236 FROM THE HELLESPONT 
CHAP, forming extensive groves : and in the midst of 
these appears the town of Scio. 
Upon first entering the Straits, small objects 
do not interfere with the stupendous grandeur 
of the view. Mountains, high, undulating, 
sweeping, precipitousr inclose the sea on all 
sides ; so as to give to it the appearance of a 
vast lake, surrounded by that sort of Alpine 
territory, where the eye, from the immensity of 
objects, roams with facility over the sides and 
the summits it beholds ; surveying valleys, and 
precipices, and chasms, and crags, and bays; 
and, losing all attention to minuter features, is 
entirely occupied in viewing the bolder outlines 
of Nature. As we advanced, however, and 
drew near to Chios, the splendid picture pre- 
sented by that beautiful island drew all our 
attention, and engrossed it, from daylight until 
noon. It is the Paradise of Modern Greece; 
more productive than any other island, and 
yielding to none in grandeur. We passed close 
beneath the town, sailing pleasantly along its 
vineyards and plantations, and inhaling spicy 
odours, wafted from its cliffs and groves. The 
houses being all white, presented a lively con- 
trast to the evergreens which overshadowed 
them ; seeming like little palaces in the midst 
of bowers of citron, lime, olive, and pomegranate 
