Personal letter from Sir William Gell to Philip Gell from Thebes `Dear Peter': Gell wants 30 years' lease of ground on which 20, 30, 40 or 50 thorns and poplars planted. Wants them set very close so that poles can be cut out when wanted, but site must be near Philip because `world would be too apt to want ladders when he [William] was in St Petersburg or Madrid'. Gell's attachment to the embassy secures him from the intrigues of Greeks and infidels and since he is not wanted at present he has been able to make `a very satisfactory tour in Turkey which only wants two months of being completed'. Sir Charles Monck and his wife arrived at the moment of Gell's entry into the Porte. `I have been on horseback an average of 7 hours a day for about 6 months'. Has travelled for 45 days to Tempe and Larissa, but has not yet visited Corinth because of outbreak of plague there. Has got a couple of tortoises for Philip `about as big as snuff boxes'. Pleased Philip now has son and heir. 16 Jul 1805