128 FROM THE COUNTRY OF THE CICONES, 
is alluded to by Sophocles\ concerning the sanc- 
tity of his little guest ; deeming himself lucky 
in being thus honoured by one of Joves mes- 
sengers. He told us, that the same swallow had 
annually visited him for many years, but that 
this year it came earlier than usual ; that it paid 
him handsomely for its lodging ; its presence 
being considered as a most fortunate omen, and 
customers being therefore attracted to his shop 
whenever the swallow arrived. 
seiymbi-ia. JanuaDj the \1th, we set out for Selyvria, the 
Selymbria of Herodotus^, distant three hours 
from Eshi Eregli. The termination bria, so 
common in this country, answered in the Thra- 
cian language to the Greek ITOAIS', and to the 
Celtic DuNUM. The old Roman military road is 
entire in many parts of the route : it is paved 
with black marble, resembling trap or basalt. We 
observed the remains of it during this and the 
preceding day ; and it may be traced hence, 
with great ease, the whole way to Constantinople. 
Moman fhc Small tumuU for marking distances also 
marks of ^ 
distance, occur with greater regularity, in pairs, one on 
(1) Sophocl. Elect, v. 149. p. 186. torn. 1, Paris, 1781. 
(2) Lib. vi. p. 341. ed. Gronov. 
(3) Trill Xs traXtaj Bf/'«f xa>i.6vfii»»s &^a:xirri. Strabotl. Geog. lib. vii. 
p. 462. ed. Oxon. 
