TO THE BISHOP OF DURHAM. 197 



hope to have the pleasure of subjecting to Your Lordship's perusal 

 upon my return to England ; an event that I own I long for most 

 ardently. We leave this place to-morrow and proceed to Athens by 

 sea, as in the present unsettled state of this country it is impossible to 

 attempt to prosecute our journey thither by land. Indeed the passage 

 by sea is not over secure, as most of the bays swarm with pirates, 

 (from whom we have already had two very narrow escapes,) but as 

 our vessel is of a pretty large size I trust we shall not be exposed to 

 any real danger. By this arrangement, I am obliged to give up all 

 thoughts of examining the monasteries of the Peneus, (which I had 

 projected,) as well as the sight of the vale of Tempe. But as every 

 person here declares that the roads are unsafe, I am obliged to submit. 

 I shall however be able to visit the isle of Delos, (the only one of 

 any consequence in the Archipelago which I have not seen,) and to 

 get more expeditiously to Athens. After spending a little time at 

 Athens I mean to proceed to Malta, and from thence, (as I have 

 small hopes that an Englishman can travel with any safety through 

 Italy and over the Continent,) immediately home. 



I. D. C. 



