"Missolonghi, March 10. 1824.
"Sir,
"I sent by Mr. J.M. Hodges a bill drawn on Signer C. Jerostatti for
three hundred and eighty-six pounds, on account of the Hon. the Greek
Committee, for carrying on the service at this place. But Count
Delladecima sent no more than two hundred dollars until he should
receive instructions from C. Jerostatti. Therefore I am obliged to
advance that sum to prevent a positive stop being put to the
Laboratory service at this place, &c. &c.
"I beg you will mention this business to Count Delladecima, who has
the draft and every account, and that Mr. Barff, in conjunction with
yourself, will endeavour to arrange this money account, and, when
received, forward the same to Missolonghi.
"I am, Sir, yours very truly.
"So far is written by Captain Parry; but I see that I must continue
the letter myself. I understand little or nothing of the business,
saving and except that, like most of the present affairs here, it
will be at a stand-still if monies be not advanced, and there are few
here so disposed; so that I must take the chance, as usual.
"You will see what can be done with Delladecima and Jerostatti, and
remit the sum, that we may have some quiet; for the Committee have
somehow embroiled their matters, or chosen Greek correspondents more
Grecian than ever the Greeks are wont to be.
"Yours ever, NL. BN.
"P.S. A thousand thanks to Muir for his cauliflower, the finest I
ever saw or tasted, and, I believe, the largest that ever grew out of
Paradise, or Scotland. I have written to quiet Dr. Kennedy about the
newspaper (with which I have nothing to do as a writer, please to
recollect and say). I told the fools of conductors that their motto
would play the devil; but, like all mountebanks, they persisted.
Gamba, who is any thing but _lucky_, had something to do with it;
and, as usual, the moment he had, matters went wrong. [1] It will be
better, perhaps, in time. But I write in haste, and have only time to
say, before the boat sails, that I am ever
"Yours, N. BN.
[Footnote 1: He had a notion that Count Gamba was destined to be
unfortunate,--that he was one of those ill-starred persons with whom
every thing goes wrong. In speaking of this newspaper to Parry, he
said, "I have subscribed to it to get rid of importunity, and, it may
be, keep Gamba out of mischief. At any rate, he can mar nothing that
is of less importance."]
"P.S. Mr. Findlay is here, and has received his money."