438 ISLAND OF COS. 
CHAP, a few more appeals and repulses, bows, protes- 
«w— V ' tations, and grimaces, we were forced to return 
without having accomplished the object of our 
mission. 
During four days that we were detained 
upon the island, we renewed our search after 
antiquities, and particularly after Inscriptions. 
We had every reason to believe that remains of 
this kind might be found within the Castle; but 
our entrance was, as usual, strictly prohibited. 
The Consul himself had never obtained admis- 
sion ; so cautious are the Turks in preventing 
foreigners from inspecting their fortifications. 
We ventured, however, upon the drawbridge 
which crosses the moat on the land side ; and 
as we drew near to the gateway, observed, 
above the entrance, six masks', of the most 
Aiitient exquisite sculpture: some of these were repre- 
Sculpture. ^ ^ 
sented with beards. We saw, also, very dis- 
tinctly, the letters of a Greek Inscription on 
each side tff the enitrance^ 
(1) A part of the/j7e;e mentioned in the former Section of these 
Travels, Vol. JII. Chap. VII. p. 26S, Note (l). 
(2) As neither of these Inscriptions has been observed or published 
by Spon, or any other former traveller, no apologry is nece^^sary for 
their insertion here. It may be said, that, a more methodical distri- 
bution of the subject of these Travels would ha\e required their intro- 
duction into the account of Cos, as it was published in the former 
Section : 
