348 
in the afternoon , at the landing place of Souaidie, upon 
the banks of the Orontes, at a short distance from the 
sea. 
The country which I had just traversed is delightful, 
intersected with mountains and valleys, and entirely 
covered with the finest vegetation, and most charming 
groves. The road, though bad, resembles rather the 
alleys in a well planted pleasure-garden, than a high- 
way. It is intersected at every step by streams of limpid 
water, brooks, or small rivers. The valleys are covered 
with gardens and plantations, among which I particu- 
larly distinguished the white mulberry, tree, which forms 
little arbours entwined with vines, pomegranate and 
other fruit trees. Numerous herds of cattle of all kinds 
covered the mountains, and part of the valleys. The 
majestic Orontes, enlarged by the waters of the Lake 
Caramort, and by innumerable brooks, flows gently in 
the midst of this charming landscape. In short, every 
thing in these delightful spots announces the vicinity of 
the abode inhabited formerly by the beautiful Daphne. 
The landing-place of Souaidie consists of five or six 
huts, and a small house inhabited by some custom house 
officers. 
I embarked in a sloop at seven o'clock in the even- 
ing, and arrived an hour afterwards at the mouth of the 
river. The sea was very rough, and the bar of the river 
covered with raging waves. The heavens were obscured 
by heavy clouds that covered the horizon. The sloop 
received some alarming shocks in traversing the bar, 
before it arrived at the ship, which was kept out at 
sea, from dread of nearing the land during the rough 
weather. 
We set sail the instant I was on board, although the 
wind was contrary. 
