Goodisson, William: A historical and topographical essay upon the islands of Corfu, Leucadia, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Zante: with remarks upon the character manners and customs of the Ionian Greeks : descriptions of the scenery and remains of antiquity discovered therein, and reflections upon the Cyclopian ruins, illustrated by maps and sketches (London: Thomas and George Underwood, 1822)

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the native, and it is a custom, as common as it is
in Italy, for parties to parade the streets at night,
serenading, and singing in concert with the guitar
and violin parts out of the finest Italian operas.
The plaintive Greek airs * too, have a pathos which,
in the stillness of the serene nights of this soft
climate, produce an effect that is indescribably
delightful. Many of the Italian songs are put into
Greek version with the original music: of these
Anima Mia, in Greek (Psiche moo), is one
of the most remarkable and the most beautiful.
Amongst the amusements of the modern Greeks,
the most manly and the most graceful is the
giostra. This is performed on horseback by run-
ning with a lance at a ring, which is suspended
over the horsemen at a convenient height. He who
carries off the ring upon the lance wins the prize.
Great preparations are made for this spectacle,
stages are erected for the umpires, and the prize,
which is usually a handsome sword or other appro-
priate gift, is conferred upon the winner, generally
by the head of the government. This is a truly
elegant amusement, and well worthy of imitation;
the spirit and condition of the island horses do not,
however, add much to its grandeur.
The dress of the Greek islanders is remarkably
* A specimen of a very favourite Romaic tune is given in the
Appendix (F). This is very much admired, and very beautifully
sung by the Greek ladies at Corfu. ,
P 3