DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0162
134
AGHA OF TACMAC.
[CuAr. ix.
which extends to the south of Koula, and may be called
the commencement of Mount Tmolus. The ground sloped
away to the right, and the streams which escaped from this
elevated plain appeared to join the Hermus.
At half-past eight we reached the konalc of the Agha; a
miserable wooden building, in the middle of an extensive
court-yard, surrounded by a wall, which, from its massive
buttresses and crenelated parapet, had evidently been built
for defence. Hundreds of storks in undisturbed possession
had built their nests upon its ruined top, and with their
noisy clattering and constant fluttering added considerably
to the interest of the scene before us.
The Aghalik of Tacmac, though very considerable, is de-
pendent on the Pacha of Kutahiyah. The present possessor
was a favourite of the Hasnadar or Treasurer at Constan-
tinople, and I have seldom seen a man of more striking
personal appearance or more prepossessing grace of man-
ner; although liable to the imputation of affectation and
display, on account of the splendid pelisse in which he was
enveloped, which consisted of red cloth covered with gold
embroidery and brocade, lined throughout with the most
costly furs. He pressed us anxiously to stop with him for a
day, but my companion's business and Theodore's illness
rendered this impossible, and, as no horses were to be pro-
cured at Tacmac, he compelled our Surijis to take us on to
Koula, eight hours farther, with the condition on our part
of halting for the night at Aktash, a small village half
way between Tacmac and Koula.
Soon after leaving this place we ascended a low ridge of
schist and quartz rock with an almost vertical dip, the quartz
rock being occasionally stratified, apparently an altered
sandstone ; and having reached the summit, commenced a
long descent between wooded hills, and over many successive
ridges and valleys, as far as Aktash. For the lirst four or
five miles we followed the bed of a rapid stream, amidst
wild and picturesque scenery, which later in the spring,
with the trees in full foliage, must be extremely beautiful.
AGHA OF TACMAC.
[CuAr. ix.
which extends to the south of Koula, and may be called
the commencement of Mount Tmolus. The ground sloped
away to the right, and the streams which escaped from this
elevated plain appeared to join the Hermus.
At half-past eight we reached the konalc of the Agha; a
miserable wooden building, in the middle of an extensive
court-yard, surrounded by a wall, which, from its massive
buttresses and crenelated parapet, had evidently been built
for defence. Hundreds of storks in undisturbed possession
had built their nests upon its ruined top, and with their
noisy clattering and constant fluttering added considerably
to the interest of the scene before us.
The Aghalik of Tacmac, though very considerable, is de-
pendent on the Pacha of Kutahiyah. The present possessor
was a favourite of the Hasnadar or Treasurer at Constan-
tinople, and I have seldom seen a man of more striking
personal appearance or more prepossessing grace of man-
ner; although liable to the imputation of affectation and
display, on account of the splendid pelisse in which he was
enveloped, which consisted of red cloth covered with gold
embroidery and brocade, lined throughout with the most
costly furs. He pressed us anxiously to stop with him for a
day, but my companion's business and Theodore's illness
rendered this impossible, and, as no horses were to be pro-
cured at Tacmac, he compelled our Surijis to take us on to
Koula, eight hours farther, with the condition on our part
of halting for the night at Aktash, a small village half
way between Tacmac and Koula.
Soon after leaving this place we ascended a low ridge of
schist and quartz rock with an almost vertical dip, the quartz
rock being occasionally stratified, apparently an altered
sandstone ; and having reached the summit, commenced a
long descent between wooded hills, and over many successive
ridges and valleys, as far as Aktash. For the lirst four or
five miles we followed the bed of a rapid stream, amidst
wild and picturesque scenery, which later in the spring,
with the trees in full foliage, must be extremely beautiful.