PLAIN OF MARATHON. 37 
when they encountered the Spartans at 
Thennopylce, — the curious circumstance of a 
natural defile, exactly similar in either instance, 
should have tended so materially towards the 
renown acquired by the Greeks. 
The day was now far spent ; and, as the Return to 
evening drew on, we returned towards the village viiiTge*" 
oi Marathon, having completed our survey of the 
Plain. The climate in Greece, during winter, isde- 
lightful; and the winter months are the most pro- 
per for travelling in the country. The morning 
had been cloudy ; but before noon the sky be- 
came clear; and at sun-set it exhibited that mild 
serenity which our own Poets consider to be 
peculiarly characteristic of an English autumn*. 
It reminded us of that " even-tide" of the year 
which a late Writer^ has forcibly described as 
the season when '* we regard, even in spite of 
ourselves, the still, but steady, advances of 
time." And if there be a spot upon earth 
pre-eminently calculated to awaken the solemn 
sentiments which such a view of Nature is 
fitted to make upon all men, it may surely be 
(2) " No Spring or Summer's beauty hath such grace 
** As I have seen in one Autumnal face." Donve. 
<3) .^/«ott on Autumn, p. 327. Eefitib.lSlA. 
