TO THE PLAIN OF TROY. 
30 
The entrance to the canal of the Hellespont, from the sea of 
Marmora, although broader than the Thracian Bosporus, has 
not the same degree of grandeur. Its sides are more uniform* 
less bold, and are not so richly decorated. The only pic 
turesque appearance is presented by the European and Asiatic 
castles, as the straits become narrower. Before coming in sight 
of these, the eye notices a few houses and windmills, belonging 
to the present vil]age of Lamsaque , which are all that remains 
of the ancient L'ampsacus. The wine of the place no longer 
retains its pristine celebrity. 
We came to anchor about three miles above the castles. I 
went on shore* and walked to the town of Dardanelles. In 
my way, J observed the shafts of several pillars of granite ; some 
©f these had been placed upright ip the earth, m posts, on which 
to fasten vessels 5 others were dispersed and neglected, lo the 
recess of a small bay, before reaching the town, is the best situa¬ 
tion for viewing the narrow part of the strait, where Xerxes is 
believed to have passed with his army; and here the two castles 
have a very striking appearance, Tournefort objects to the 
story of Leander’s enterprise, reasoning on the impossibility of 
a maids swimming so great a distance as that which seperated 
Abydus from Sestus. The servant of the imperial consul at 
the Dardanelles performed this feat, more than once, in a much 
wider part of the straits, passing from the Asiatic side to the 
European castle; whence, after resting himself a few minutes, 
he swam back again. 
When we arrived, we found all the shops shut. The Turk¬ 
ish fleet had passed the day before; and the greatest tenor 
prevailed among the inhabitants, who upon those occasions are 
exposed to plunder from the promiscuous multitude of barbarb 
ans, drained from the provinces of Anatolia to man the fleet. It 
often happens that these meo have never seen the sea, until 
they are sent on board. Whenever the fleet comes to anchor, 
they are permitted to go ashore, where they are guilty of the 
greatest disorders. The capudan pacha himself told me that 
it was in his power to bring them to order, by hanging ten or a 
dozen a day; “but then,” said he, “how am I to spare so 
many men ?” 
The wine of Dardanelles is sent to Constantinople, to 
Syrmna, to Aleppo, and even to England. It will keep to a 
great age, and, if the vintage be favourable, is preferable to that 
of Tenedos. Both sorts are of a red colour. That of the 
Dardanelles, after it has been kept twenty or thirty years, loses 
