106 
clarke’s travels. 
pastime might possibly have gi ven rise to tilts and tournaments. 
It is difficult to reconcile a passion for this martial exercise with 
the natural habits and indolence of the Turks. The two old 
pachas fought against the young bridegroom each party being 
at the head of a numerous band. The contest w 7 as often so 
severe, that we expected to see their eyes, if not their lives, sa¬ 
crificed. The manner of the engagement has been often de¬ 
scribed. It consists chiefly in a charge made at full speed, and 
an attack, by hurling short thick sticks, as javelins. Great 
dexterity is shown, both in parrying ofif these darts and in the 
display of equestrian skill Upon the day following that in 
which the combat took place, male camels were brought to fight 
with each other, during a concert of Turkish music. In this 
exhibition there was nothing curious nor diverting, except the 
extraordinary strengtli shown by these animals, when a female 
camel was brought before them. One of the camels, with half 
a dozen strong Turks endeavouring to restrain it, set off in full 
speed, overtook the female, and threw her down, notwithstand¬ 
ing all their efforts to the contrary. The festivity of the day 
ended with a scene of intoxication in the palace of the pacha of 
the Dardanelles, who is much addicted to drinking. When 
commotions arise, or there is reason to fear a visit from the 
Capudan Pacha, who comes occasionally to levy contribution, 
he retires to his little villa in the recesses of Mount Ida: here 
lie gives full scope to his love of drinking; having conveyed 
with him his concubines, musicians, dancers, and gamekeepers; 
and being also attached to the sports of the field. 
The late Mr. Willis left at the Dardanelles, two marbles, 
with inscriptions, which are now in the possession of the custom¬ 
house officer. These were offered for sale to us. Mr. Willis 
found them in Troas, and, I believe, in Alexandria Troas.— 
One of them had been the capital of a pillar, and was convert¬ 
ed by the Turks into a mortar; the other exhibited only a 
broken mass of marble, of an irregular form. Upon the first I 
lead, 
FORTISSIMOETINYICTISS 
IMOCAESARIDNGALER 
AYR . YAL . MAXIMIAJSTO 
FRINClPJ IYBENTYTIS 
This inscription belongs to the latter end of the third century 
