"When the proper moment to be of some use arrived, I came here; and am told that my arrival (with some other circumstances) _has_ been of, at least, temporary advantage to the cause. I had a narrow escape from the Turks, and another from Shipwreck on my passage. On the 15th (or 16th) of February I had an attack of apoplexy, or epilepsy,--the physicians have not exactly decided which, but the alternative is agreeable. My constitution, therefore, remains between the two opinions, like Mahomet's sarcophagus between the magnets. All that I can say is, that they nearly bled me to death, by placing the leeches too near the temporal artery, so that the blood could with difficulty be stopped, even with caustic, I am supposed to be getting better, slowly, however. But my homilies will, I presume, for the future, be like the Archbishop of Grenada's--in this case, 'I order you a hundred ducats from my treasurer, and wish you a little more taste.' "For public matters I refer you to Colonel Stanhope's and Capt. Parry's reports,--and to all other reports whatsoever. There is plenty to do--war without, and tumult within--they 'kill a man a week,' like Bob Acres in the country. Parry's artificers have gone away in alarm, on account of a dispute in which some of the natives and foreigners were engaged, and a Swede was killed, and a Suliote wounded. In the middle of their fright there was a strong shock of an earthquake; so, between that and the sword, they boomed off in a hurry, in despite of all dissuasions to the contrary. A Turkish brig run ashore, &c. &c. &c.[1] [Footnote 1: What I have omitted here is but a repetition of the various particulars, respecting all that had happened since his arrival, which have already been given in the letters to his other correspondents.] "You, I presume, are either publishing or meditating that same. Let me hear from and of you, and believe me, in all events, "Ever and affectionately yours, "N. B. "P.S. Tell Mr. Murray that I wrote to him the other day, and hope that he has received, or will receive, the letter." LETTER 549. TO DR. KENNEDY. "Missolonghi, March 4. 1824. "My dear Doctor, "I have to thank you for your two very kind letters, both received at the same time, and one long after its date. I am not unaware of the precarious state of my health, nor am, nor have been, deceived on that subject. But it is proper that I should remain in Greece; and it were better to die doing something than nothing. My presence here has been supposed so far useful as to have prevented confusion from becoming worse confounded, at least for the present. Should I become, or be deemed useless or superfluous, I am ready to retire; but in the interim I am not to consider personal consequences; the rest is in the hands of Providence,--as indeed are all things. I shall, however, observe your instructions, and indeed did so, as far as regards abstinence, for some time past.