Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-07
FoRElGs CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER ITl.
VOYAGE from Cosinib Trieste -Pairas-The 1onan ISL
ands-Aust-ian Steamers City Of TrieseSepar-
from Friends, &c. dc.
TRIESTE.

We performed the trip from Corinth to Patras in
the night and the first objects that arrested ear at
tention in the morning were the tall peaks of
Parnassus, St. Andrews Church and the town of
Missolonghi, where Lord Byron brealhed his Hast.
Our captain informed us that he would remain in
the harbor until the afternoon, which gave US an
opportunity Of going ashore and examining the
place. Although Patras wss the first town that
suffered during the Revolution, it is one ofihe
most fourishing cities in the Morea. The new
streets are wide and regular, running at right
angles to each other, and several are built with
ches. It's present prosperity is the result of the
cultivation in the neighborhood Of the dwar-vine,
called Uva passa d. Corinto or Currants, which
renders the greater part of the plain of Patras the
most valuable soil in Europe The church Of st
Andrew is held in great veneration, as it is sup
posed to contain the bones of the Apostle and also
the stone which tradition connects with his martyr
dom. The castle commands very beautiful view
of the vass bay, Aound P1aachaicun, the distant
SUBMITS Of Zante and Ccphalonia; Castle Of Tornese,
Mount Skopo Mountain of Acarmania and Etolis;
the Straits of Rhium, &c, &c. iss-
Soon after leaving Patras, some of our machine
ry gave way, and we were compelled 10 run to
Zante with one wheel Fortunately the sea was
perfectly smooth and we reached the island in
safety in thirty-six hours. Zante the ancient
Lacynthus, is so celebrated Cor its beauty and fer
tity as to be called the "Flor d. Levante." 1t is
GO miles in circumference, Is miles from C.iarenza
in the Morea, and 10 miles from Cephalonia. The
population amounts to 10000 persons, Of whom
$1,000 reside in the city of the same name. The
greater part of the island is formed by an extern
sive plain which produces great quantities of Cur
rants. The town is the largest and most flourish
ing of all the Ionian sea ports Its extreme breadth
does not exceed 300 yards, but extends along the
coast for great distance Castle Hill which rises
preciptously Immediately behind the city is strong
" fortified TIE houses and streets of Zante are
very much after the fashion Of the italian cities
and some of the churches are very fine. When we
were there it was FeSta day, and most of the citi
zens were in the streets enjoying themselves in
various ways Great quantities Of mutton was
roasted in the same manner do at our barba-
cues in America. and the people seemed to eat as
though they were unaccustomed to meat every day.
At Zante we took the steamer Mahmood from
Constantinople, and ran close TO the islands of
Cephaonia and Ithaca, and the coast of Albania, to
the city of Corfu. Here the passengers all went
ashore in small boats to see the celebrated ortifca-
tons Quite an amusing occurrence took place as
we were leaving the steamer. A German who is
attached to the Austrian Legation at Constantine
pie stepped into our boat with young girl whom
the ladies thought looked rather too fast OF course
they were very indignant and one of the gentlemen
of the party undertook to carry out by loud words
and threats what the ladies considered an insult /
thought at one time that we would have general
melee in the little boat but the difficulty was adj
justed on the quay The German apologized, and
said he did not know it was private boat ] en-
oyed the fun exceedingly, and felt disposed to take
sides with the German, because he alone against
six Americans. Corfu, the ancient Corcyra is the
most considerable of the Ionian islands The Lord
High Commissioner and the Parliament Of the
Ionian islands have their head quarters there, and
the city, from the number of English residents, and
the garrison looks quite English. 1t was really
treat to meet so many that could speak our Ian
guage after more than years absence from Great
Britain. '-
Corfu is beautifully situatednear the centre Of the
island, on the shore facing the continent 1t is
strongly fortified, and has withstood many sieges.
Being at the mouth of the Adriatic it gives Eng
land in conjunction with Malta and Gibraltar the
entire command of the Mediterranean. The bay
is completely lani-loclled, surrounded on three
sides by the island and on the other by the main
land. with only narrow exits to the north and
south, not visible from the harbor ITSELF The high
coast of Albania the Notifications of the island of
Vide: the citadel built on two lofty rocks extending
into the sea; the palace of the Lord High Commits
sioner the shady park filed with brave highland
ers, clad in their native uniform, and the distant
mountain of the continent form a panorama of
great beauty.
Leaving Corfu, we proceeded on our way up the
beautiful Adriatic close to the barren and thinly
populated coast Of Albania and Delmatia. The sea
was as smooth as mirror, and the air so balmy
that we passed our time principally on the deck
The day after leaving Corfu was Sabbath. and we
had the Episcopal service read in the ladies' cabin
by an English clergyman The English ike the
Catholics, always carry their prayer books when
they travel something that we Americans, particu-
larly the gentlemen, usually neglect.
We entered the small harbor of Trieste early the
following morning. The Captain, in compliment to
Mr. Morris, our Charge de Afares at Naples, hoist
ed the United States flag, and we cast anchor in
the deep waters OF the Austrian bay under the folds
Of the stars and stripes; and here let me bestow
compliment upon Austria which she richly deserves,
and which all concede save the English viz: That
her steamers are the best in the Mediterranean and
her officers the most meritorious.
Trieste Tergeste of the Romans is the most
fourisning city in the Austrian dominions. 1t owes
its prosperity to the Emperor Charles VI, who in
l7l9 made it free port and to Maria Theresa who !
fostered it with her patronage. 1t has completely
suppanted Venice, ''the city ofthe sea, has pop
uation of near 100000, and engrosses nearly the
entire trade of the Adriatic
The Corso is the principal business street, and /
will compare well in point of beauty and activity .
with any street on the continent, and some Of the
palaces of the rich merchants built in the Ven tan
style really superb. Theinhabitants Of Trieste
are molly race-derived from all parts of the
world. The italian language is principally spoken
This is the place of separation from friends with