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LETTER XVIII.
To the Caimacham.
VArious are the Discourses of People in this Place concerning the Reduction of Asac. For, Paris, like Athens of old, is the Receptacle of all the News in the World.
The French are Naturally a Martial People, delighting much in the Affairs of War; and when the News came last Year of the Raising the Siege of Asac, with all the Particulars of the Defendants Bravery, notwithstanding the Union of so great Forces against them; they highly applauded the Valour and Constancy of the Cossacks, whom neither Threats nor Promises, gentle Means, nor vigorous Assaults could prevail upon to surrender up their Town, but forced the Besiegers to return Home with the Loss of above Twelve Thou∣sand Turks, besides Moldavians, Walachians, and Tartars.
But now they begin to change their Notes, and to admire the Invincible Force of the Ottoman Arms, which hew their way through the most Formidable Difficulties, to lay Em∣pires, Kingdoms and States at the Feet of our Victorious Sultan.
I have received a particular Account from Nathan Ben Saddi, of the taking of that City. He tells me, That at the News of