726 
BOLI, ANCIENT HADRIANOPOLIS. 
of my object would not allow me to explore its relics farther, than 
what I could see in a passing glance. Thus looking about, I per¬ 
ceived, in many places, fragments of finely wrought marble, which 
must have composed mouldings and other classic ornaments. I 
also discerned numerous specimens of the demi-column mentioned 
before, rising amidst the Mahomedan tombs in the city bury ing- 
grounds. The population of the town, according to the report 
given me, amounts to 5000 persons, 8000 of whom are Greeks 
and Armenians. A few miles to the southward a mineral spring 
rises, which is in high repute with the Turks for its medicinal 
properties. 
November 25th. — On issuing from our quarters this morning, 
the rising sun unfolded to us one of the most extensive and 
richest valleys I had yet seen from Thermodon to Parthenius. 
Cultivation spread over its whole surface, and covered the slopes 
of every hill projecting from the base of the mountains ; the 
summits and sides of which were clothed entirely with forest. 
I cannot better describe the vale to my countrymen, than by 
saying it presented in one view the mingled beauties of our 
Devon and Somersetshire. Having ridden about five miles 
through this delightful country, it brought us to the bank of a 
rapid stream flowing to the south-west, and thence we entered 
the region of forest. I had traversed many tracts bearing that 
name, in our way hither ; but I had never seen such gigantic 
sylvan scenery as that into which we now immerged; such 
seeming impenetrable depths, extending over a chain of mountains 
that seemed interminable. Every kind of the finest trees Were 
here, and of every age and growth, in thickets, or in glades ; 
rising up into the most towering heights, and with stems of cor¬ 
responding magnitude. From this bounteous treasury of nature, 
