Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 9*
o'clock, when we took our leave, and proceeded to the beach near
Abydos, whence we went on board the transport.
During our stay, Mrs. Koehler was in the Harem We learned
from her that Adam Oglou's wife was very richly dressed, and car-
ried about her a profusion of diamonds. Mrs. Koehler was attend-
ed by the wives and female relatives of the consul.
During the night it blew a strong gale from the southward, with
thunder, lightning, and heavy showers of rain. At eight o'clock
in the morning of the 20th, we got under way, and sailed from the
Dardanelles, saluting the forts as we passed, and receiving from
them in return a like number of guns. A fresh breeze springing up
from the north-west, we passed the lowest fort, Koum Kali, be-
tween nine and ten o'clock, and by half past eleven were opposite
the castle situated in the island of Tenedos. At half past six in the
evening we passed the island of Mitijlene, amidst a smart squall of
wind and rain: at that time the islands of Scio and Nicaria were
in
sight. The effect of the setting sun was extremely fine, the
rays, which were of a beautiful rose colour, resembling
those we
had on a former occasion noticed off Sicily.
During the night we passed the island of Ipsera : and by seven
in the morning of the 21st were off the islands of Scio and Nica-
ria, having Samos in our view. By noon we had passed Nicaria,
a wretched island, which affords nothing but wood for charcoal,
to its half civilized inhabitants, who reside in caves. At two in
the for-
the afternoon wc passed Samos and the Fournis Islands :
mer is in one part extremely lofty, insomuch that it is considered
by some to have an elevation almost equal to that of Gibraltar.
At the above hour the island of Patmos was in
sight,
distant
from ten to twelve leagues. Being still favoured by a strong
breeze from the north-east, we were off the harbour of that
island between five and six o'clock in the evening; but, being obli-
ged to make several tacks in going in, did not come to an anchor
till an hour after.
Patmos has an excellent harbour ; and the town being situated
on the loftiest part of the island, makes a pretty appearance in en-
tering. The houses being constructed of a white free-stone, have
a peculiarly neat aspect, very different from what we had hitherto
seen in this quarter of the
globe.
It has been calculated that the
town has an elevation of five
nearly hundred feet above the level
of the sea. In its centre is a large convent dedicated to St. John
the evangelist, who was banished to this island. It was here that