338 
ARZ-ROUM TO AMASIA. 
over a hot spring. In the little plains and vallies that now and then 
intervened we met with much vegetation. The acacia was in great 
plenty; with plants of every hue. At the end of the stage we saw 
the castle of Kuley Hissar , situated on the pinnacle of a very high part 
of the mountains. We ascended a very steep and intricate road, and 
from the summit saw in the deep valley extended at our feet, the 
beautiful village of Kuley Hissar. It consists of houses unconnected 
with one another, and scattered in a wood of every description, 
(particularly of fruit-trees;) the refreshing tints of which were ad¬ 
mirably contrasted with the arid surfaces of the surrounding heights. 
A little art would render the scene perfect. Streams of running water 
murmured in every part of this plantation; and an exhilarating breeze 
kept up a delightful temperature in the air. The situation however, 
girded close by high land on every side, was in itself much warmer than 
Carahissar , or any part of our preceding route. Here indeed we found 
the season for cherries expired; and we got only the vislma (sour cherry) 
and the white mulberry. The corn was generally approaching to a 
state fit for the sickle: and in some warmer exposures had already 
been cut. 
The fort at the summit was some years ago destroyed by Jussuf 
Pacha, (the present Grand Vizier, 1809) who found that the inhabit¬ 
ants of the neighbouring region were inclined to be turbulent and 
independent; a disposition which, I understand, is so little subdued, 
that they are now rebuilding their strong hold. To the port of Janik 
on the Black Sea, the distance from Kuley Hissar is not more than 
twelve hours. 
2d. July. We were obliged to hire our horses from this stage for¬ 
wards at four piastres each. The master of the Menzil Khoneh assigned 
as a reason, that this village paid more than others to the Miri, and 
was consequently relieved from the burthen of any stated establishment, 
and was not required to furnish travellers at the common rate. Not¬ 
withstanding therefore all our assertions that we were on the business 
