128 A MERCHANT PRIEST. 



required for the performance of church duties, 

 he evidently held the good opinion and regard 

 of the Turkish peasantry in the neighbourhood, 

 a party of whom generally joined him to smoke 

 their evening pipe in front of the monastery. 

 The revenues of the church doubtless added 

 considerably to his coffers. His being a mer- 

 chant brought those to it who were the most 

 likely to add to his store ; for no Greek sailor 

 could visit the shrine of St. Nicolo without offer- 

 ing a donation to secure the protection of his 

 patron saint, and ensure prosperity during the 

 forthcoming voyage. Following the example of 

 others, we each put ten piastres in the hand 

 of the priest, as a donation to the church. Our 

 surigees, Nicolo and Georgio, did the same ; but 

 Pagniotti, who was no way well-disposed toward 

 the clergy, thought the money better lodged 

 in his own pocket than with either parson or 

 church, and gave nothing. At sunset we were 

 invited to the evening service. Bells being 

 forbidden by the Turks, a dull monotonous 

 sound was produced by a little boy hammer- 

 ing for a few moments at a long plank, sus- 

 pended free by a cord from a corner of the 

 church. A piece of iron is, however, more ge- 



