224 ATHENS. 
accustomed to regard with religious veneration, 
and had converted into a mosque. We con- 
fessed that we participated the Moslem feeling 
in this instance, and would gladly see an order 
enforced to preserve rather than to destroy 
such a glorious edifice. After a short time 
spent in examining the several parts of the 
temple, one of the workmen came to inform 
Don Battista that they were then going to lower 
one of the metopes. We saw this fine piece of 
sculpture raised from its station between the 
triglyphs : but the workmen endeavouring to 
give it a position adapted to the projected line 
of descent, a part of the adjoining masonry was 
loosened by the machinery ; and down came 
the fine masses of Pentelican marble, scattering 
their white fragments with thundering noise 
among the ruins. The Disdar, seeing this, 
could no longer restrain his emotions; but 
actually took his pipe from his mouth, and, 
letting fall a tear, said, in a most emphatical 
tone of voice, "TsAo?!" positively declaring 
that nothing should induce him to consent to 
any further -dilapidation of the building 1 . 
(l) This man was, liowe\er, poor, and had a family to support; 
consequently, he was uuahle to withstand the temptations which a 
little money, accompanied by splendid promises, offered to the neces- 
sities of his situation. So far from adhering to his resolution, he wa 
afterwards 
