The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-08-01

1o OtA $1,000 - Luz - -
boxes. 2
90 visiting the reading room, {
,hich is we'll provided with news [
apers in many languages, and peri
ideals. we had the pleasure OF meet q
% the gentleman recently appointed {
5 United Stares Consul at the PiT@- t
Athens), W. r. P. Keep, Pm. D.. (
ormerly Tutor at Yale: then on his
ray to sun his new duties, and
evel in Athenian antiquities.
Through the kindness Of Mr.. Sap
we were favored with a view of
he fine collection of minerals, &C..
owned by Mr.. Lloyd, British Consul
1t Syria. Among other interesting
specimens we saw an excellent one of
emory, of which much is exported
rom Naxos; photographic stone, and
fine samples of the various marbles
the different islands. He had
an interesting fish from Suez. the Te-
similar to the diodOre. but
with the remarkable parrot-like beak
of its mouth in four parts. A large
quantity of fbrous gypsum, which L
had seen the workmen carrying to be
converted into plaster Of Paris, he in
formed nc was obtained from the
island Of Milos.
After leaving Lyra, on the night of
the 18Th, we had rather a blow while
exposed to the open sea, but by day
light in the morning were between the
Islands of Scio and Anatolia, with
pleasant weather and interesting sur
roundings. On anchoring opposite
the Castro or fortress of the CHIEF
town, which is called Chora, we had q
fine view through our field glass, OF
the Island, which has been decided
by NEST authorities to have the best
title, of all the seven claimants. to be
considered the birthplace of Homer.
At present it exports considerable
quantities of raisins and currents. We
took part of a cargo of the former 10
| boxes, and the latter In casks, which
| delayed us some hours. Meanwhile
the natives, partly Greeks and partly
Turks, as the Island now belongs to
| the latter, brought fruit and pre-
serves, gum mastic and liquor on
| board, in order to hawk them about
| among the numerous deck passengers.
They carried little scales with them,
and sold the mastic by weight. One
man carried little cups IN a belt made
purposely, and sold coffee from a
copper urn. having a charcoal chatting
dish beneath to keep the beverage hot.
The scenery generally as we pass
nearAnatolia presented but little cul
tiyation, a few wind mills and scatter
ing villages, the rocks evidently STRAIT
fled, with moderate dip usually, but
at other places entirely cOntOrted from
the proximity of upheaving force, ap
parently purely igneous rocks, aud,
perhaps, however, only metamorphic
states.
But now all eyes are directed east,
as we near Smyrna, passing large
numbers of small sailing crafts, many
laden with salt made on the coast
near By, and Pages rises to one thou
sand feet In real of the noted com
mereial city now containing 100000
inhabitants, Notwithstanding its more
than defamation by the plague at va
rious periods. This, no doubt, is
partly due to the want of proper at
tention to sewerage, and the city will
undoubtedly be ultimately Improved
in this respect.
Ga casting anchor We were sur
rounded as usual by a number of
small boats, caik like In their sharp
prows and sterns, and beset by a more
determined set of uDners and boat
men, than we had yet encountered.
However, we made our bargain,
passed the custom house, and had our
baggage carried to the Hotel del
Europe, where we comfortably await
ed the departure Of the next boat for
Beyroot.
We meantime, fondly hoped to be
able to see Ephesus, but ascertained
after minute enquiries, that the only
train going there, would return three
hours too late for the Messageries
Imperialis' steamer; and for an extra
train they ask fifty dollars in gold for
the locomotive, and five dollars for
each passenger. Excavations are 60
ing on there, and some antiquities
have already been SEN to the British
Museum, while others can be seen
here.
SMYRNA IT'S SURROUNDINGS, figs,
AND DoNKEYs.
Considering the high price of the
extra train, and that in Smyrna. we
could see the remains of one of the
seven churches addressed By the apos-
tie John, in the first chapter of the
Revelations. and the tomb of Polycarp,
Bishop of Smyrna, by going to Ephe-
sus, even If we had time to reach
the steamer, we would fail to see, we
decided to make the best use of ouI
time in examining this oriental, com
mercial city. Finding that it was the
custom Of the country to ride on don
keys, we concluded to conform, and
hired three for thirty-seven and a hall
cents each, per hour. They were ca
parisoned with a saddle, stuffed to
ten inches thickness at its bow, and
seven at its ~cautle, with rope instead
of stirrup leather, q metallic stirrup,
and bead-embroidered breeching to
keep it from running forward in the
descent Of hills. The head stall was
also deliberately worked with beads,
but terminated In a rope, which is
held IN the hand while riding, there
being no bit in the mouth. To urge
them forward, a small piece of pointed
iron, having five links attached, is
used sometimes as a goad, at others
by rafting the chain links. When
cantering or pacing, the gait is pleas
ant, but usually the animals are rather
lazy, requiring q good deal Of corporal
coercion.
Thus mounted, oar guide in the
lead, we assembled the high hill in
rear of the city. and reached the
place shown as the tomb Of Polycarp.
1t is In a small Turkish graveyard,
and seemed highly reverenced by all,
as we found Mahommedan women
there with portions of the clothing
from sick relatives, that the homes Of
the saint might effect a cure. They
keep candles constantly burning al
the tomb. Immediately adjoining are
the evident remains of the stadium in
which Polycarp is Supposed to have
suffered ~martyrdom.
On the summit are remnants of q
once powerful fortress, and of q