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camp's dress-uniform, with two heavy epaulettes. His countenance announced him to be about the age of two-and-twenty. His features were remarkably delicate, and would have given him a feminine appearance but for the manly expression of his fine blue eyes. On entering the inner shop, he took off his feathered cocked-hat, and showed a head of curly auburn hair, which improved in no small degree the uncommon beauty of his face. The impression which his whole appearance made on my mind was such, that it has ever since remained deeply engraven on it; and although fifteen years have since gone by, the lapse of time has not in the slightest degree impaired the freshness of the recollection.

He was attended by a Janissary attached to the English embassy,* and by a person who professionally acted as a sort of Cicerone to strangers. These circumstances, together with a very visible lameness in one of his legs, convinced me at once he was Lord Byron. I had already heard of his Lordship, and of his late arrival in the Salcette frigate, which had come up from the Smyrna station, to fetch away Mr. Adair, our ambassador to the Porte. Lord Byron had been previously travelling in Epirus and Asia Minor, with his friend Mr. Hobhouse, and had become a great amateur of smoking; he was conducted to this shop for the purpose of purchasing a few pipes. The indifferent Italian, in which language he spoke to his Cicerone, and the latter's still more imperfect Turkish, made it difficult for the shopkeeper to understand their wishes; and, as this seemed to vex the stranger, I addressed him in English, offering to interpret for him. When his Lordship thus discovered me to be an Englishman, he shook me cordially by the hand, and assured me, with some warmth in his manner, that he always felt great pleasure when he met with a countryman abroad. His purchase and my bargain being completed, we walked out together and rambled about the streets, in several of which I had the pleasure of directing his attention to some of the most remarkable curiosities in Constantinople. The peculiar circumstances under which our acquaintance took place, established between us in one day a certain degree of intimacy, which two or three years frequenting each other's company in England would most likely not have accomplished. I frequently addressed him by his name, but he did not think of inquiring how I came to learn it, nor of asking mine. His Lordship had not yet laid the foundation of that literary renown which he afterwards acquired; on the contrary, at that time he was only known as the author of his "Hours of Idleness;" and the severity with which the Edinburgh Reviewers had criticised that production was still fresh in every English reader's recollection. I could not therefore be supposed to seek his acquaintance from any of those motives of vanity which have actuated so many others since; but it was natural that after our accidental rencontre, and all that passed between us on that occasion, I should, on meeting him in the course of the same week at dinner at the English ambassador's, have requested one of the secretaries who was intimately acquainted with him, to introduce me to him in regular

In Turkey the ambassadors and consuls of foreign powers are allowed a guard of honour composed of Janissaries, one of whom usually precedes the foreign dignitary through the streets of the place in which he resides.

form. His Lordship here testified his perfect recollection of me, but in the coldest manner, and immediately after turned his back on me. This unceremonious proceeding, forming a striking contrast with previous occurrences, had something so strange in it that I was at a loss how to account for it, and felt at the same time much disposed to entertain a less favourable opinion of his Lordship than his apparent frankness had inspired me with at our first meeting. It was not, therefore, without surprise, that, some days after, I saw him in the street coming up to me with a smile of good-nature in his countenance. He accosted me in a familiar manner; and, offering me his hand, said :-"I am an enemy to English etiquette, especially out of England; and I always make my own acquaintances without waiting for the formality of an introduction. If you have nothing to do, and are disposed for another ramble, I shall be glad of your company." There was that irresistible attraction in his manner, of which those who have had the good luck to be admitted into his intimacy, can alone have felt the power in his moments of good humour; and I readily accepted his proposal. We visited again more of the most remarkable curiosities of the capital, a description of which would be here but a repetition of what a hundred travellers have already detailed with the utmost minuteness and accuracy; but his Lordship expressed much disappointment at their want of interest. He praised the picturesque beauties of the town itself, and its surrounding scenery; and seemed of opinion, that nothing else was worth looking at. He spoke of the Turks in a manner which might have given reason to suppose he had made a long residence among them, and closed his observations with these words :"The Greeks will sooner or later rise against them; but, if they do not make haste, I hope Bonaparte will come and drive the useless rascals away."

About this time it was notified to all the English who happened to be at Constantinople, that Mr. Adair's public audience of the Sultan, preparatory to his Excellency's return to England, would take place on a certain day, when they were invited to attend at the British palace*, for the purpose of accompanying him to the Seraglio.

