DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0089
Chap, iv.]
SEVERE WINTER.
61
during our absence the weather had been severe beyond all
experience. Snow had fallen in the streets, and the frost
had lasted several days, the effects of which had been most
seriously felt in the gardens near Smyrna and Bournoubat.
The principal crop of oranges had not been gathered, and
they were destroyed on the trees. One individual, who
possessed large gardens in the island of Scio, lost, as I un-
derstood, about 500,000 oranges. In return woodcocks had
never been so plentiful, and were driven by the weather
even into the gardens of the town. Two were shot in that
of Mad. Marracini, a strip of ground about fifteen feet wide
and forty or fifty long, situated in the very heart of the
city. The weather was still wet and unsettled, and we were
anxiously expecting the return of spring and sunshine to
commence operations in the interior; but after waiting some
time in vain, Mr. Strickland and I determined to take the
opportunity of paying a visit to Constantinople, where the
plague had ceased, and where weather was of less conse-
quence.
Accordingly on the 20th February we embarked on
board the " Crescent" steamer, anticipating a speedy pas-
sage to the Turks' terrestrial paradise. But on the follow-
ing day as we approached the mouth of the Dardanelles it
was blowing a gale down the straits, accompanied with snow
and sleet, which prevented our seeing anything of the coast.
As we entered the Dardanelles, keeping close along the
European shore, one large tumulus was alone conspicuous
on the opposite plain of Troy.
Notwithstanding the bad weather, several boat-loads of
Turks and Greeks came off at the Dardanelles to avail
themselves of the magic powers of a wheel-ship, as the
Turks call the steamers, in setting at nought both wind and
current. Nothing could exceed the noise and confusion of
their getting on board, boats knocking violently against
each other, and so crowded that we fully expected to see
them swamped, while the boatmen increased the terror
of their passengers by shouting and hurrying them, that
SEVERE WINTER.
61
during our absence the weather had been severe beyond all
experience. Snow had fallen in the streets, and the frost
had lasted several days, the effects of which had been most
seriously felt in the gardens near Smyrna and Bournoubat.
The principal crop of oranges had not been gathered, and
they were destroyed on the trees. One individual, who
possessed large gardens in the island of Scio, lost, as I un-
derstood, about 500,000 oranges. In return woodcocks had
never been so plentiful, and were driven by the weather
even into the gardens of the town. Two were shot in that
of Mad. Marracini, a strip of ground about fifteen feet wide
and forty or fifty long, situated in the very heart of the
city. The weather was still wet and unsettled, and we were
anxiously expecting the return of spring and sunshine to
commence operations in the interior; but after waiting some
time in vain, Mr. Strickland and I determined to take the
opportunity of paying a visit to Constantinople, where the
plague had ceased, and where weather was of less conse-
quence.
Accordingly on the 20th February we embarked on
board the " Crescent" steamer, anticipating a speedy pas-
sage to the Turks' terrestrial paradise. But on the follow-
ing day as we approached the mouth of the Dardanelles it
was blowing a gale down the straits, accompanied with snow
and sleet, which prevented our seeing anything of the coast.
As we entered the Dardanelles, keeping close along the
European shore, one large tumulus was alone conspicuous
on the opposite plain of Troy.
Notwithstanding the bad weather, several boat-loads of
Turks and Greeks came off at the Dardanelles to avail
themselves of the magic powers of a wheel-ship, as the
Turks call the steamers, in setting at nought both wind and
current. Nothing could exceed the noise and confusion of
their getting on board, boats knocking violently against
each other, and so crowded that we fully expected to see
them swamped, while the boatmen increased the terror
of their passengers by shouting and hurrying them, that