Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt:...Athens was considered a potent charm for childless women. The belief may still be met with. The lovely purple colour which Hymettus turns at sunset is due to the reflected light rather than any local colouring. The mountain is almost entirely formed of bluishwhite marble, which is still quarried. The flavour of the still justly celebrated honey comes from the thyme with which the hillside is covered. It takes about '2 hours to walk to the top from Syriani. Then, instead of walking back, one can go on over the mountain down to the village of Korope, which takes another hour or so. From the village one can take the train back to Athens. The view from the top, especially over the Cyclades, is well worth the walk. PENTELICUS. Pentelicus is an easy and interesting excursion from Athens, and well repays the effort. The drive to Mendeli is very pretty, and the convent itself is beautifully placed, and makes a good halting-place for lunch, which must be taken with one. A guide may be had there to take one to the top, from which one obtains a fine view of Attica and the neighbouring islands, especially Euboea, as well as a bird's-eye view of the battlefield of Marathon. The quarries will take a little extra time, and one may see the marks of the ancient tools. Hewing out the marble was a laborious work done by slaves, as blasting was not known. There is also a stalactite grotto, with a chapel and a well. LAUEIUM. Laurium (Ergasteria) (British Vice-Consul, Spiridion Desposito) is 2J hours' distance by train from Athens. The train goes so slowly that one has a good view of the Mesogea as one passes. The little theatre at Thoricus is visible from the line. The town of Laurium itself is sometimes called Ergasteria, from the factories there. The ancient mines are now wor...