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ON THE VALE OF TEMPE. 



[flF MR. HAWKINS.~] 



1 ke Vale of Tempe is generally known in Thessaly by the name 

 of the Bogaz. * 



It is a pass of great natural as well as political importance ; for it 

 affords an outlet for the accumulated waters of a large province, and 

 forms the only road into it ; the pass by Velestin (the antient 

 Pherae) excepted, which is not exceedingly difficult. 



It has therefore been celebrated in all ages as the scene of great 

 events ; and has excited in modern times no small degree of 

 curiosity. 



And yet, in spite of its superior claims to our attention, I 

 know few objects in this part of the world which have been so 

 seldom visited or described ; and I recollect no traveller before 

 myself, who has deviated from his route, and made an excursion on 

 purpose to view it.-f- 



This circumstance may be ascribed, in some measure, to the wild 

 and insecure state of the country in which it is situated ; and in part, 

 to the excessive heats which prevail there during the summer and 



* In the middle ages it was called the pass of Lycostomo. The title of the bishop of 

 thed 



f Gyllius is, I believe, the first modern traveller who has visited Tempe. He says of it, 

 " Vidi Pcnei ripas, quas amoenas efficiunt ilia nobilia Tempe Thessalica, in nemorosa 

 convalle inter Ossam et Olympum sita, per quag media Peneus viridis Jabitur, amcena, ut 

 dicuntur, sed angusta et brevia, undique montibus in altitudinem immensam elatis 

 coarctata, ut terror adsit praetereuntibus." — De Bosph. Thr. lib. i. 



