“Byron, Ioannina in Albania. 
Begun October 31st, 1809;
Concluded Canto 2d, Smyrna,

          March 28th. 1810.

“BYRON.”

From Smyrna the only letter, at all interesting, which I am enabled to present to the reader, is the following:—­

LETTER 41.

TO MRS. BYRON.

“Smyrna, March 19. 1810.

“Dear Mother,

“I cannot write you a long letter; but as I know you will not be sorry to receive any intelligence of my movements, pray accept what I can give.  I have traversed the greatest part of Greece, besides Epirus, &c. &c., resided ten weeks at Athens, and am now on the Asiatic side on my way to Constantinople.  I have just returned from viewing the ruins of Ephesus, a day’s journey from Smyrna.  I presume you have received a long letter I wrote from Albania, with an account of my reception by the Pacha of the province.

“When I arrive at Constantinople, I shall determine whether to proceed into Persia or return, which latter I do not wish, if I can avoid it.  But I have no intelligence from Mr. H——­, and but one letter from yourself.  I shall stand in need of remittances whether I proceed or return.  I have written to him repeatedly, that he may not plead ignorance of my situation for neglect.  I can give you no account of any thing, for I have not time or opportunity, the frigate sailing immediately.  Indeed the further I go the more my laziness increases, and my aversion to letter-writing becomes more confirmed.  I have written to no one but to yourself and Mr. H——­, and these are communications of business and duty rather than of inclination.

“F——­ is very much disgusted with his fatigues, though he has undergone nothing that I have not shared.  He is a poor creature; indeed English servants are detestable travellers.  I have, besides him, two Albanian soldiers and a Greek interpreter; all excellent in their way.  Greece, particularly in the vicinity of Athens, is delightful,—­cloudless skies and lovely landscapes.  But I must reserve all account of my adventures till we meet.  I keep no journal, but my friend H. writes incessantly.  Pray take care of Murray and Robert, and tell the boy it is the most fortunate thing for him that he did not accompany me to Turkey.  Consider this as merely a notice of my safety, and believe me,

yours, &c. &c.

“BYRON.”

On the 11th of April he left Smyrna in the Salsette frigate, which had been ordered to Constantinople, for the purpose of conveying the ambassador, Mr. Adair, to England, and, after an exploratory visit to the ruins of Troas, arrived, at the beginning of the following month, in the Dardanelles.—­While the frigate was at anchor in these straits, the following letters to his friends Mr. Drury and Mr. Hodgson were written.

LETTER 42.