A RIDE TO MAGNESIA. 159 



their unsuspecting subject. He impressed on our 

 serious consideration that the colonel was a very great 

 man indeed, able to do pretty well what he liked in 

 Magnesia ; and we were to take note that he, the 

 doctor, could do what he liked with the colonel. I 

 do not know whether he handed over our speeches 

 to the colonel in a more genuine state than we were 

 quite sure he did those of the colonel to us, from the 

 quantity of alloy that we were able to detect. It is 

 probable that at least he polished our compliments, 

 and somewhat exaggerated our conditions. At any 

 rate we were a very pleasant party, and seemed mu- 

 tually satisfied with our conversation. After a con- 

 siderable interval, during which we had partaken of 

 his hospitable cheer, we arose to depart. But he 

 would not allow us to go, saying that English officers 

 visiting that strange place must be his guests. He 

 would first show us the barracks, and then we must 

 go home with him and dine. This proposal delighted 

 us much, and we bowed a willing assent. AVe had 

 the curiosity to inquire how he had been made aware 

 of our arrival, as he evidently must have been, by the 

 token of his having recognised us on the parade-ground, 

 and having sent to us the invitation. He told us 

 that in the routine of his daily reports, our descrip- 

 tions had been presented to him as having arrived at 

 the A'/m/i, so that when he saw us he knew who we 

 must be. 



Presently we proceeded to inspect the barracks. 



