Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-15
LETTERS FROM ASIA.


Extract from series of letters, written by
AN American gentleman while in Asia, 10
his friend in Boston. The writer unioI-
tunaie!y died by the plague, on his pas
sage from Alexandria, in Egypt, 10 Coz
stantinople, in Greeian vessel.
boston Patriot
TO. /.
Ever since was able to receive deigb.
from perusing the works OF Homer, mv
greatest wish had been, to view the Grecian
Islands, and that ground rendered familiar
10 the Imagination OF those possessing taste
for the classics. You can therefore hardly
conceive with what rapture beheId, for
the first time, the Morea, and the Island of
Crete, presenting themselves, though faint.
", in the distsM horizon. We wCTe now
entering the .H,gean sea, and cur vessel gil
ded smoothly over those waves that had
once raised terror in the minds OF thousands.
and 10 whose God incense had burned on
innumerable affairs.
On entering the Archipelago, we pass4i
the Island of Crete, leaving on our left the
island Of Cytheria the former, famous III
neurological history for its hundred cite.
aud the laws Of Mfnos and the latter, as
the birth place OF Venus.
Nothing can be more deceiying than the
ideas generally formed of the appearance
OF these Islands. Instead OF finding thei,
sides gradually rising from the sea and 10
a high state OF cultivation, they are, with
few exceptions. rocks, whose sides appea,
almost inaccessible, with here and there
few olives and fig trees covering the ruins
OF some temple, vestiges OF which have yel
been spared by the rude hands OF no.
dera barbarians.
We anchored at Alelos for the purpose Of
obtaining 4 pilot, and the wind proving IN.
favorable, we embraced the opportunity
Tor viewing what curiositics there were 10
be seen on the Island.
The town OF SJour, The residence Of
most of The inhabitants, struck me as very
singular. 1t is situated on the peak Of
high mountain on the eastern side OF the en-
trance to the harbour, and appears at first
SIGHT, as il it were inaccessible. AS this
place was nearly three miles from that pat
OF the bay where we anchored, we were
under the necessity OF mounting Jackasses
in order to visit it, the excessive heat and
badness OF the roads rendering il very
talgulng to walk. We sat on Two sticks
lashed together, instead of saddles rope
was made fast around the nose Of each of
the animals by way OF bridle-and in place
OF whips, a little boy ran after US with
piece OF iron sharpened at one end, with
which he pricked the poor creatures, who
show their disapprobation by kicking ant
braying most numerically.
On entering the town, we were greeted
b. the shouts Of children and smiles OF wo.
men, to whom pair ofight yantaioon4 is
as great curiosity as the Pyramids Of
Egypt would be TO a Seminole Indian.
The houses, which are Of stone, are built
nearly one on the other, that is 10 say, the
space in front of one house serves as the
roof for the one below, and the streets are
merely winding stalrcases.
From The summit OF this town, where he
pilots are generally stationed to look cut
for vessels, one of the most beautiful pros.
poets in the world is TO be seen. The ere,
after wandering over almost all the Grecan
Islands, loses its power among the inoun-
tains Of the Morea, while cioudless SKI
and clear atmosphere tend 10 render the
outline OF every object distinct.
Leaving Sifour, we visited the ruins Of
the Theatre, lately discovered while dig.
ging for statues the marble OF which il Is
is of the most beautiful white
and with the ornaments carved upon il, IS
in the highest state Of preservation, al
though upwards Of twenty FIVE hundred
years have probably elapsed since its cree.
twelve to sixteen tiers of seat;
Ire already exposed, with two pedestlls
N which statues no doubt formerly stood.
The stones of which the city and naval DE-.
pot IN Its vicinity We're composed, are near.
y destroyed by time. The preservation
II the theatre may, without doubt, DC attn.
o.uted to its having been covered with earth
rom the mountain on the side which It's
1ullt.-Near the theatre, facing the sea-
Ire the ca,acombs. On entering, regular
;ut cavens and tombs are Observed, and
~ digging few feet we found many
'Sulls, Which, with the teeth they con
aimed, were in good state ofpreseryaiion;
put as have always considered disturbing
ne dead as sacrilege, they were replaced,
here to remain till that day, when it's sad,
III bones will be gathered together, or ill
ome person less scrupulous than myself.
'emoyye them TO adom some Eurorean caJ.
let Of curiosities.