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was ingeniously disposed for its reception, a small trench branching out over the whole area, and each bed having its furrows, with the plants standing on their edges. The current enters at a hole in the wall, and the gardener attends and directs it with his spade or hoe; damming across the general communication to turn it into the parterres, and conducting it about until the soil is saturated.*

When it happened that the springs were dry, or the allowance not sufficient, the necessary fluid was raised by a machine, as in the orange-orchards of Scio. It is a large broad wheel furnished with ropes, hanging down and reaching into the water. Each rope has many cylindrical earthen vessels, fastened to it by the handles, with bands of myrtle or of mastic. This apparatus is turned by a small horizontal wheel, with a horse or mule blinded and going round, as in a mill. The jars beneath fill, and arrive, in regular succession, at the top of the wheel, when they empty, and return inverted to be again replenished. The trough, which receives the water, conveys it into a cistern to be distributed, at a proper hour, among the drooping vegetables. A like engine is in use in Persia and in Egypt.†

Above the corn field the mountain rose, brown and arid; the wild sage and plants crumbling when touched. In the side are narrow retired vales worn by torrents, and filled with spontaneous evergreen, thickets of myrtle in blossom, and groves of calo-daphne or oleander, the boughs then laden with flowers of a pale red colour. Amid these a slender current trickled down a rocky precipice, like tears, to invert the poet's simile,‡ from the eyes of sorrow. The slope afford

* See Homer, Il. '.

+ See Shaw's Travels.

+ Homer.

ed a pleasing view of our little village, and of the country; and from a summit may be seen part of the gulf of Smyrna. I discovered a goat-stand in a dale, on the top, when I was too near to retreat. The savage-looking shepherds called off, and chid their dogs, which were fierce and barked furiously. They were sitting at the mouth of a pen, seizing the ewes, and the she-goats, each by the hind leg, as they pressed forward, to milk them. Some of the flock or herd were often by the fountain below with their keeper, who played on a rude flute, or pipe.

Our house was two stories high; chiefly of wood and plas ter, which materials are commonly preferred, not only as cheap, but for security in earthquakes; the joists and nails swaying and yielding as the undulation requires. The lower story was open in the centre. On the right hand was a magazine, or store-room; and opposite to it, an apartment with old fashioned lacquered chairs. Between these our servants slept, on the ground. A door communicated with the offices, which were behind. The ascent to the upper story was by stone stairs, as usual, on the outside. The gallery extended the whole length of the front. It sheltered us from the sun, which darted fiery rays from a cloudless sky; and was agreeable as a place to walk and sleep in. We had three apartments, with wooden lattices to admit the air, while cool; and with shutters to exclude it, when inflamed. That in the centre was small. The end rooms, one of which we reserved for our meals, were large, with their doors opposite. The walls were all white-washed. Our furniture consisted of three or four broken or infirm chairs, a couple of unequal tables, and the utensils, bedding and baggage, with which we had travelled. We lay on boards placed on stools, and moveable.

We endeavoured by reducing our wants to as small a number as we could, to avoid communicating with Smyrna. Our village supplied us with fowls and eggs, and with flesh, as often as a cow was killed. The garden furnished a variety of articles, particularly a species of fruit called melinzane, and gourds, which are eaten stewed. But wine, candles, and many other requisites could be purchased only in the city; and for these a Turk was to be sent, as seldom as possible, with our provision chests on a horse. He unloaded in the court, received his pay, and left us without touching any person or thing. The chests were then washed with water and vinegar, and the contents exposed in the air, or fumigated as their quality directed. This was done before they were handled or used, with the most minute attention; and, as a check on negligence, generally under our immediate inspection.

The reader perhaps will imagine, that we tempted the Turk, to go on these errands, by the offer of a great reward; but we had no difficulty in procuring a messenger to Smyrna, even when the malady raged most, and appeared inevitable. Our market-man, who likewise served the other Frank families at Sedicui, did not once hesitate. Fear was overcome by a sentiment of duty, and of obedience to his law. He had liberty to avoid the infected city; but, if he entered, might not afterwards refrain. His hire was one piaster, or, about half a crown. The good mussulman persevered, and repeatedly underwent, for this trifling gratuity, such immediate risk, as the wiser European would not once incur, for all the treasures of the grand seignior.

Soon after our arrival at Sedicui, we wanted some articles from our apartments in the consul's house, for which my companions determined to go in person, escorted by a jani

zary.

It was dusk when they left the village. They arrived at night, and did their business; but one of our servants getting in liquor proved unmanageable, and detained them so long, that in coming back they met some Turks, who had been burying a corpse. The caution of the Franks is offensive to the Mahometans, as implying a distrust of the Supreme Being. The man was embroiled with them, and one striking him with a spade, he drew a pistol, and it was with difficulty a fray was prevented. Besides the danger on the spot, our general safety was deeply interested in his misconduct, which indeed was without excuse.

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We had

. Our confinement proved sufficiently irksome. some books and our papers with us, and full leisure for study or meditation. A very few kind visitants, among whom was Mr. Lee, called on us now and then, and inquired of our welfare, at a distance; condoling with us on the necessity of mutual estrangement, or relating the progress of the malady and its daily havock, which afforded but too much room for strenuous exertions of fortitude and resignation. The brightness and power of the sun, with the extreme heat of the air, made us seldom stir out, unless early in the morning, and in the evening. The languor of noon demanded sleep. The body, though arrayed as thinly and loosely as possible, was covered, during the day, with big drops of sweat, and dissolved, as it were, in a mighty and universal perspiration. Then followed a milder sky, lengthening shadows, and a gradual coolness, grateful and pleasing beyond imagination. Then was the comfortable hour for change of linen, and of apparel, to enjoy the garden, or to wander on the mountain. These privileges of our situation were not inconsiderable in their value, as some of our acquaintance testified, whose lot

it was to be pent up in the city, tormented by insects, drooping, and dispirited, with nothing to alleviate or divert their melancholy. The castle hill of Smyrna was an object plainly in view, in these our walks, and beheld not without emotion. The plague and death were busy near us, and the intelligence, which we received from the Franks and Greeks, was dreadful to hear. We had personal liberty, but it became more and more necessary to use it with extreme caution, by avoiding the near approach of any whom we chanced to meet, and all intercourse, which could produce danger or suspicion. The sun setting behind the summits of Mount Corax, left the sky serene, and stained with rich and varying tints. A chorus of jackalls ensued; and the cucuvaia or night-hawk flitted in the air

We found Sedicui free from the insects, which had molested us at Smyrna, except a few stray mosquitoes, and some of the small flies, which were very teasing; but the tettix, or cicada, in the day time, is extremely troublesome. It is a brown insect resembling a chafer, with wings much longer than its body, and thin like those of a fly. It sits on the bushes and trees, making with its wings, as is affirmed by Hesiod,* a very loud, ugly, screaking noise. When one begins, others join, and the disagreeable concert becomes universal; then a dead pause ensues; and then, as it were on a signal, it commences again. Dionysius of Syracuse signified his resolution to burn and lay waste the territory of a people, with whom he had a quarrel, when he said, that, if they refused to comply with his demands, their tettixes should sing on the ground.

We had excessive heat in the latter end of May, the wind

Εργ. καὶ Ημερ. βιβλ. β'. ν. 202..

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