DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0103
ISLAND OF ZAKUNTHOS. 79
most interesting countries in the classic world. In the more im-
mediate vicinity was Zakunthos, with its hills of soft verdure, and
its plains of varied wealth; with the town, the fortress, the port,
and Mount Scopo, the ancient Elatos,1 towering above with its
pointed top. The Messenian and Arcadian mountains skirted one
part of the distant horizon with a faint and varying outline, while
the eye glanced on the peaceful shores of Elis, on the fertile plains
of Achaia, the rugged elevations of Locris, iEtolia, Acarnania, and
Epiros, covered with snow. The scattered Echinades, with the
islands of Ithaca and Cephallenia, powerfully attracted the at-
tention ; and the whole " Laertia regna,"2 with those regions of
ancient Greece, which are of the most general celebrity, and the
highest renown, were brought at once into the field of view.
There was ample gratification for the eye and for the mind.
The senate of Zakunthos having heard rumours of the yellow fever
prevailing in Italy and Spain, had issued an order that strict qua-
rantine should be performed by all ships arriving from the west; and
Sicily was included. We were permitted to go on shore to the health
office, but not to enter the town. Some others who were in quaran-
tine, were on shore at the time we landed ; and a guard separated us
from each other like a flock of turkeys, with a long white wand.
M/y letters were received by means of a split cane, and then smoked ;
and the money paid for provisions was put into a bowl of sea water,
before it could be received.
Every civility was shewn us by Mr. Wright, our consul at this
place, and Mr. Samuel Straini, brother to the English consul at
Patra. I am particularly indebted to Mr. Wright, for his informa-
tion, the result of his observations during his residence at this
island.
The population of the island, according to the best authenticated
estimate, amounts to about 40,000 persons, of whom, at least 17,000
1 Plin. Nat. Hist. b. 4. c. 12.
8 Virgil, iEneid. 3. v. 272, Sil. Italicus, b. 15. v. 303.
most interesting countries in the classic world. In the more im-
mediate vicinity was Zakunthos, with its hills of soft verdure, and
its plains of varied wealth; with the town, the fortress, the port,
and Mount Scopo, the ancient Elatos,1 towering above with its
pointed top. The Messenian and Arcadian mountains skirted one
part of the distant horizon with a faint and varying outline, while
the eye glanced on the peaceful shores of Elis, on the fertile plains
of Achaia, the rugged elevations of Locris, iEtolia, Acarnania, and
Epiros, covered with snow. The scattered Echinades, with the
islands of Ithaca and Cephallenia, powerfully attracted the at-
tention ; and the whole " Laertia regna,"2 with those regions of
ancient Greece, which are of the most general celebrity, and the
highest renown, were brought at once into the field of view.
There was ample gratification for the eye and for the mind.
The senate of Zakunthos having heard rumours of the yellow fever
prevailing in Italy and Spain, had issued an order that strict qua-
rantine should be performed by all ships arriving from the west; and
Sicily was included. We were permitted to go on shore to the health
office, but not to enter the town. Some others who were in quaran-
tine, were on shore at the time we landed ; and a guard separated us
from each other like a flock of turkeys, with a long white wand.
M/y letters were received by means of a split cane, and then smoked ;
and the money paid for provisions was put into a bowl of sea water,
before it could be received.
Every civility was shewn us by Mr. Wright, our consul at this
place, and Mr. Samuel Straini, brother to the English consul at
Patra. I am particularly indebted to Mr. Wright, for his informa-
tion, the result of his observations during his residence at this
island.
The population of the island, according to the best authenticated
estimate, amounts to about 40,000 persons, of whom, at least 17,000
1 Plin. Nat. Hist. b. 4. c. 12.
8 Virgil, iEneid. 3. v. 272, Sil. Italicus, b. 15. v. 303.