Turkey being then the only Continental state at peace with England, a great number of English travellers had flocked to various parts of Greece, and came up to Constantinople with the hope of being present at the public audience, which, from the announcement of Mr. Adair's approaching departure, was expected soon to take place.

Every one prepared to appear before the Ottoman throne, and great was the interest exerted to obtain a place in the list of the favoured fourteen, who alone were to be admitted into the audience-chamber. The applications were so numerous and pressing, that it was judged necessary to show no partiality to any one who was not, as an attaché to the embassy, entitled to the entrée. Two exceptions were, however, made, in favour of Lord Byron and Captain Bathurst of the Salcette frigate; and no one could have found fault with them. The number was to be filled up on the spot, as circumstances and chance directed. In the circular note of invitation sent round, it was requested that those gentlemen who chose to attend should be at the palace exactly at

* The Hotel of the British Embassy at Constantinople is so called.

four o'clock in the morning of the appointed day. This was rather an early time for a formal visit to an emperor; but the Turks have not yet been taught the advantages which arise from reversing the order of those natural rules by which many of their customs are governed; hence, they commence business with the rising sun, dine and sup at early hours, and retire to rest soon after sunset, taking occasionally a nap in the middle of a summer's day, when the extreme heat of the season inclines the body to repose and the mind to indolence.

We were then in the early part of June; and as the distance from the Seraglio, and the formalities we should be required to go through on our way thither, were considered likely to take up much time, it had been deemed necessary that we should be ready to start at daybreak.

So great was the anxiety among the English not to miss being present at this celebrated ceremony, that many did not go to bed on the preceding night, for fear of over-sleeping themselves.

The important day dawned at last, and at half-past three the great gates of the palace were thrown open. The extensive grounds which surround the building were soon filled with a crowd of servants, grooms, and a number of horses saddled in the English and Turkish fashion. Along the front avenue, three companies of a regiment of Janissaries, who were to act as an extra-guard of honour, took their station, as well as twenty-four marines of the Salcette. An officer of rank, acting as under-master of the ceremonies at the Seraglio, arrived on horseback, for the purpose of conducting the Ambassador. He was followed by ten subaltern officers also mounted, and by four Arab grooms, who led as many horses richly caparisoned, sent to his Excellency as a present from the Sultan.

The suburb of Pera, which foreigners of all nations have chosen for their town residence, is situated on an eminence, and is the continuation of several streets, each about a mile and a half in length, leading to various parts of the quays that border the harbour of Constantinople. The British palace is at the furthest extremity of it; and neither the distance to the place where we were to cross the harbour, nor the dignity of the Ambassador, could admit of his going to it on such an occasion on foot. Carriages have not yet come into use in this Eastern capital, at least for men; and, moreover, as it is customary among the Turks to perform their visits of ceremony on horseback, this was the mode chosen by his Excellency. A regular procession was to be formed on leaving the palace; the order of it had been settled by the Ambassador, and made known to the persons concerned by a written list, which was circulated among them on their assembling at the palace. The Secretary of Legation having the character of Minister Plenipotentiary, in which capacity he was to succeed Mr. Adair, had been designated in the list, as the person who should ride next to the Ambassador in the procession, and after him, Lord Byron and the Consul-general.

Whilst most of us were lounging about the numerous suite of lofty apartments, waiting for the word of departure, I observed Lord Byron take up the list of the procession in a careless manner, and almost immediately after throw it on the table, and walk hastily to the next Here Mr. Adair was standing; and Lord Byron, whom I had followed, went up to him and spoke in a manner which evidently im

room.

plied a reference to the paper he had just seen. As neither his Lordship nor his Excellency showed any wish that their conversation should remain unheard, I approached them near enough to become soon convinced that my suspicions relative to the subject of it had been correct. Lord Byron expressed surprise that, as a peer of the realm, his name should not have been put in the list next to the Ambassador's. Mr. Adair assured him, that, by the arrangements made, nothing like disrespect to his Lordship was intended to be conveyed; but he begged leave to inform him, that the place next to himself on this occasion belonged to Mr. Stratford Canning, the Secretary of Embassy, and could be assigned to no one else. Lord Byron replied with some warmth, that he did not coincide with his (Mr. A.'s) view of the matter, and that, rather than conform to it, he would altogether relinquish the pleasure of accompanying him. To this Mr. Adair rejoined, in a tone of cold civility, that his Lordship was, of course, at liberty to act as he thought proper; whereupon Lord Byron wished his Excellency a good morning, and hastily left the palace.

