Private letters from Constantinople, which have reached us to the
18th November, supply some local gossip, out of which we pick a few ex- tracts.
"The English are very popular here now, and no contempt is expressed at sight of the Frank dress. Our sailors are allowed to come on shore, BO
many each day, and to return next morning on board. It is very amusing
to see Jack strolling about with his Devil-may-care air ; and, considering the nature of society here and Jack's own nature, it is remarkable that
nothing serious has happened in the way of rows: but he is very popular. Only yesterday, one of them, half-seas over, in the midst of the market, seized a Turkish woman—veiled of course—and planted a hearty kiss on the
little bit of face he saw, many Turks standing about at the time. Only one old fellow drew a weapon ; the others interfered, saying, 'Is he not one of our preservers, come to cut down the Muscovite Giaour ? In the name of Allah let him pass.'
"Last night, in my way home, a sentinel stopped me, and quietly took me to the guard-house. I was alone, and thought it was because I showed no light (my lantern was out) : but the matter was soon explained. On the floor of the guard-house were stretched some of our men fast asleep, overcome by rakes or other potent drink. The guard had put them there to take care of them, and wanted to know from me what they were to do with them."
"There are constantly coming into town wild .Asiatics, irregulars goingup to Schunda— fierce-looking fellows, with extraordinary arms, from which they never separate ; some in bits of armour, some with shields on their backs,
armed as they were in the days of the Prophet likely. Yesterday some were walking about, and I fancied I would hie to converse with one ; BO I told a
dragoman to call one. The only notice he took was to pray gravely,May Allah send you mote sense !' The day before, three magnificent fellows in Albanian dress came in a boat to where I was, to ask it I would take them to Schumla to fight the Giaour: they had heard I was going there, and thought it was to fight. I told them, I'd like to take five hundred such as they if I were to fight, but not yet."
"I cannot get any news here of what's going on : they say they wait for that till French and English papers bring it. People are elated at the victo- ries, but cannot tell much about the fights.
"Some prisoners have been sent here ; and rather a laughable incident concerning them is, that when they arrived, the Turks sent them at once to be well washed. Fancy the Russians being too dirty for Turkish cleanliness!"
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