274 LETTERS EROM PROFESSOR CARLYLE 



Mr. Chaubert, the dragoman who accompanied me, every reason to 

 conclude that my request would not finally be denied. Mr. C. 

 possesses a very considerable personal influence with Youssouf Aga ; 

 and in fact obtained leave for my admission into the library, after 

 both Lord Elgin's presents and the request he had transmitted by 

 others had been found ineffectual to procure that permission. I 

 own, my Lord, I shall feel not a little hurt, if I be thus hindered from 

 completing my enquiries ; but I trust matters will be so arranged, 

 by some means or other, as to prevent my experiencing such a dis- 

 appointment. 



I have the honor to be, &c. &c. 



I. D. Carlyi.e. 



■ LETTER VI. 



My Lord British Palace, Pera, Feb. 29. 1801. 



I HAVE this moment received Your Lordship's letter, when I am upon 

 the wing for setting out for Greece. I lament that I must be obliged 

 to o"ive up the favorite plan I had formed of a journey to the Black 

 Sea, and. especially as the idea has met with Your Lordship's appro- 

 bation. I shall ever regret that the delays of the Turkish govern- 

 ment, in giving an answer respecting my admission into the libraries, 

 prevented me from undertaking my projected expedition in the au- 

 tumn of last year, especially as I have not been permitted to examine 

 the repository of books in the Khasne. It was only yesterday, my 

 Lord, that that business was finally determined. I had been buoyed 

 up with hopes of entering the library, by repeated promises of 

 Youssouf Aga, and had in consequence waited with no little impa- 

 tience for the termination of the Ramadan and the Bairam (during 

 which periods the Sultan will do no business) ; but the message which 



