AMASIA TO CONSTANTINOPLE. 
36i 
horizon. We traversed its shores for nearly three hours, passing lands 
the fine projections and woods of which reflected in the w r ater below the 
most beautiful pictures. 
Sabanja is a place situated in a very thick wood, and notorious 
equally for the impudence and the independance of its inhabitants. 
We were not long detained at the post-house; and departed for Ismid , 
hoping to reach it before the close of night, as the road w r as reported 
unsafe after a certain hour. Although it was too dark to analyse 
the beauties of the plain towards Ismid , yet the general outline of the 
country was sufficiently discernible to impress me with an idea of its 
beauty and magnificence: and something also I gained by the solemn 
and dubious light of evening, as it softened and harmonized the whole 
landscape. 
It was, however, entirely dark when we crossed the long causeway 
that leads into Ismid. The plain was here and there illumined by the 
fires of the caravans that had encamped for the night. We put up at 
the coffee-house adjacent to the post, and early in the morning departed 
for Gevisa , distant nine hours. Ismid is a large town most delightfully 
situated on the declivity of the mountain bordering on the branch of 
the sea, that forms its deep and beautiful gulph. In my rapid progress 
I could just ascertain that the place contained some well-built houses, 
and some in situations that must have commanded fine and extensive 
views of all its scenery. The water is so girt around with high moun¬ 
tains that it appears a great lake; but the imagination is soon unde¬ 
ceived by remarking the large boats which navigate it, and which I soon 
recognized to be those of Constantinople and the Bosphorus. My anxiety 
to reach the end of my journey was now increased; and I stopped not 
to examine the antiquities of Ismid * 
At about four hours from Ismid , having in many parts of the road 
paced the shores of the sea, we reached a small village situated on the 
'■* The ancient Nicomedia 
