Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 55
the same source. In each adverse trial they express themselves bysaying
—" it is the will of Heaven."
On the subject of fortifications, they have an ancient proverb
which says, that " it belongs to infidels to build, and to Mussul-
" men to cake them." This, like all other proverbial sayings, had
once a ground for its' support, but by no means applies to the pre-
sent condition of the Turkish empire, and to its relative situation
with the neighbouring Christian powers.
On the 12th, in the morning, our artificers embarked on board,
the transport •, and on that day a Russian fleet bound to Naples,
with troops on board, destined to form the body guard of his Neapolitan
majesty, anchored in the harbour. On board this fleet were
two Englishmen, one a
surgeon, the other a lieutenant, who had
been some years in the service of Russia.
On the 1 3th, on my return from Chi/lick and Galata, and after
having paid a visit to the imperial palace, I went on board the transport
to see the convalescents. Orders were given for the detachment
of to
artillery quit Chijiick on the
following day, and to march to
Buyukdere. In the evening the officers of the mission were present
at a ball and supper given at the Russian palace, in compliment
to the general of that nation, who commanded the troops destined
for Naples.
On the 15th the detachment arrived at Buyukdere from Chiflick,
and on the 16th I rode to Belgrade, and returned to Buyukdere
: for several days past much rain had fallen. I brought home
with me some of the air of Belgrade to examine. The situation
of that place is delightfully rural, but subject to intermittent com-
plaints, occasioned by the marsh miasma, exhaled from a valley in
its vicinity. The house of the British minister stands on a
higher
ground than the other buildings, and is consequently the most
agreeable, as well as the most salubrious residence in the village.
On the 17th, orders were received at Buyukdere to embark the
whole of the detachment on the following Sunday for the Darda-
nelles.
On the J. 9th, in the evening, we had a storm of thunder and
lightning, attended by occasional showers.
On the 21st, in the I morning, left Buyukdere with the de-
tachment, which was, without loss of time, embarked on board
the transport.
The wind being foul, so as to detain the transport in the har-
bour, I had sufficient leisure, during the two succeeding days, to
visit all my friends and connections, and to take leave.