I Acknowledge the fresh Proof you give me of Old Friendship, in congratulating my Return; and, as you require an Account of the Residue of my Embassy, and what Occurrences have happened since my last to you, I will remember my Promise to you, and never disoblige so choice a Friend. Take them all in a Medley together, what comes next into my Head, as my Memory suggests things more, or less serious. My beginning is upon the mournful; it is this. I was scarce settled in my Mind, which was troubled for _Bajazet_’s Misfortunes and Death, when, lo! I was struck with another Message as sorrowful as the former. We were all in great Expectation of the Success of the _Turkish_ Fleet, which sailed toward the Isle of _Meninge_, (now called _Gerse_,) upon News that the _Spaniards_ had prevailed there. For _Solyman_ (being assured that Island was taken by the _Christians_, and that they had added new Fortifications to the old Castle therein, in which they had yet a very strong Garrison,) could not endure to be thus check’d in the midst of all the Prosperities of his flourishing Empire. Hereupon he equipp’d a Navy with Auxiliaries to relieve those that were _Mahometans_ like himself; and made _Pihal Bassa_ Commander of his Fleet. He furnish’d his Ships with a select Company of Soldiers, and yet was doubtful of the Event; because the Voyage was long, and they were to engage with a formidable Enemy. For you may please to be inform’d, that the _Turks_, for a long time, have had a great Opinion of the Valour of the _Spaniards_, as knowing that they have waged great Wars, and came off with good Success. They had heard of the Emperor _Charles_, and of his Son _Philip_, the Heir of his Valour, as well as of his Kingdoms. The Report of his Power made the _Turks_ very solicitous; so that those that went the Voyage, made their last Wills, as if they were never to return to _Constantinople_ again. Thus the whole City, both those that went, and those that staid at Home, was filled with Anxiety. But, alas! their Fleet sailed with a prosperous Gale, and came upon the _Christians_ unawares; which struck such a Terror into them, that they knew not how to fight or fly: Some nimble Vessels made their Escape; the rest were either taken by the Enemy, or split and dash’d in pieces on the Sands. The Duke of _Medina_ the General, and _John Andrea Doria_ the Admiral, fled to the Castle, from whence they escap’d in a dark Night, undiscovered, through the Enemy’s Fleet to _Sicily_.