C A N D I A. 



Cwdia. This island enjoys a most delightful climate, equal- 



/ ly removed from excessive heat and violent cold. In 



summer, the rays of the sun are constantly tempered 

 ty refreshing winds from the sea ; and during the 

 short period of winter, which begins with December, 

 and ends with January, snow never falls on the low 

 grounds, nor is the temperature ever so low as to 

 require artificial warmth. During this season the 

 rains are frequent, but of short duration ; and though 

 the sky is sometimes obscured with clouds, and the 

 north wind blows violently, yet the sun appears al- 

 most immediately after the rain, and the atmosphere 

 is often clear and serene. Rain never falls ii> sum- 

 mer, either in Candia, or in the islands of the jEgean 

 Sea. Vegetation is supported by the copious dews 

 which fall during the night, and which sufficiently 

 refresh such plants as are indigenous to the climate ; 

 but all others must be watered, in order to be suc- 

 cessfully cultivated. Though Candia is situated un- 

 der the 35th degree of latitude, yet, in the course of 

 a year's observations, Mr Savary found, that from 

 the month of March to the beginning of November, 

 the thermometer never varied more than from twenty 

 to twenty-seven degrees above the freezing point. 

 But what conduces chiefly to the salubrity of Can- 

 dia, is the complete absence of those noxious va- 

 pours which rise from marshy grounds, and the abun- 

 dance of salutary plants. The waters never stand 

 here in a state of stagnation ; and scarcely is a mo- 

 rass to be found in the island. " The mountains and 

 hills," says M. Savary, " are overspread with vari- 

 ous kinds of thyme, and with a multitude of odori- 

 ferous and balsamic plants. The rivulets which flow 

 down the vallies are overhung with myrtles and lau- 

 rel roses. Clumps of orange, citron, and almond 

 trees are plentifully scattered over the fields. The 

 gardens are adorned with tufts of Arabian jasmine. 

 In spring, they are bestrewed with beds of violets. 

 Some extensive plains are arrayed in saffron. The 

 cavities of the rocks are fringed with sweet smelling 

 dittany. In a word, from the hills, the vales, and 

 the plains, on all hands, there arise clouds of exqui- 

 site perfumes, which embalm the air, and render it a 

 luxury to breathe it." This climate has been fa- 

 mous from the remotest antiquity ; and Hippocrates, 

 the father of physic, considered it the best restorer 

 of health to his debilitated patients, whom he sent 

 hither to breathe an atmosphere impregnated with 

 such delightful emanations. Under this genial sky 

 the Turks have acquired a taller stature, a more ro- 

 bust make, and a more majestic step, than their coun- 

 trymen on the continent ; and it has been matter of 

 surprise, that the natives, who enjoy the same bles- 

 sings of nature, should have degenerated both in 

 form and beauty. But the cause may be found in 

 the yoke of .that cruel slavery with which they are 

 oppressed, and which has a tendency to degrade the 

 body as well as the mind. They drag out their days 

 in fear and anxiety, and are sometimes hurried by 

 despair to put a violent end <to their existence. Their 

 countenances are disfigured with the marks of servi- 

 1'ty and meanness ; and the high-spirited Cretans, 



once the jealous guardians of liberty and the arts, are 

 now converted into cowardly, abject, and indolent 

 Candians. 



With the exception of the leprosy, diseases in this 

 country are very rare. The victims of this loath- 

 some disorder are driven from society, and prohibit- 

 ed from all communication with healthy persons. 

 They are generally confined to small cottages by the 

 high-way, where they live upon the produce of a 

 little garden, and the alms of passengers. 



The salubrity of the climate is equalled by the 

 fertility of the soil, which is capable of producing, 

 in the richest profusion, whatever can delight the 

 senses, or gratify the appetite. Among its sponta- 

 neous productions, besides innumerable fragrant 

 flowers and shrubs of the most brilliant colours and 

 dazzling variety, are myrtles, oleanders, walnuts, figs, 

 pomegranates, apricots, almonds, lemons, citrons, o- 

 ranges, olives, grapes, melons, and cucumbers. The 

 grapes grow here to a very large size, and afford ex- 

 cellent wine, which still preserves its ancient reputa- 

 tion, though it is not made in such quantities as for- 

 merly ; the inhabitants of many of the districts pre~ 

 ferring to carry their grapes to town, or to dry them 

 for trade. Homer praises the wine of Crete as the 

 best in the world ; and Jupiter drank no other nec- 

 tar during his stay in this island. All Candian wines, 

 however, are of a fiery quality, and apt to fly quick- 

 ly to the head, and to injure the nervous system. 



At the foot of Mount Ida, and on the hills in 

 the vicinity of Canea, grows a species of rock-rose, * 

 which yields ladanum, or, according to the ancient 

 Greeks, ledon, a resinous substance used for per- 

 fumes, and the preparation of certain drugs. It is 

 gathered from the leaves of the plant in the hottest 

 time of the year, and during the greatest heat of the 

 day. Great quantities of it are consumed in the 

 East ; and it is a considerable source of employment 

 and profit to the peasants of Caudia. Forests of 

 pines, cedars, and firs crown the summits, and cover 

 the declivities of the mountains ; and afford an inex- 

 haustible source of materials for ship-building. The 

 coasts abound with fish. The plains are well stock- 

 ed with plenty of gam*, particularly red partridges 

 and golden plovers ; and the groves and gardens are 

 filled with a variety of singing birds, among which 

 are the linnet, the nightingale, the petty-chap, the 

 gold-finch, the bull-finch, the lark, and the thrush. 

 This last mentioned bird is taken in immense quanti- 

 ties, by the peasants, in the winter season, and car- 

 ried to market. But the most melodious and valu- 

 able is the solitary black-bird, f which inhabits the 

 summits of the mountains, and fills the desert with 

 its music. It is called by the Greeks, petro-cockiso, 

 f( bird of the rocks ;" and by the Turks, kajabout- 

 bowl, " nightingale of the rock." It is in great re- 

 quest throughout Turkey, for its charming melody, 

 and is seldom bought for less than a hundred dollars. 



But in this rich and delightful country, where 

 the soil requires very little labour from the hand 

 of the husbandman, to produce in profusion the ne- 

 and even luxuries of life, the Candian 



Caridia. 



.* Cistvi ladaniftrus, Linn. 



J- Le Merle solitaire, BuffTurdus rycmvt, Linn. 



