TOP OF MOUNT PINDUS. 133 



an Albanian generally wears, and over which 

 he throws his white capote. 



We proceeded some distance beyond Mezzovo, 

 and established ourselves for the night in a small 

 khan, deep in the snow, on the highest point of 

 the pass of the Pindus Chain. 



The ascent of the Pindus, on the Epirus side, 

 is magnificent, and, arrived at the top of the chain, 

 the traveller commands an extensive view over 

 Thessaly, in front of him, whilst, by turning his 

 head, he sees all Epirus in his rear. This is a 

 peculiarity in the Pindus which is not observable in 

 many mountain passes. The top is a ridge, a sort 

 of saddle ; so sharp is the ridge, and so sudden is 

 the descent on either side, that, reaching the sum- 

 mit after his eyes have been wellnigh wearied (if 

 such be possible), during the whole of his ascent, 

 with the endless variety, the extreme wildness, 

 and solemn grandeur of the scene he is leaving 

 behind him, the bold and craggy chains of moun- 

 tains, the sharp ridges, and pointed limestone 

 peaks, which, during his whole ascent, have been 

 continually rising in a never-ending succession 

 behind each other — after he has been contemplat- 

 ing with mingled feelings of awe and admiration 



