The Porte having given a decisive answer, relative to the frigates which were brought to Constantinople to be sold, we shall sail for Gibraltar immediately. We have been detained here much longer than we expected, but the hospitality and munificence of Sir Robert Ainslie, have amply compensated this delay; and it is with the greatest regret, that I see myself on the eve of leaving his society, and of quitting a place where the hearts of every one seem to wish to detain us. Nothing could exceed the animation of the Turks at the moment of our arrival at this capital. The King of Sweden had relieved the Porte from a great part of the force of the Russians, and the accounts of the glorious victories of Meadia and Caransebes, obtained over the Emperor, were confirmed and increased by the hundreds of prisoners who were daily brought in. So complete a panic pervaded the Imperial troops, that on an alarm of the enemy's approach, the heavy baggage, which had been sent on towards Temeswar, was immediately abandoned, and a great part of it pillaged, and carried off by a corps of Partisans. But at this moment, when victory, with extended wings, was following the Ottoman arms, and when each day brought them fresh advantages, the Grand Vizir suddenly halted, and then turned to the left. It was still hoped, however, that his operations would continue offensive; but probably reflecting on the danger of not finding subsistance for so immense an army, during the approaching winter, should he pursue the Emperor into the heart of his country, and that the Imperial armies from Transylvania and Moldavia might come down and cut him off from the Danube, he had determined not to lose sight of the banks of that river; and that, instead of pursuing the Emperor at random, wherever he chose to lead him, he had resolved to secure the conquests he had made, which would enable him to winter with safety in the enemy's country. This opinion was, for some time, strengthened by his subsequent movements; he left a strong garrison in Meadia, and his march was directed through the Bannat of Temeswar, and pointed immediately at Semlin, which, had he taken, would have secured the left flank of the chain of posts, by which it was supposed he would have inclosed the Bannat. All his motions most strongly indicated an attempt upon that fortress, and, as there was no doubt of his succeeding, the inhabitants fled with all their effects. A corps of 3000 men, who were encamped under its walls, to watch the motions of the garrison of Belgrade, retired on his approach. He had been unopposed for six weeks, and his conduct at Illova had given the Emperor so formidable an impression of his vigour and abilities, that his Majesty had gone in person as far as Arad, to put that place in a state of defence.