This altercation, which was speedily known to all the English then at the palace, gave rise to a good deal of debate among them, opinions being divided as to the right of a peer to precedence on an official occasion, in which he was not a functionary. No doubt, however, should have existed on the subject, a peerage entitling the possessor to no particular precedence at a foreign court, when unaccompanied with the investment of actual authority there. When the Duke of Wellington, Lord Clancarty, and Lord Castlereagh as British Minister of Foreign Affairs, went to the Congress of Vienna, they were formally introduced at the Austrian court by the English Ambassador accredited to the court, who in all court ceremonies took precedence of them. The ceremony of the audience I must reserve for my next paper.

RECORDS OF WOMAN.-NO. VIII.

Joan of Arc, in Rheims.

THAT was a joyous day in Rheims of old,
When peal on peal of mighty music roll'd
Forth from her throng'd Cathedral; while around
A multitude, whose billows made no sound,
Chain'd to a hush of wonder, though elate
With victory, listen'd to their temple's gate.
-And what was done within?-Within, the light,
Through the rich gloom of storied windows flowing,
Tinged with soft awfulness a stately sight,

The chivalry of France, their proud heads bowing
In martial vassalage! While 'midst that ring,
And shadow'd by ancestral tombs, a king
Received his birthright's crown. For this, the hymn
Swell'd out like rushing waters, and the day
With the sweet censer's misty breath grew dim,
As through long aisles it floated o'er th' array
Of arms and sweeping states. But who, alone
And unapproach'd, beside the altar-stone,

With the white banner, forth like sunshine streaming,
And the gold helm, through clouds of fragrance gleaming,

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Silent and radiant stood?-The helm was raised,
And the fair face reveal'd, that upward gazed
Intensely worshipping: a still, clear face,
Youthful, but brightly solemn! Woman's cheek
And brow were there in deep devotion meek,
Yet glorified with Inspiration's trace

On their pure paleness; while, enthroned above,
The pictured Virgin, with her smile of love,
Seem'd bending o'er her votaress. That slight form!
Was that the leader through the battle storm?

Had the soft light in that adoring eye

Guided the warrior where the swords flash'd high?
-'Twas so, even so!—and thou, the shepherd's child,
Joanne, the lowly dreamer of the wild!

Never before, and never since that hour,

Hath woman, mantled with victorious

power,

Stood forth as thou beside the shrine didst stand,
Holy, amidst the knighthood of the land,
And beautiful with joy and with renown,
Lift thy white banner o'er the olden crown,
Ransom❜d for France by thee!

The rites are done!
Now let the dome with trumpet-notes be shaken,
And bid the echoes of the tombs awaken;
And come thou forth, that Heaven's rejoicing sun
May give thee welcome from thine own blue skies,
Daughter of victory!-A triumphant strain,

A proud rich stream of warlike melodies,
Gush'd through the portals of the antique fane,
And forth she came. Then rose a nation's sound-
Oh! what a power to bid the quick heart bound,
The wind bears onwards with the stormy cheer
Man gives to Glory on her high career!

Is there indeed such power?-far deeper dwells
In one kind household voice, to reach the cells

Whence happiness flows forth!-The shouts that fill'd
The hollow heaven tempestuously were still'd

One moment; and in that brief pause, the tone,

As of a breeze that o'er her home had blown,

Sank on the bright maid's heart." Joanne !"-Who spoke
Like those whose childhood with her childhood grew

Under one roof?" Joanne !"-That murmur broke
With sounds of weeping forth!-She turn'd,-she knew
Beside her, mark'd from all the thousands there,

In the calm beauty of his silver hair,

The stately shepherd; and the youth, whose joy
From his dark eye flash'd proudly; and the boy,
The youngest born, that ever loved her best:

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"Father! and ye, my brothers!"*-On the breast
Of that grey sire she sank—and swiftly back,
Ev'n in an instant, to their native track

"Jeanne d'Arc avait eu la joie de voir à Chalons quelques amis de son enfance. Une joie plus ineffable encore l'attendait à Rheims, au sein de son triomphe Jacques d'Arc, son Père, y se trouva, aussitôt que les troupes de Charles sept y furent entrées; et comme les deux frères de notre héroine l'avaient accompagnés, elle se vit, pour un instant, au milieu de sa famille, dans les bras d'un Père vertueux, auquel cette vertueuse fille se plut à renvoyer ces hommages d'estime dont elle étoit entouréc.”—Almanach de Gotha.

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