WHEN I was a little refreshed by rest, and some milk and exquisite fruit they brought me, I went up the little hill where once stood the castle of Byrsa, and from thence I had a distinct view of the situation of the famous city of Carthage, which stood on an isthmus, the sea coming on each side of it.  ’Tis now a marshy ground on one side, where there are salt ponds.  Strabo calls Carthage forty miles in circumference.  There are now no remains of it, but what I have described; and the history of it is too well known to want my abridgement of it.  You see, Sir, that I think you esteem obedience better than compliments.  I have answered your letter by giving you the accounts you desired, and have reserved my thanks to the conclusion.  I intend to leave this place to-morrow, and continue my journey through Italy and France.  In one of those places I hope to tell you, by word of mouth, that I am, Your humble servant, &c. &c.

LET.  XLV

TO THE COUNTESS OF ——.

Genoa, Aug. 28.  O. S. 1718

I BEG your pardon, my dear sister, that I did not write to you from Tunis, the only opportunity I have had since I left Constantinople.  But the heat there was so excessive, and the light so bad for the sight, I was half blind by writing one letter to the Abbot ——­, and durst not go to write many others I had designed; nor indeed could I have entertained you very well out of that barbarous country.  I am now surrounded with subjects of pleasure, and so much charmed with the beauties of Italy, that I should think it a kind of ingratitude not to offer a little praise in return for the diversion I have had here.—­I am in the house of Mrs D’Avenant at St Pierre d’Arena, and should be very unjust not to allow her a share of that praise I speak of, since her good humour and good company have very much contributed to render this place agreeable to me.

GENOA is situated in a very fine bay; and being built on a rising hill, extermixed (sic) with gardens, and beautified with the most excellent architecture, gives a very fine prospect off at sea; though it lost much of its beauty in my eyes, having been accustomed to that of Constantinople.  The Genoese were once masters of several islands in the Archipelago, and all that part of Constantinople which is now called Galata.  Their betraying the Christian cause, by facilitating the taking of Constantinople by the Turk, deserved what has since happened to them, even the loss of all their conquests on that side to those infidels.  They are at present far from rich, and are despised by the French, since their doge was forced by the late king to go in person to Paris, to ask pardon for such a trifle as the arms of France over the house of the envoy, being spattered with dung in the night.  This, I suppose, was done by some of the Spanish faction, which still makes up the majority here, though they dare not openly declare it.