As I never can forget the smallest of your ladyship’s commands, my first business here has been to inquire after the stuffs you ordered me to look for, without being able to find what you would like.  The difference of the dress here and at London is so great, the same sort of things are not proper for caftans and manteaus.  However, I will not give over my search, but renew it again at Constantinople, though I have reason to believe there is nothing finer than what is to be found here, being the present residence of the court.  The Grand Signior’s eldest daughter was married some few days before I came; and upon that occasion the Turkish ladies display all their magnificence.  The bride was conducted to her husband’s house in very great splendour.  She is widow of the late Vizier, who was killed at Peterwaradin, though that ought rather to be called a contract than a marriage, not having ever lived with him:  however, the greatest part of his wealth is hers.  He had the permission of visiting her in the seraglio; and, being one of the handsomest men in the empire, had very much engaged her affections.—­When she saw this second husband, who is at least fifty, she could not forbear bursting into tears.  He is a man of merit, and the declared favourite of the Sultan (which they call mosayp); but that is not enough to make him pleasing in the eyes of a girl of thirteen.

The government here is entirely in the hands of the army:  and the Grand Signior, with all his absolute power, as much a slave as any of his subjects, and trembles at a janissary’s frown.  Here is, indeed, a much greater appearance of subjection than among us:  a minister of state is not spoken to, but upon the knee; should a reflection on his conduct be dropped in a coffee-house (for they have spies everywhere), the house would be razed to the ground, and perhaps the whole company put to the torture.  No huzzaing mobs, senseless pamphlets, and tavern disputes about politics: 

  A consequential ill that freedom draws;
  A bad effect,—­but from a noble cause.

None of our harmless calling names! but when a minister here displeases the people, in three hours’ time he is dragged even from his master’s arms.  They cut off his hands, head, and feet, and throw them before the palace gate, with all the respect in the world; while that Sultan (to whom they all profess an unlimited adoration) sits trembling in his apartment, and dare neither defend nor revenge his favourite.  This is the blessed condition of the most absolute monarch upon earth, who owns no law but his will.  I cannot help wishing, in the loyalty of my heart, that the parliament would send hither a ship-load of your passive-obedient men, that they might see arbitrary government in its clearest strongest light, where it is hard to judge whether the prince, people, or ministers, are most miserable.  I could make many reflections on this subject; but I know, madam, your own good sense has already furnished you with better than I am capable of.