ISLAND OF PATMOS. 57 
the edge of a vast crater, sloping off, on either CHAP. 
side like the roof of a tiled house. Perry has 
compared it to "an asses back;" upon the 
highest ridge of which stands the Monastery 1 . 
The inhabitants, therefore, have no space for 
exercise, either on foot or on horseback: they 
can only descend and ascend by the rugged 
path that leads to the harbour. On one of 
the towers of the Monastery, a look-out is 
regularly kept for the pirates ; the view here 
being so extensive, that no vessel can approach 
the island without being perceived. We re- 
turned, to enjoy the prospect from this place. 
The sight was extremely magnificent; as may 
be conceived by any reader who will judge from 
the appearance exhibited by the island itself, 
and by this Monastery, at the distance of six 
leagues at sea 2 . We commanded the whole 
Island of Amorgos, which is nearly forty miles 
from the nearest point of Patmos*; and were 
(1) Perry's View of the Levant, p. 483. Lond. 1743. Tnurnefort 
makes the same comparison with reference to another island, that of 
St. Minca: " Elleest faite en dos d'ane." Viyage du Levant, torn. II. 
Lett. x. p. 150. Lym, 171?. 
(2) See the former Section, VoL II. of the Quarto Edition, Plate 
facing p. 194. 
(3) Thirteen leagues, according to the Chart of D 'Anville, pub- 
lished at Pari t October 1756. 
