pitiful manner, without getting any thing but drubs from the
insolent soldiers. I cannot express to your R. H. how much I was
moved at this scene. I would have paid them the money out of my own
pocket, with all my heart; but it Would only have been giving so much
to the aga, who would have taken it from them without any remorse.
After four days journey from this place over the mountains, we came
to Sophia, situated in a large beautiful plain on the river Isca, and
surrounded with distant mountains. 'Tis hardly possible to see a
more agreeable landscape. The city itself is very large, and
extremely populous. Here are hot baths, very famous for their
medicinal virtues.--Four days journey from hence we arrived at
Philippopolis, after having passed the ridges between the mountains
of Haemus and Rhodope, which are always covered with snow. This town
is situated on a rising ground near the river Hebrus, and is almost
wholly inhabited by Greeks; here are still some ancient Christian
churches. They have a bishop; and several Of the richest Greeks live
here; but they are forced to conceal their wealth with great care,
the appearance of poverty [which includes part of its inconveniencies
(sic)] being all their security against feeling it in earnest. The
country from hence to Adrianople, is the finest in the world. Vines
grow wild on all the hills; and the perpetual spring they enjoy makes
every thing gay and flourishing. But this climate, happy as it
seems, can never be preferred to England, with all its frosts and
snows, while we are blessed with an easy government, under a king,
who makes his own happiness consist in the liberty of his people, and
chuses rather to be looked upon as their father than their
master.--This theme would carry me very far, and I am sensible, I
have already tired out your R. H.'s patience. But my letter is in
your hands, and you may make it as short as you please, by throwing
it into the fire, when weary of reading it. I am, madam,
With the greatest respect, &c.

LET. XXVI.

TO THE LADY ----.

_Adrianople, April_ 1. O. S. 1717.

I AM now got into a new world, where every thing I see appears to me
a change of scene; and I write to your ladyship with some content of
mind, hoping, at least, that you will find the charms of novelty in
my letters, and no longer reproach me, that I tell you nothing
extraordinary. I won't trouble you with a relation of