The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-09-09

Bw cIent harbor of Athens, and
wv l was on deck early. Soon
after the familiar outlines OF
the Parthenon appeared in the dis,
tance, white structure sharply define
ated against the dark background OF
the Pentelicon. Peculiar as Is the
charm of the Greek landscape, it dwin,
dies into insignif1cance as against the
deep interest awakened by the old
myths and historical "reminiscences
connected with this sacred cradle OF
European civilization.
Approaching our harbor we left
several islands behind, among them
Aegina, where, seven centuries B. G.
a great step in civilization, the coin
age of the first silver currency, was
accomplished Close to the harbor lies
Salamis. What memories the view OF
the narrow stretch of water between
this island and the coast recalls!
Here was fought one of the decisive
irony of the times-a few weeks ago
took place an insignificant little re-
volt of part Of the little fleets of mod
ern Greece.
Trouble at Landing.
My contemplations were disturbed
by the rattle of anchor chains and a
noisy crowd of hotel runners, guides
and boatmen climbing at the same
time over her sides. Being closely
harassed, 1 made an end to the keen
competition for possession Of my bag
gage by turning it over to the agent
of hotel who had recognized me as
a former guest. got ashore in large
rowboat. The custom house formali-
ties were soon finished, and / engaged
a ilapidated-looking vehicle, the driv-
er Of which had proved himself to be
the best tackle in the wrangle for my
handbags. Although a short railroad
connects Piraeus with Athens, 1t Is by
far preferable to use a carriage, espe-
cially in the winter season, when the
landscape looks fresh and the road Is
not so dusty. The jehus are satisfied
with to drachmas, about half what
they originally ask, and one is well
repaid for the longer time occupied by
having in view, along the whole road,
alternately, the hill of the Acropolis,
Mount Lycabettus, and other interest
ing points Of the landscape. The car
riage road is also more interesting be-
cause it is almost identical with the
ancient walled road which the Athe-
mans built, centuries before Christ,
to protect their connection with the
sea- Of those two walls, however, not
a vestige remains today
Behind Slow Horses.
From my present experience would
recommend, though, careful examin-
alton of the horses of your convey
ance, else it may happen that the en-
try into Athens be accomplished I'M
der difficulties, such as 1 suffered. We
had hardly left Piraeus when I no
ticed that the distance between an
other carriage, which left at the same
time, and my own vehicle began to in
crease considerably. At first l did not
pay any attention to this until we
reached the narrow he'd of a small
rivulet, the historical Kephissu, which
crosses the road to Athens within
short distance from Piraeus. There
I remarked that the first carriage
had left us way behind and was just
disappearing behind clump of pop
lar trees.
I poked the driver in the ribs with
my umbrella and urged him to a fas-
ter pace. He shrugged his shoulders
and cracked his whip, but the pace of
his nags became steadily slower until
we reached, at last, the small tavern
on the right side of the road, halfway
to Athens, which is so we'll known to
most tourists who have visited
Greece. The drivers always stop here,
Ostensibly to water the horses, but in
reality to have their passengers pay
them glass vi Taki Or masticha.
Hero 7 Haticed that one of the
horses was fau-d Az bled from an
ugly wound in the knee. There being
no other conveyance for me, l urged
the driver. after treating him to gen
eroue drink, to wash snd lie up the