216 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



and the Western Allies, I was employed on special 

 service in the Danubian Principalities; and, in 

 order to carry out certain duties more effectually, 

 I received from the Grand Seraskier E.iza Pacha 

 an imperial firman investing me with the rank of 

 Colonel and Bey in the Ottoman army. The 

 Russians were then concentrating their forces for 

 the investment of Silistria, where I spent some 

 very pleasant days, enjoying the hospitality of 

 Ibrahim Pacha, the civil governor, and receiving 

 the kindnesses of a brother from Moussa Pacha, 

 the commander of the garrison. The fortifications 

 had been most materially strengthened by the con- 

 struction of a number of detached forts round the 

 enceinte of the place, which works were projected 

 and thrown up by Colonel Grach, one of the most 

 scientific military engineers of the day, a gallant 

 soldier, and a delightful companion. Poor fellow ! 

 the Sultan had not such another strategist and 

 practical engineer in all his host as that gentle 

 fair-haired homme de lettres, now, alas ! no more ; 

 and although, like the gallant Butler, he did not 

 live to reap the laurels he had gained, it was his 



