“Once more recommending to you the reinforcement of my strong box and credit from all lawful sources and resources of mine to their practicable extent—­for, after all, it is better playing at nations than gaming at Almack’s or Newmarket—­and requesting you to write to me as often as you can,

“I remain ever,” &c.

The squadron, so long looked for, having made its appearance at last in the waters of Missolonghi, and Mavrocordato, the only leader of the cause worthy the name of statesman, having been appointed, with full powers, to organise Western Greece, the fit moment for Lord Byron’s presence on the scene of action seemed to have arrived.  The anxiety, indeed, with which he was expected at Missolonghi was intense, and can be best judged from the impatient language of the letters written to hasten him.  “I need not tell you, my Lord,” says Mavrocordato, “how much I long for your arrival, to what a pitch your presence is desired by every body, or what a prosperous direction it will give to all our affairs.  Your counsels will be listened to like oracles.”  Colonel Stanhope, with the same urgency, writes from Missolonghi,—­“The Greek ship sent for your Lordship has returned; your arrival was anticipated, and the disappointment has been great indeed.  The Prince is in a state of anxiety, the Admiral looks gloomy, and the sailors grumble aloud.”  He adds at the end, “I walked along the streets this evening, and the people asked me after Lord Byron !!!” In a Letter to the London Committee of the same date, Colonel Stanhope says, “All are looking forward to Lord Byron’s arrival, as they would to the coming of the Messiah.”

Of this anxiety, no inconsiderable part is doubtless to be attributed to their great impatience for the possession of the loan which he had promised them, and on which they wholly depended for the payment of the fleet—­“Prince Mavrocordato and the Admiral (says the same gentleman) are in a state of extreme perplexity:  they, it seems, relied on your loan for the payment of the fleet; that loan not having been received, the sailors will depart immediately.  This will be a fatal event indeed, as it will place Missolonghi in a state of blockade; and will prevent the Greek troops from acting against the fortresses of Nepacto and Patras.”

In the mean time Lord Byron was preparing busily for his departure, the postponement of which latterly had been, in a great measure, owing to that repugnance to any new change of place which had lately so much grown upon him, and which neither love, as we have seen, nor ambition, could entirely conquer.  There had been also considerable pains taken by some of his friends at Argostoli to prevent his fixing upon a place of residence so unhealthy as Missolonghi; and Mr. Muir, a very able medical officer, on whose talents he had much dependence, endeavoured most earnestly to dissuade him from such an imprudent step.  His mind, however, was made up,—­the proximity of that port, in some degree, tempting him,—­and having hired, for himself and suite, a light, fast-sailing vessel, called the Mistico, with a boat for part of his baggage, and a larger vessel for the remainder, the horses, &c. he was, on the 26th of December, ready to sail.  The wind, however, being contrary, he was detained two days longer, and in this interval the following letters were written.