The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-08-21


iusula of Peloponesus we crossed the ca
nal cut through the Isthmus of Corinth to
connect the Gulf of Corinth with the
main body of the sea. This canal is three
and half miles long and one hundred
feet wide. The depth of water is twenty
six feet but in some places the cut of the
rock is over one hundred feet. The rail-
road bridge is two hundred and thirty
feet above the water. The purpose was to
facilitate shipping between the Adriatic
Sea and The Piraeus but on account of
the narrowness of the canal and the high
tolls it is nearly failure.
The port at the west entrance is Pose-
donia, named after the ancient mytholog-
ical god of the sea while not far from the
east entrance lies Cenchrea, mentioned
in the Acts of tie Apostles. Modern
Corinth, at which TIE train stops and
which is the principal city, lies about
three miles from the ruins OF the old city,
andlhas population Of about four thous-
and. 1t is only about forty years old.
The ruins of old Corinth lie at tho foot of
a very high and PERCEPTIONS hill called
the Acro-Corinth. This was, at one time,
citidel of great strength and the strong
stone walls in labyrinthine form are still
to be seen. 1t was here that Paul worked
so long preaching the Word, and for
livelihood wrought at tent-making with
Aquila and Priscilla.
The ride from Corinth to Patras was
| through a pleasing country with an abun-
dance of vegetation due to its proximity
to the sea. The houses were of bstter
construction and the people looked fairly
prosperous. Grapes and currants form
the stable products and are largely ex-
ported, especially the latter fruit, which
forms 80 per cent. of the total ex port of
Greece. Along the way are numerous
villages. Only an occasional isolated
house was seen. a high range Of hills,
or mountains ran parallel to the gull
some four or five miles back from the
shore. Sometimes we could see across
the water the hills of the main land,
Patras is city of about 10000 people
and the chief seaport OF all Greece. While
1t has some ancient historical events con-
nected with it there is none of sufficient
importance to Justify long stay here un-
less it be spring said to possess oracular
powers. Sick persons let down mirror
into the water, and according as the re-
Election showed the face of dead or a
living person could they Judge the prob
ability of their recovery. This fraud
does not date beyond the Middle ages.
We left Patras for Brindisi on boat OF
the Italian line, and if our experience on
ii is TO be taken as n criterion of all Ital
ian boats ] would not advise any to 20
that way. We had been on German,
English, Austrian boats and had nothing
but words Of the highest commentator
for them all IN every possible respect.
But these Italians did not seem to care
whether we rode on their boat or not.
The most fault we found was with our
mea!s-not the quality but the quantity
and the painful infrequence of them.
/ Two light meals and "snack" was all
they apparently intended we should
have day. As we had been used TO
different and better treatment elsewhere
we made it so warm for these fellows
that we finally got enough. This was not
the boat we had expected to take but on
account of the quarantine we had to take
what we could get.
We hoisted anchor at about 10 p. M,
and at Y m. next day were at Corfu on
the Island of Corfu one OF the Ionian
group. Here we had four hours and we
at once proceeded to make the best of our
time. About half of the party secured
carriages for drive Of six miles to the
Royal Palace of Elizabeth, Empress OF
: Austria, who, only few years ago, was
foully assassinated at a watering place in
Italy. The drive was over splendid
road, past the royal buildings, through a
magnificent country bearing every evi.
dence ofthrift. Grains of great variety
were growing in the fields while the hill
sides were covered with olive orchard,
orange, lemon, figs, and vineyards. The
numerous well kept villages and we
clad villagers spoke of the energy ant
ambition Of the people. The palace o
the Empress IS situated on high emf
nence overlooking much of the island or
the side and tie sea on the other. Every
foot of the grounds was utilized anC
beautified. Olive orchards grew on the
steep hillside to the very top, while all
around the palace, in the artisticaly laid
out garden, flowers Of rare beauty anC
fragrance pleased one. Fine statuary
adorned the garden and exterior of the
Palace while within were paintings and
frescoes Of great merit. All was chaslC
and indicated the home Of one with cul-
tured minds, good taste, refinement and
wealth.
The property is said 10 be worth ovei
six millions Of dollars, but has never beer
used since the tragic death of the En-.
press. King George is said to have his
eye on it but at present is unable to raise
the wherewithal TO make the purchase
His own house in the town Of Corfu is
cheap looking affair compared with this
Corfu is a city OF about $1,000 inhabi
tants and does not possess many attract
ions. The-ancient fortifications, lying
close by the harbor on an elevation, are
now going to decay. The streets are mar.
row, the houses are higher than usua
and are built Of stone. One of the places
we visited in TIE city was the church o
st. Spiridion. In this church is large
silver coffin, richly ornamented, contain
ing the remains Of the saint whose
name the church bears. During the Dio.