CHILDE HAROLD, Canto II.
]

[Footnote 127:  In the shape of the hands, as a mark of high birth, Lord Byron himself had as implicit faith as the Pacha:  see his note on the line, “Though on more thorough-bred or fairer fingers,” in Don Juan.]

[Footnote 128:  A few sentences are here and elsewhere omitted, as having no reference to Lord Byron himself, but merely containing some particulars relating to Ali and his grandsons, which may be found in various books of travels.

Ali had not forgotten his noble guest when Dr. Holland, a few years after, visited Albania:—­“I mentioned to him, generally (says this intelligent traveller), Lord Byron’s poetical description of Albania, the interest it had excited in England, and Mr. Hobhouse’s intended publication of his travels in the same country.  He seemed pleased with these circumstances, and stated his recollections of Lord Byron.”]

[Footnote 129:  I have heard the poet’s fellow-traveller describe this remarkable instance of his coolness and courage even still more strikingly than it is here stated by himself.  Finding that, from his lameness, he was unable to be of any service in the exertions which their very serious danger called for, after a laugh or two at the panic of his valet, he not only wrapped himself up and lay down, in the manner here mentioned, but, when their difficulties were surmounted, was found fast asleep.]

[Footnote 130:  In the route from Ioannina to Zitza, Mr. Hobhouse and the secretary of Ali, accompanied by one of the servants, had rode on before the rest of the party, and arrived at the village just as the evening set in.  After describing the sort of hovel in which they were to take up their quarters for the night, Mr. Hobhouse thus continues:—­“Vasilly was despatched into the village to procure eggs and fowls, that would be ready, as we thought, by the arrival of the second party.  But an hour passed away and no one appeared.  It was seven o’clock, and the storm had increased to a fury I had never before, and, indeed, have never since, seen equalled.  The roof of our hovel shook under the clattering torrents and gusts of wind.  The thunder roared, as it seemed, without any intermission; for the echoes of one peal had not ceased to roll in the mountains, before another tremendous crash burst over our heads; whilst the plains and the distant hills (visible through the cracks of the cabin) appeared in a perpetual blaze.  The tempest was altogether terrific, and worthy of the Grecian Jove; and the peasants, no less religious than their ancestors, confessed their alarm.  The women wept, and the men, calling on the name of God, crossed themselves at every repeated peal.

“We were very uneasy that the party did not arrive; but the secretary assured me that the guides knew every part of the country, as did also his own servant, who was with them, and that they had certainly taken shelter in a village at an hour’s distance.  Not being satisfied with the conjecture, I ordered fires to be lighted on the hill above the village, and some muskets to be discharged:  this was at eleven o’clock, and the storm had not abated.  I lay down in my great coat; but all sleeping was out of the question, as any pauses in the tempest were filled up by the barking of the dogs, and the shouting of the shepherds in the neighbouring mountains.