MOUNT ATHOS. 



225 



of twelve stadia. We found that it had been much filled up with 

 mud and rushes, but is traceable in its whole extent ; having its 

 bottom in many places very little above the level of the sea ; in some 

 parts of it corn is sown, in others there are ponds of water. We 

 saw some ruins at that end of the canal which opens into the Gulf 

 of Athos, but our guides fearing that pirates might be lurking there, 

 prevented us from visiting the spot, where Uranopolis is supposed to 

 have stood. Here we saw a number of women in the fields weeding 

 the corn and singing ; the sight of female dresses, and the voices of 

 these sun-burnt daughters of labour were most pleasing after having 

 lived so long among the monks of Athos. At half past three in 

 the afternoon we reached Erissos, the ancient Acanthus, about thirty 

 miles from the convent of Chiliantari. The inhabitants are all 

 Greeks, except the Aga, and they would even be spared the presence 

 of this Turkish mayor or chief constable, if they would shew proper 

 deference to their own Protogeros or Codja-Bashee, whose sentences 

 would be disregarded unless enforced by the authority of a Musulman 

 officer appointed by the Porte. The country around appeared re- 

 markably well cultivated, and the sea view is beautiful. Maize and 

 rye are the principal crops, and all the agricultural labour except 

 holding the plough is performed by women ; they are Albanian 

 colonists, and very hardy and industrious. Their dress resembles 

 that of the women in the Highlands of Scotland, except as to the 

 ornament of the head-dress ; the hair being braided, and the crown 

 of the head covered with a little cap of scarlet cloth, on which is 

 sewed a quantity of small coins, presenting the appearance of scales 

 of fish. Their petticoats are short, and they wear neither Turkish 

 pantaloons, nor shoes, nor stockings. A square piece of cloth is 

 fastened behind the shoulders of those who are mothers ; and in this 



more strongly supported by historical testimony, than the making of this canal; and 

 Dr. Hunt's remarks are a valuable corroboration of the ancient accounts. The reference 

 to Belon, whose authority on the occasion is worth little, should be omitted in the next 

 edition of Mr. Mitford's excellent history.— E. 



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