"I hope that the deputies have arrived, as well as some of my various despatches (chiefly addressed to Mr. Hobhouse) for the Committee. Colonel Napier will tell you the recent special interposition of the gods, in behalf of the Greeks--who seem to have no enemies in heaven or on earth to be dreaded but their own tendency to discord amongst themselves. But these, too, it is to be hoped, will be mitigated, and then we can take the field on the offensive, instead of being reduced to the _petite guerre_ of defending the same fortresses year after year, and taking a few ships, and starving out a castle, and making more fuss about them than Alexander in his cups, or Buonaparte in a bulletin. Our friends have done something in the way of the _Spartans_--(though not one tenth of what is told)--but have not yet inherited _their_ style. "Believe me yours," &c. LETTER 530 TO MR. BOWRING. "October 13. 1823. "Since I wrote to you on the 10th instant, the long-desired squadron has arrived in the waters of Missolonghi and intercepted two Turkish corvettes--ditto transports--destroying or taking all four--except some of the crews escaped on shore in Ithaca--and an unarmed vessel, with passengers, chased into a port on the opposite side of Cephalonia. The Greeks had fourteen sail, the Turks _four_--but the odds don't matter--the victory will make a very good _puff_, and be of some advantage besides. I expect momentarily advices from Prince Mavrocordato, who is on board, and has (I understand) despatches from the Legislative for me; in consequence of which, after paying the squadron, (for which I have prepared, and am preparing,) I shall probably join him at sea or on shore. "I add the above communication to my letter by Col. Napier, who will inform the Committee of every thing in detail much better than I can do. "The mathematical, medical, and musical preparations of the Committee have arrived, and in good condition, abating some damage from wet, and some ditto from a portion of the letter-press being spilt in landing--(I ought not to have omitted the press--but forgot it a moment--excuse the same)--they are excellent of their kind, but till we have an engineer and a trumpeter (we have chirurgeons already) mere 'pearls to swine,' as the Greeks are quite ignorant of mathematics, and have a bad ear for _our_ music. The maps, &c. I will put into use for them, and take care that _all_ (with proper caution) are turned to the intended uses of the Committee--but I refer you to Colonel Napier, who will tell you, that much of your really valuable supplies should be removed till proper persons arrive to adapt them to actual service. "Believe me, my dear Sir, to be, &c.