694. 



GREECE. 



of Olympia, in which the Olympic games were celebrated ; here was the mugnificent temple of 

 Jupiter Olympus, containing the colossal statue of the god, 60 feet high, made of gold and ivo- 

 ry, by Phidias. Patras, the capital of Achaia, stands upon the shore of a gulf which bears its 

 name. It is the centre of the commercial relations of the Morea with the rest of Europe, and 

 contains 8,000 inhabitants. The monastery of Megaspilseon, in the neighborhood, is celebrated 

 for its riches, its fortifications, and vast vaults ; it contains 200 uicnks. Calavrita, to the 

 southeast, is a small town. 



Corinth, situated upon the isthmus of the same name, between two seas, once proverbial for 



M I'tti/i (_'iiriiitli. 



Its wealth and luxury, is uow^ an inconsiderable place, but is rapidly recovering from the 

 disasters of the war. Its citadel, or Acrocorinth. is a fortress of great strength. In the 

 neighboring district stand the ruins of the ancient Nemsea and Sicyon. 



Syra, on the island of the same name, is the capital of the Cyclades, and the principa 

 commercial place in Greece. The commerce of Turkey, Europe, and Egypt, with the whole 

 kingdom, centres here ; the almonds of Scio, the wines of Naxos, the grapes of Patras, the 

 oil and silk of the Morea, the wool of Romelia, the rice of Alexandria, *fcc., are collected in 

 its harbor, thronged Avith vessels. Here also the pirates, that long infested these seas, 

 disposed of their ill-got, but rich merchandise. Population, 25,000. 



14. Agriculture. The long oppression which this countr}^ has endured from its Turkish 

 masters, and the ravages of the recent war, have almost extinguished agriculture, notwith- 

 standing the fertility of the soil. The vine and olive have always been the most important 

 articles of cultivation. There are nine species of olives. Excellent wine is made in the 

 islands. The raisins of the Morea are much esteemed. Cotton was extensively cultivated 

 before the revolution. The sugar-cane and banana are raised occasionally. Oranges, 

 lemons, almonds, and figs, are produced of high excellence. Maize, wheat, and barley are 

 the most common grains. The plains of the Morea are well adapted to the culture of maize, 

 and readily admit artificial irrigation by canals from the rivers. But a small proportion of 

 the arable land is occupied, and the tools of the husbandmen are exceedingly rude. 



15. Commerce and Manufactures. The revolution nearly annihilated the commerce of 

 Greece, but it has somewhat revived, and the Greek marine now comprises about 1,000 

 vessels. The exports are fruit, oil, wine, dye-woods, gum. nut-galls, and drugs. There are 



