to the Golden Horn. This side of the town, about 3^ miles in extent, is protected by the most interesting and beautiful object of antiquity to be seen an}' where. It consists of a triple wall, in many places quite perfect, each rising higher than the one in front of it, castellated and strengthened by numerous towers, some overgrown with ivy, others covered with trees and partially in ruins. These walls, protected by a ditch, were partially built by Constantine, and are probably the most perfect specimen extant of the fortifications of those days. The date of this work, the old Latin and Greek inscriptions over its many beautiful gateways, the fine marble pillars and slabs used in their construction, and the ruined portions of it covered with ivy, make it one of the most beautiful objects I have ever seen. I have heard no news from Odessa of a positive nature; as soon as I do, of course I will let you know. I am very anxious to hear from you since my last letter, and to know how poor Ella bears this awful shock, I have never yet congratulated you upon your apartments at Hampton Court,22 which I do now with all my heart; give me a good long account of them when you write, it made me so happy when I heard of your good luck. — Your affectionate son,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To Lady Stephenson
My dear Mother, — Mr. Lloyd called upon me last Tuesday and brought me your packet, for which I am very much obliged both to him and you. From Malta he had poor Ella as a companion, and brought me a note from her. I went down to the harbour as soon as possible, but she was already gone up to the Black Sea in the Vesuvius. I am afraid she will not get to Odessa in time to find poor Henry alive; the accounts I hear of him are very bad, and from all I can gather it is the amputated leg that will kill him, mortification having set in.