ATHENS. 361 
soon as we had done this, we descended once 
more towards the Convent, where we arrived 
late in the evening, and immediately proceeded 
to Athens. 
The following day was attended by a singular 
adventure. We had agreed to spend the greater 
part of this day with Lusieri, among the anti- 
quities of the Citadel; and for the purpose, Mr. 
Cripps accompanied him to the Acropolis soon 
after breakfast. The author followed towards 
noon. About half-way up the steep which singular 
Adventure 
leads to the Propyltea, he heard a noise of that befei 
laughter and of many clamorous voices, pro- 
ceeding from a building situate in an area upon 
the left hand, which had the appearance of 
being a public bath. As it is always customary 
for strangers to mingle with the Moslems in such 
places without molestation, and as it had been 
the author's practice to bathe frequently for the 
preservation of his health, he advanced without 
further consideration towards the entrance, 
which he found covered with a carpet hanging 
before it. No human creature was to be seen 
without the bath, whether Turk or Greek. This 
was rather remarkable ; but it seemed to be 
explained in the numbers who were heard 
talking within. As the author drew nearer to 
