hours," wrote Lord Cochrane, "the
question of relieving Athens will be at a close. I have told Karaiskakes
what I think of the state of affairs, and have made up my mind to act
accordingly; taking upon myself all the responsibility of not looking
longer on tambouria disputes whilst it seems resolved by the Greeks
themselves not to march to the relief of Athens. I have not sent the
transports to Attica to raise the miserable inhabitants at this hour,
when too late for them to be of the least use in relieving the
Acropolis. If I had done so, I should have the load on my conscience of
causing their heads to be struck off. I can assure you, Sir Richard,
that Colonel Gordon and myself laboured long ago to prevail on
Karaiskakes to do this, but he resisted every application, for reasons
which it will be well if he can satisfactorily explain hereafter. If
your men will not come on, and Karaiskakes's men will not in the night
pass those miserable tambourias, which in that case are no impediment,
what is the use of my detaining the squadron here? I have viewed the
bugbear of a convent this day from opposite sides, and it is no more in
Karaiskakes's way than the church of Poros.

"Since writing the above," Lord Cochrane added, "I have received your
note requesting that six hundred men shall be transported hence to
Karaiskakes's head-quarters in the rear. The naval funds have been
expended and our funds exhausted in bringing forces nearer to the enemy.
I am sure if you reflect on this demand of his, and that Karaiskakes's
head-quarters are twice as far from Athens as the Phalerum, you will be
of the opinion that it would be better to bring an equal number, or even
the whole of Karaiskakes's force here, and endeavour immediately to do
something effectual to save Fabvier and the garrison from the inevitable
destruction consequent on the present mode of proceeding. If Karaiskakes
wants more men he wants them to take tambourias, and not to march past
them as he ought, for his present position is of no use whatever. Do
cause some rational mode of proceeding to be adopted, or let us give it
up; for we are now only in the way by occasioning jealousy and promoting
the vilest intrigues."

The "bugbear of a convent," which Karaiskakes wished first to capture,
was the monastery of Saint Spiridion, occupied by a few scores of Turks,
who from it overlooked the Greek encampments on each side, the one at
Piraeus, the other at Munychia, with a d