The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-10-26

hDOub sAO usual tAL1O OSSNAAS~
my having to deliver some lectures IN
New Albany and elsewhere, besides
visiting Nashville, Tenn, on business,
during ny Summer vacation. l now
hasten to send you a communication,
nearly as written on board of the
French Steamer "Scamander," while
sailing in the Mediterranean during
last October, and touching at the
points described. The first observa
tions may be beaded
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS REGARDING |
SMYRNA AND EPHEsUs.
In the last letter, the trade in figs,
raisins and oil was spoken of, but
there are other items in which Smyrna
trades pretty extensively. About |
eighty miles back considerable |
amount of opium is cultivated; also |
cotton. An English gentleman here
descanted upon the latter, and of his
fathers investments, saying emphat-
ically, IF the American war had only
lasted a year longer, we should have
made a fortune; as it was, we lost
one" The American Consul, Mr..
John Smithers, who received US very
kindly, informed us that the staple
had been very much improved re-
Gently by the introduction of Ameri-
can cotton seed. The 6rst year or
.twL, It was not so perceptible as later.
He remarked that the same applied
TO Mediterranean wheat, in the States,
whicA had not been nearly so much
vs!ued untilit had become acclimated
by two or three successive years In
America. The same gentlemen who
complained Of the cotton depreciation,
deals also in opium and scammony,
which ne says are pretty largely eX-
ported. Other persons put up guam
titles of sardines, and, we under
stand, anchovies. We saw in mar
ket a great variety of fine fish.
While making our donkey tour.
we net several Turkish ladies
riding the same as men; but
here with their faces much more
closely concealed than in Constanti-
norle, having thick black veil to
connect the two white wells formerly
described. Finding several Turkish
won en- devoutly praying at the Tomb
of Polycarp, and seeing the remnants
of numerous candles burned there,
we were somewhat at loss to under
stand why the Turks reveren3ed a
martyred Christian and attributed
miraculous influences to his moulder-
ing bones. At the Hotel de l'Europe,
which we found excellently kept by
Mr.. Albert, we met at the table d h0te
q Turk. and ventured, through our
landlord, who presided at the head of
the table, to ask the explanation of
this devotion to Polycarp. He re-
piled that they, like us, worshiped the
one living and true God; reverenced
great and good men, especially those
who lived before Mahomet's time, par
ticularly Moses and Christ. but deem
ing Mahomet the Prophet, whose
instructions from divine sources were
the latest, they followed out the teach
ings of the latest dispensation.
At a photographers l bought as
usual, photographs illustrative of the
adjoining scenery and costumes. One
view Of Ephesus exhibits the river
Ayaiolouk, SO called becaused it is
the supposed burial place of the Holy
Evangelist j John, Hagios Theologos);
as also, according to some authorities,
of the Virgin Mary. Returning
through town our serious reflections
were rendered still more sombre by
encountering a hearse, which was
decorated in eight or ten places on
its sides and ends with painted repre-
sensations, as large as life, of death,
namely Of skull and cross-bopes.
We had delightful weather at
Smyrna, although we learn that the
rain, beginning about the end of
November, continue sometimes three
months, with scarcely any intermis-
sion, and then diminish gradually
during perhaps month before the dry
season sets in. The only drawback
to comfort was from the persistent
attacks of mosquitoes, against which
however good bars are provided at
night. This place and Venice, are
the only two points at which we have
encountered these transatlantic tor
ments.
The sea this morning, (16th Oct,
1869 evinces a great contrast to its
appearance on the day of our arrival,
being so remarkably placid, that even
the boatmen seem Quoted by the
sympathy; and splendid Medusa, of
blush color, and fully sixteen inches
across its disc, has been quietly float
ing for some time near the stern of
the vessel, as she is held in place by
her anchor.
But now the anchor is weighed, the
boats are hoisted, and must seek the
quarter deck to obtain new items.
While going out of the harbor. /
ind 1T IS much more extensive than /
supposed, as we do not quite clear the
Gulf until we have made some %
miles or more. The white piles of
salt are again visible, and we learn it
is government monopoly. from which
a considerable revenue is derived.
While bidding adieu to Smyrna,
with its sixteen mosks, it is interest
ing and encouraging to learn that,
under the Lutheran Church of Ger
many, deaconesses have been sent out
(someWhatas the Catholics send their
Sisters of Charity, who form a cen
trail point for the Protestant commu-
nifty. One, Sister Nina Crosse, has
been at Smyrna during the last sew
enteen years, effecting much good.
Among the superstitions which they
have to eradicate, Is the idea that, by
carrying portions of the clothing of
the sick to the tomb of a great person
IT so.called saint, cure can be ef-
>ted.
ONE, too, we learn Jon leaving. that
tossIEth of October, when we were
vessel @out in the Egean Sea. n
storm, nearecked, during thunder
giying us adoTa, and many lives lost.
IaIness. Ano9al cause for thank
black Sea about was lost on the
tnls was also on thesame time, and
nsu;storm at Athens, vt of the great
s -. H1'lled a great manDh, they told
OF properly. 1 qmount
THE ISLES or cprr,r,