THE government here is entirely in the hands of the army, the grand signior, with all his absolute power, is as much a slave as any of his subjects, and trembles at a janizary’s frown.  Here is, indeed, a much greater appearance of subjection than amongst us; a minister of state is not spoke to, but upon the knee:  should a reflection on his conduct be dropt (sic) in a coffee-house (for they have spies every where) the house would be raz’d (sic) to the ground, and perhaps the whole company put to the torture.  No huzzaing mobs, senseless pamphlets, and tavern disputes about politics;

A consequential ill that freedom draws;
A bad effect,—­but from a noble cause.

None of our harmless calling names! but when a minister here displeases the people, in three hours time he is dragged even from his master’s arms.  They cut off hands, head, and feet, and throw them before the palace gate, with all the respect in the world; while the sultan (to whom they all profess an unlimited adoration) sits trembling in his apartment, and dare neither defend nor revenge his favourite.  This is the blessed condition of the most absolute monarch upon earth, who o——­ no l——­ but his will. [Editor’s note:  Two words are unreadable due to damage to the book which may have occurred at the time of printing.  It seems probable that the sentence should end “.. who owns no limit but his will.".]

I CANNOT help wishing, in the loyality (sic) of my heart, that the parliament would send hither a ship-load of young passive obedient men, that they might see arbitrary government in its clearest, and strongest light, where ’tis hard to judge, whether the prince, people, or ministers, are most miserable.  I could make many reflections on this subject; but I know, madam, your own good sense has already furnished you with better than I am capable of.

I WENT yesterday along with the French ambassadress to see the grand signior in his passage to the mosque.  He was preceded by a numerous guard of janizaries, with vast white feathers on their heads, as also by the spahis and bostangees, (these are foot and horse guards) and the royal gardeners, which are a very considerable body of men, dressed in different habits of fine lively colours, so that at a distance, they appeared like a parterre of tulips.  After them the aga of the janizaries, in a robe of purple velvet, lined with silver tissue, his horse led by two slaves richly dressed.  Next him the kyzlier-aga (your ladyship knows, this is the chief guardian of the seraglio ladies) in a deep yellow cloth (which suited very well to his black face) lined with sables.  Last came his sublimity himself, arrayed in green, lined with the fur of a black Moscovite fox, which is supposed worth a thousand pounds sterling, and mounted on a fine horse, with furniture embroidered with jewels.  Six more horses richly caparisoned were led after him; and two of his principal courtiers bore, one