Item 16 - Letter from James Clay to Wiiliam Meyer

1 folded sheet.

Constantinople. - They had a 'tedious passage' from Prevesa to Navarin [Pilos], then to Napoli [Nafplio], being 'long delayed by calms and foul winds', but their journey on to Athens took only twenty four hours. From Egina to Constantinople took five days.
At Navarin [Pylos] they were 'amazed to find outside the walls a complete french village in which are counted more than a dozen cafés with as many Billiard tables'; they had some 'fair shooting', but the only excursion they made was to Modon [Methoni].

Delivered letter to Meyer's nephew at Napoli, but did not make Mr Griffith's acquaintance; heard at Navarin that Griffith had a 'narrow escape from the bursting of his gun'. At Napoli they made an excursion to Corinth, and also met King, who got a passage to Malta with a friend of Clay's, Captain Graham ('brother of Sir James') on the Rattlesnake, to which Graham had just been appointed on the death of Captain Spencer.

At Athens they 'stumbled upon Gropius to whom Byron has given a somewhat uncomfortable celebrity'; they however found his practical manner of 'great service'. Gropius has 'purchased most of the beautiful situations for hours close to Athens (which may be thought some of the most beautiful in the world) for next to nothing'. Clay was himself tempted to spend a hundred pounds on many acres, 'but scarcely knew what to do with them'. Sir Pulteney Malcolm has bought a 'little place'. They 'got into the Acropolis', made excursions to Marathon and other places. General impressions of Greece.

Has now been in Constantinople about a month; the inhabitants keep threatening severe weather but it remains fine. Is 'much delighted with the beauties of this place', but since he is 'half ruined by buying pipes, sabres, shawls and the other temptations to extravagance which it abundantly offers', proposes starting 'when the north winds set in'. Has been at Pera in lodgings for the last few days, since the walk from the yacht to dine at the Palace every day does not suit him. Delivered Mayer's letter to Cartwright, from whom he has received 'every hospitable attention', as he has from Sir Robert Gordon. Cartwright is a 'capital fellow'.

Meredith left the other day for Smyrna, but Disraeli remains with Clay; they plan to travel to Smyrna, Acre, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Cairo, and to go from Alexandria to Malta. From there he will go to Venice, and 'make the best of my way home. I had intended to do more but English politics now possess such overwhelming interest' that he cannot bear being absent any longer. Expects to be back by the autumn; invites Meyer to give him any 'commands' back in England. Suggests Meyer should write to him at the Albion Club, as he thinks he will either change or give up his house in Town. Disraeli sends best wishes.

Adds postscript with best wishes from Cartwright, who says he is 'quite well but getting a little old, tho' he has the intention of stopping in this world as long as he can, as he is not sure of as good a situation in the next'.

Annotations and under-linings in pencil and red crayon.