135 — To his Mother
Salsette Frigate, off the Dardanelles
, April 17, 1810.
Dear Madam, — I write at anchor (on our way to Constantinople) off the Troad, which I traversed ten days ago. All the remains of Troy are the tombs of her destroyers, amongst which I saw that of Antilochus from my cabin window. These are large mounds of earth, like the barrows of the Danes in your island. There are several monuments, about twelve miles distant, of the Alexandrian Troas, which I also examined, but by no means to be compared with the remnants of Athens and Ephesus. This will be sent in a ship of war, bound with despatches for Malta. In a few days we shall be at Constantinople, barring accidents. I have also written from Smyrna, and shall, from time to time, transmit short accounts of my movements, but I feel totally unequal to long letters.
Believe me, yours very sincerely,
Byron
.
P.S. — No accounts from Hanson!!! Do not complain of short letters; I write to nobody but yourself and Mr. H.