysed the preparations for this important enterprise; though, in the mean time, whatever little could be effected, without his aid, had been put in progress both by the appointment of a brigade of Suliotes to act under Lord Byron, and by the formation, at the joint expense of his Lordship and Colonel Stanhope, of a small corps of artillery.

[Footnote 1:  The ancient Naupactus, called Epacto by the modern Greeks, and Lepauto by the Italians.]

It was towards the latter end of January, as we have seen, that Lord Byron received his regular commission from the Government, as Commander of the expedition.  In conferring upon him full powers, both civil and military, they appointed, at the same time, a Military Council to accompany him, composed of the most experienced Chieftains of the army, with Nota Bozzari, the uncle of the famous warrior, at their head.