“As there would be no time to send me letters here in reply to this, write to me addressed British Legation, Athens--that is, taking for granted that I shall start on Saturday next.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Trieste, _June_ 4, 1870. “I have looked out anxiously for a note from you these last couple of days. I hope you got my telegram safely. Yesterday I received a telegraphic despatch from F. O. saying my ‘leave was granted,’ and I sail now in two hours. If I find that my heart disturbance--which has been very severe the last couple of days--increases on me, I shall stop at Corfu and get back again at my leisure. I do not know if there is much to be learned at Athens that Erskine has not either gleaned or _muddled_, but I will try and ascertain where the infamy began. “I used once to think that the most sorrowful part of leaving home was the sad heart I left behind me. I know now that there is something worse than that--it is to carry away the sadness of a desolate heart with me. “I believe the post leaves Athens for the Continent on Saturdays: if so, and that I arrive safely on Thursday 9th, I shall write to you by that mail. “My affectionate remembrances to Mrs Blackwood.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Athens, Hôtel d’Angleterre, _June_ 9,1870. “Here I am, in poor Vyner’s quarters: but short as the time is since my arrival, it has taught me that there is nothing, or next to nothing, to be learned. The amount of lying here beats Banagher--indeed all Ireland. However, I will try and make a _résumé_ of the question that will be readable and, if I can, interesting. “I am a good deal fagged, but not worse for my journey, and, on the whole, stronger than when I started. “I thought I should have had some letter from you here, but possibly there has not been time. “If Lord Carnarvon knew of my direct source of information it would be of great use; for the Legation and Finlay, whom I have seen, are simply men defending a thesis, and so far not to be relied on.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Athens, June 17,1870. “I send you a hurried line to catch F. O. messenger, who is just leaving. I want merely to say that I have got together a considerable number of facts about brigandage altogether, and the late misfortune in particular, and only wait till I get back to put them into shape. Keep me a corner, then, not for next No. but August, and I hope I shall send something readable. “I have met much courtesy and civility here, but I am dying to get home. My palpitations still trouble me, and if I don’t actually faint, I suppose it is that I don’t know how. “I have been anxiously looking out for letters from you, and now I am off to Corinth, and shall work my way back through the islands.