560 



PANORAMIC VIEW OF ATHENS. 



singular form* ; A. B. is an inclined plane j the mouth B. C. is about 

 three feet in diameter ; steps lead to the bottom. 



I descended until heaps of stones and rubbish that choaked up the 

 shaft prevented my advancing beyond fifteen feet. We observed 

 some sepulchral chambers as we proceeded towards the city; and marks 

 of chariot-wheels worn into the rocky soil are to be seen on the road ; 

 they are about four feet and a half asunder. While I was examining 

 one of the wells, our guide Logotheti informed us, that lately some 

 person employed by him in cleaning out a well near his house, found a 

 bas relief in the soil at the bottom of it. This we afterwards saw ; it is 

 well executed ; and represents a warrior in a chariot drawn by horses ; 

 a winged Victory stands near him ; it was covered by a calcareous in- 

 crustation ; but was afterwards cleaned, and is now in Lord Elgin s 

 possession. 



The approach to Athens is rendered very striking by the sur- 

 rounding scenery ; on the left the plain is enclosed by a chain of 

 hills, part of Parnes and Brilessus; on the right by Hymettus ; and it is 

 terminated by the distant summit of Pentelicus. From the centre 

 of the plain, Mount Anchesmus rises majestically ; the Acropolis 

 is contiguous to it ; and at the northern side of its base are seen 

 the houses of the modern Athens. The summit of the Acropolis 

 is crowned with the remains of the temple of Minerva and other 

 religious edifices ; these, together with the Propylaea, must have pro- 

 duced in their entire state a sensation on the mind of a stranger 

 arriving from the Piraeus, most impressive and sublime.] — From Dr. 

 Hunt's Journal. 



* Dr. Clarke mentions the discoveries often made, at the bottom of the wells of Athens, 

 of vases and other monuments of antiquity. We may add that coins may probably be found 

 there, as in the time of civil wars money was concealed in them. Aristio, who had amassed 

 much wealth by plunder, hid it, we are told, in the wells of Athens. — See Athena?, lib. v. 

 c. 5. Schw — Ed. 



