Delaware journal., 1827-11-20
From The National Mtelfgenc er.
REMAINS OF ANCIENT GRANDEUR.

We have been layoredby friend with the follow
in. extract of letter from Midshipman On board
the United States. lrisate CONSTITUTIONS dated Smyr-
ma. 6th August, 1897
we lett Vourla the ! itIl ult and, thanks to
a favourable breeze. arrived and anchored in the
Straits of Salams the evening of the i4th. 1t was
here we lay about month previous, great changes
had taken place in that interval The Turk and
Greek forces, in full view, were then encamped
within few miles tf the Acropolis, which was still
Struggling, and Il was hoped would have held OUT
Nothing now remains bat the deserted trenches of
the two armies. the Turks having removed from the
thigh ground they had occupied to the Hat country
more contiguous 10 Athens, and the Greeks deserted
their station at Port Leon, which has been occupied
TO countenancc the beseyed, aud impede the opera
ton OF the bese.prs. Tile fate of Athens is Of course
known IN the United States and the articles Of
captulaton. negotiated, it said, by the French Ad-
mfa, We're honorable to the defenders and faithful
| " observed by the Turks.
Two parties were formed 10 visit the ceIebratp,!
remains OF the city Of Minerva The first took place
the day alter our arrival and the other. to which
belonged, the day following. We set out on our
excursion at an early hour aud landed at Port Leon
the ancient Pirpus, the principal Of the three port
OF that city OF wooden walls and the seat OF her
power and wealth. The ruins scattered around lis
borders give only to the extent # ground they oc
.
storehouses. arsenas. and deiehces. which belonged
{ to this celebrated naval station. Modern engine.
luf war have. in rivaiahip OF Father Time. given a
specimen OF their more rapid, though not less Ger
tain powers uf destruction. The ruins of an
4 od monastery, battered down BY Cochrane'.
: steam vessel remain a memorial Of her exploit
G This port might have answered well enough fol
the small craft oi the ancicnts but would not accom-
modate more than two or three of our frirates
Although small. it however appears TO be a secure
, harbor We walked from the Pireus to Athens, a
dls'ance Of about four or five miles. The first OBJ
/ ject to attract our attention. which we met with il
that famous ct tie hill of .Areopasus. rock,
and uneven eminence. There are no remains of III,
i ettcc i'll which that celebrated Court held its sitting
. at whose tribunal the cod Of war stood on his de-
ience. HE r0atrum where Dem0sthenes spoke, ant
4 ie open space occupied by his auditors, next offer
cd itself 10 our GbseryationMeeting with refusa
t. to enter the Acr0polis, from the rudeness of tn
d Turks, who gave US to understand that we mus
= wait the arrival Of our Captain, whom we expected
II IN the mean time. our time was employed in view
ling the Temple of Pheseus. which is in more ne,
feet state than anyot the other antique buildings
u Il Is all ohlohs building. surrounded by portco ,
III Auted pillars OF the Dorlc order the freize is OF
,e namented with basso relieve. representing some
the exploits ol Pheseus.-'rhere are two doors. on
in each front Of the building, which are the onl
y openngs-there being no windows
.' ION our return TO the gate of the Acropolis II
~ Turks were NOR" civil and allowed US to enter.
~ the summit stands the Temple of Minerva considc
y ell the most perfect model of architecture in the worl
~ It Is of great extent. and the pillars Duric, said
y e inrty-twn feet high, and of proportonate crcu
o. ferenceMost Of the basso relieve is in very NJ
ne feet state OF preservation. Besides the Partheno