THE BASHI BUZUKS IN THE CRIMEA. 3 



of our troubles, — how the military world de- 

 clared us to be a band of banditti, an irreclaim- 

 able savagery ; how a man, who then called 

 himself H. B. M.'s Consul — but who has long 

 since incurred the just consequences of his 

 misconduct — packed the press, because General 

 Beatson had refused him a lucrative contract; 

 how we awoke one fine morning to find our- 

 selves in a famous state of siege and blockade, 

 with Turkish muskets on the land side, and 

 with British carronades on the water-front ; and 

 how finally we, far more sinned against than 

 sinning, were reported by Mr Consul Calvert 

 to Constantinople as being in a furor of mutiny, • 

 intent upon battle and murder and sudden 

 death. These things, and many other too per- 

 sonal for this occasion, will fit better into an 

 autobiography. 



The way, however, in which I c came to 

 grief (permit me the phrase) deserves present 

 and instant record : it is an admirable comment 

 upon the now universally accepted axiom, c sur- 

 tout, pas de zele,' and upon the Citizen-king's 

 warning words, 6 Surtout, ne me faites pas des 

 affaires.' 



The Bashi Buzuks, some 3000 sabres, almost 

 all well mounted and better armed, were pertin- 



