he is not hindered. I had a Mind to go thither my self to be an Eye-witness of it; but, the Turks not giving me leave, I deputed him in my Stead. I have brought back also abundance of old Coins, the chief of which I shall present my Master with. Besides, I have whole Waggon-loads, if not Ship-loads, of Greek Manuscripts, and about 240 Books, which I sent by Sea to Venice, from thence to be carried to Vienna: I design them for Cæsar's Library; there are many of them common, but some choice; I rummaged every Corner to procure such Kind of Merchandize, as my last gleaning.
I left one very old Manuscript behind me at Constantinople, all very well written in large Characters; it was Diascorides, with the Figures of Plants, wherein there were some few Things of Crativa, and the Book of Birds; 'tis in the Possession of a Jew, the Son of Hammon, who in his Life-time was Solyman's Physician: I desir'd to buy it, but the Price frightned me; he rated it at 100 Ducats, a Price fit for Cæsar's Purse, not mine. However, I will not cease to press Cæsar to redeem so famous an Author from that Bondage: 'tis very much injur'd by Time, and so eaten with Worms on the out-side, that a Man would hardly take it up, if it lay in the Streets.
But to conclude, you may expect me in a very short Time. I shall reserve what remains, till we meet: In the mean Time, do you take Care to provide some good and learned Men, by whose Conversation I may drive away the dull Thoughts remaining in my Mind, from my long Aboad among the Turks. Farewell!
<g>FINIS.</g>
