DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0576
Chap, xxx.]
ARRIVAL AT SMYRNA.
543
ceous and calcareous conglomerates resting against the
scaglia of Mount Tar tali, we descended into the plain of Sedi
Kieui, where the river Meles takes its rise, and after follow-
ing it for some distance, crossed it below Sedi Kieui. It
was now almost dry, and a few plants of oleander and Ag-
nus castus were growing along its deeply furrowed banks,
as we descended into the lacustrine basin of Budjah.
Before reaching the mills of Megalos Paradeisos we passed
a large burial-ground covered with broken columns and
large marble blocks, amongst which I searched in vain for
inscriptions; we soon reached the custom-house, whence,
after a little delay, we were allowed to proceed, and before
twelve I had the pleasure of finding myself once more com-
fortably established in my old rooms at Madame Marracini's,
with the additional satisfaction of receiving a large packet
of letters from my friends in England, the accumulated
treasures of the last five months. The accounts of the state
of the plague at Constantinople were very alarming, the
deaths amounting to several thousands per week. This
was extremely discouraging, and filled me with uncertainty
respecting the future progress of my travels in Asia Minor,
as I had not yet learnt to look upon this fatal malady with
the same indifference with which it is regarded by the pre-
destinarianism of the Turks.
In one respect my arrival at Smyrna was particularly well
timed, for on the same day the weather broke up, and the
rain fell even before I was within the walls. I had been
extremely fortunate in such a long continuance of fine wea-
ther, which alone enabled me to keep my journal of time,
distances, and bearings, with any degree of regularity. I
could not have continued this guide during the rainy season,
and without it it would have been impossible to have
compiled the map of my route with that confidence in
its accuracy which I now feel, and which I trust will be re-
ceived as my excuse for the very minute topographical
details contained in this volume.
ARRIVAL AT SMYRNA.
543
ceous and calcareous conglomerates resting against the
scaglia of Mount Tar tali, we descended into the plain of Sedi
Kieui, where the river Meles takes its rise, and after follow-
ing it for some distance, crossed it below Sedi Kieui. It
was now almost dry, and a few plants of oleander and Ag-
nus castus were growing along its deeply furrowed banks,
as we descended into the lacustrine basin of Budjah.
Before reaching the mills of Megalos Paradeisos we passed
a large burial-ground covered with broken columns and
large marble blocks, amongst which I searched in vain for
inscriptions; we soon reached the custom-house, whence,
after a little delay, we were allowed to proceed, and before
twelve I had the pleasure of finding myself once more com-
fortably established in my old rooms at Madame Marracini's,
with the additional satisfaction of receiving a large packet
of letters from my friends in England, the accumulated
treasures of the last five months. The accounts of the state
of the plague at Constantinople were very alarming, the
deaths amounting to several thousands per week. This
was extremely discouraging, and filled me with uncertainty
respecting the future progress of my travels in Asia Minor,
as I had not yet learnt to look upon this fatal malady with
the same indifference with which it is regarded by the pre-
destinarianism of the Turks.
In one respect my arrival at Smyrna was particularly well
timed, for on the same day the weather broke up, and the
rain fell even before I was within the walls. I had been
extremely fortunate in such a long continuance of fine wea-
ther, which alone enabled me to keep my journal of time,
distances, and bearings, with any degree of regularity. I
could not have continued this guide during the rainy season,
and without it it would have been impossible to have
compiled the map of my route with that confidence in
its accuracy which I now feel, and which I trust will be re-
ceived as my excuse for the very minute topographical
details contained in this volume.