THE memorandum of medicines [perhaps some prescription] which you sent has passed under our view; but the essences,* therein specified, belong to the European practice, whereas Mahommed Baig is a physician of the Greek school. The conclusion to be drawn from this is, that in omitting to insert the Greek medicines, and substituting in their place those in use among the Europeans, you could have had no other view, than that of making a profit by the sale of the latter.

You must get a memorandum [or list] of Greek medicines made out by the above-named [Mahommed Baig], and send it to us, in order that we may supply you [with the articles required].

I am obliged to acknowledge, that I do not clearly understand this letter, which appears to be addressed to some eunuch, who exercised the business of a pharmacopolist; but whether under the authority, and for the benefit, of the Sultan, or on his own individual account, I cannot determine. The former supposition would certainly not be at variance with the practice of this extraor­dinary character in other cases; and, in some measure, supported by the general tenor of the letter. On the other hand, if the medicines, when compounded, were to be sold exclusively on account of the Sultan, there is some difficulty in comprehending whence the profit was to arise to the Khojeh, with the pursuit of which he is accused by his sovereign. After all, however, the difficulty may proceed from nothing but my want of due information on the subject.