ds,
notwithstanding the misfortune that befel (sic) a very fine one,
designed for the king of Sweden. He gave a great price for it, and
the Turks took it into their heads, that he must have some
considerable project depending upon it. They fancied it the body of,
God knows who; and that the state of their empire mystically depended
on the conversation of it. Some old prophecies were remembered upon
this occasion, and the mummy committed prisoner to the Seven Towers,
where it has remained under close confinement ever since, I dare not
try my interest in so considerable a point, as the release of it; but
I hope mine will pass without examination. I can tell you nothing
more at present of this famous city. When I have looked a little
about me, you shall hear from me again. I am, Sir, Your's, &c. &c.

LET. XXXVI.

TO MR POPE.

_Belgrade Village, June_ 17. O. S.

I HOPE, before this time, you have received two or three of my
letters. I had yours but yesterday, though dated the third of
February, in which you suppose me to be dead and buried. I have
already let you know, that I am still alive; but to say truth, I look
upon my present circumstances to be exactly the same with those of
departed spirits. The heats of Constantinople have driven me to this
place, which perfectly answers the description of the Elysian fields.
I am in the middle of a wood, consisting chiefly of fruit-trees,
watered by a vast number of fountains, famous for the excellency of
their water, and divided into many shady walks, upon short grass,
that seems to me artificial, but, I am assured, is the pure work of
nature--within view of the Black sea, from whence we perpetually
enjoy the refreshment of cool breezes, that make us insensible of the
heat of the summer. The village is only inhabited by the richest
amongst the Christians, who meet every night at a fountain, forty
paces from my house, to sing and dance. The beauty and dress of the
women exactly resemble the ideas of the ancient nymphs, as they are
given us by the representations of the poets and painters. But what
persuades me more fully of my decease, is the situation of my own
mind, the profound ignorance I am in, of what passes among the living
(which only comes to me by chance) and the great calmness with which
I receive it. Yet I have still a hankering after my friends and
acquaintances left in the world, according to the authority of that
admirable author,

_T