Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23

is ancient Chios. famed Of yore for its
early development Of the arts. Far away
to the right 10 Gyaros one OF the convict
islands to which criminals were banished.
by its pottery, to the philosopher as the
birthplace OF Pythagoras. Further is Mile
tos, with its galaxy OF early thinkers, yet
better known to many as twice visited by
the apostle Paul. Southwark lies Leros.
about whose people Strabo quotes q mis-
chievous epigram by Phocylides;
The Lerians are bad;
Not some but all except Procles;
And Procles II a Lerian!
So on passed our Greek vessel, winding
in and out through q region of ruins on
countless islands OF lesser fame and stern
er beauty, homes Of piracy. history and ro-
nance. of passions as volcanic as their
origin.
The result of recent excavations on Pat
mos put the isle in quite new light; linked
at once with the most famous Of Greek
legends and one OF the chief goddesses.
One inscription tells about the worship of
the Virgin Deer Hunter, otherwise known
as Diana OF the Ephesians; another in
scription records a resolution passed by the
Society of the Torch Bearers, who betrayed
the expenses OF the gymnasium and or
ganized the long race. These inscriptions
tell us more Of the condition OF things on
Patmos than all the mainland authors. 1t
is clear that the chief thing was the wor-
ship Of Artemis. who is claimed as special
ly connected with the place.
We cast our shank at the port Of Skala
Nova, near the ancient harbor Of Ephesus.
from which st. John sailed for Patmos. In
the cleaning Bird Island seems to sleep at
night upon the summer sea like some huge
monster. a dark mass against a mooniess
sky. Some such rock would in spire the old
legend Of Perseus freeing Andromeda by
freezing into stone the dread monster COM
ing for Its prey. In these seas such fables
seem almost credible. Musing on the last
night before landing on Patmos, however.
the classic myths fade away and the sacred
associations regain their power. Late that
night We hauled up anchor and put to sea-
At last the dream of my boyhood days is
fulfilled; at least the longing of my college
days Is at a climax: at least after the
heats Of Pygmy Land and the cold OF 81
beria the perils Of quarantine and the sea;
at last near the port of Patmos!
The temple OF Artemis on the island
lasted until 1883 A. D.. when a Christian
colonist threw down the idol, whose pedes-
tai may yet be seen in the middle Of the
citadel. So many sacred and holy spots
are doubtful, and the sights shown are
questioned by the learned; but here at least
there Is no competing place. Whoever for
q moment thought that any other island In
this archipelago was the residence Of the
apostle John. Indeed, we now have the
history OF the Island Of Patmos from $40
B. c. through the time Of the Amazons
down to the present.
During my long Journeys In many lands
1t has been the privilege of these two eyes
to look upon scenes OF enhancing beauty
The four most beautiful views that have
been presented to my gaze are as follows
the best last: 1. From the top OF the unfin-
ished pyramid Geizh. looking over the sands
Of Sahara, with light falling from a full
moon hung high in the sky. 2. Prom the
summit of Mt. Wansfels In the English
lake district. 3. From the top OF Mt. Nebo
In the land OF Moab, where one sees almost
to Bersheba In the south and to Mt. Her
mon far in the north covered with the per-
petuaf white OF eternal snow. 4. Last and
best, from the roof OF the monastery OF st.
John, situated on the lip OF an extinct era
ter looking out over the three colored
Erean sea. and the fantasticaily shaped
island OF Patmos. This view II unmatched
and % worth journey across two seas.
There - nothing In sacred or profane his