The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-08-01
4 WESTERN GLANCE AT EASTEES
SCENES.
Tbe University of AtheBs-MOdern
Observation-Disclosures OF Saus
fOFini-Island or syria Smyrna
and the Tomb or ~POlYcaTp.
INp1AsA srArn UNIyERsIEY.. !

BLooHTNeTcN Ind, July q, 1901
EdItor Journal:
When about to leave Athens, l en-
deavored to arrange for a visit to the
volcanic Island of Sautorini; but as
will be hereafter seen, did not ac-
complish it. 1 saw, however, a good
many specimens collected there, and
obtained some interesting facts re-
gsrding its earlier history and present
appearance, chiefly while l was visit
ing
THE MUSEUM CO THE ATHENS UNI
vERsITY AND ITS PROFESSORS.
Propose, therefore, to give some
account of that extensive and in
structive collection, and afterwards
the facts obtained regarding the
volcano.
Having, through the kindness of
Mr.. StilIman, formerly Consul at
Crete, made the acquaintance of the
family Of Mr.. Tricoupi, formerly Greek
Minister at the Court of St. james,
his son, who takes an active part in
political life, very politely arranged
for me to meet the Professor of Ma
tural Science, Prof. Hercules Mitso'
poulos. That gentleman generously
gave me many hours of his precious
time, while he described his visit to
Sautorini, and while we examined the
fne collection, especially of fossils,
from the Tertiary (mostly Pliocene)
OF Pikermi, on the east spur of the
noted Pentelicos.
Those comprise the we'll preserved
heads and other portions of apes, the
ancient representative of the horse,
the hippari0n, especially the II. grG-
ciLe. several species OF ~rhinoceros.
bear, hyena, etc. The collection from
this source is very extensive and val
liable. and the arrangement in glass
cases is admirably adapted for their
inspection aud display. Many other
portions Of the museum are well rep
resented, the products Of Sautorini
arc abundant, besides supplies of ma
tive sulphur from the Island of Milos.
One portion is entirely devoted TO
the animals found in Greece, espe-
cIaIly the birds, and the number of
genera and species is truly astonish-
ing, The Professor is ably aided IN
this fine work by haviug an extreme
" skiIful taXidermist from Poland.
One department that particularly
caught my attention was the part rep
~resenting the stone age in Eub9a, now
NegrOpont, the hatchets, ETC., being
like those foucd among u North
American aboriginal remains.
MoDERN ATHENIANs, AND SOME OF
THEIR PECULIARITIES.
While wandering among the CORN
THAN columns of the Stou Of Hadrian,
examining the agora or market-place,
where the column with the tariff of
prices still stands, inspecting the re-
mains of the Clepsydra at the Temple
of the Winds, and the less ancient
Byzantine churches, in short, during
all our rambles In Athens and its
suburbs, to the places somewhat al
ready described, and to others, the
description Of which has been omitted
because previous visitors have so ably
detailed them, we closely observed
the peculiarities of manners, costumes.
and the like, ofthe modern Athenians.
Grapes and olives, being raised
around Athens, besides some cotton
and silk, also tomatoes and other veg
etables; all these, as we'll as wood,
may be encountered in the streets on
donkeys' backs, either in paniers or
on paek-saddles.
We met two funerals at different
times, the corpse in both instances
fully exposed to view and accompa-
MED by priests chanting and carrying
the host. candles, &c.
The Greek signs could not but
catch the eye, and / copied a few of
them as specimens of modern Greek;
our hotel rejOioed Ia a triple title en-
blazoned on its front, being Hotel of
Great Britain" Hotel de la Grande
Brltagne,- and AENODOCHE-
ION TIES BRETANIAS." The res
taurant where we tried to get a cup Of
coffee, but failed, hourishes under the
name of "KAPHENEION HE
ANATOLE;" over the apothecary's
shop, where we bought insect powder.
was printed the sign "PHARMA-
KEION;" and the barber whom we
~patronized, although from Sicily. had
over his shop the word "KOU-
REION."
nc CaAbSf OOAtaAulBR sometimes as
high as twelve goatskins filed with
wine, strike the eye as something orr
entail, and especially when driven by
men IN full Albanian costume.
But when we observe that the curb
stones and even the cutters of many
streets are fine white marble. we re-
eogniZe the fact that we are near
those isles and mountains of Greece
celebrated for their pure construo,
tive materials priced by the sculptor
and the architect.
THE PIRRUs.
This harbor of Ancient. as nj
Modern, Athens affords deep q1iet
water for shipping. At present thew
claim 10000 inhabitants, 1000 Of
whom are refugees from Crete, (Can.
dia), and have permanently located
themselves.
Taking a small sailing boat, [ wenI
outside the harbor. and rounding the
left point disembarked near the light
house, in order to visit the tomb oil
Themistocles. There, in the hard
rock, washed by every high tide, il
the Sarcophagus, where. ACCORDING
to tradition, rested the bones of that
talented and ambitious here. after he.
ing brought from Persia. Bv his
own wish he was buried where the
great sea fight began, which rendered
bis name and that of Salamis endur-
able as earthly records could make
them.
The broad foundations fourteen