was fo choked with mud and weeds at the entrance that it was with confiderable difficulty any of the boats could approach the shore, many of the larger kind grounded at some distance, and, to my mishap, that in which I was: we were in confequence obliged to wade to land with the water and mud up to our middles. The people now discovered another and worse difficulty in their way: the fields on each fide of the mouth of this river (I understand in ancient days it was called Anapus) produced a great abundance of hemp, which is steeped in the river as foon as cut, and there left to foak; this operation renders the water pernicious to the health, as well as horribly unpleasant to the smell and taste. The mode adopted to obviate this difficulty, was rolling the empty casks through the fields to where the waters were uncontaminated; this was found to be beyond a bridge about a quarter of a mile up the river, and here they were foon filled and floated down to the boats. Another, and more convenient watering place, was foon discovered; it was fituated near the town, and supplied by means of water courses from an aqueduct some distance up the country. Here, by the able management and exertions of Captain Troubridge, the needful fupplies were foon obtained. While he saw that the parties employed in filling the water-casks did their duty, he also negociated with the people of the country for bullocks, sheep, and other stock, which were foon brought down in great profufion, and an ample store of fresh provisions supplied to all the ships of the fleet at a reasonable price.

Landing-place at Syracuse.

London: Pub. by I. White Fleet Street 1801.

In the afternoon, the landing place at the gate of the city was a scene of much gaiety and show; the boats from the fleet pulling in towards the fhore, the crowds that lined the ftrand, the long range of carriages in which the principal nobility of the place came to view the British fleet, the gaudy liveries of their fervants, with the variety of dreffes which every where presented themselves in the appearance of the several orders of the people, formed so pleasing an assemblage, that I was induced to make a drawing on the spot, which is annexed. On the left hand of the foreground is a baftion of the fortification on the walls; and a little further on is feen the great gateway, from whence extends a length of wall which terminates in the fort commanding the entrance of the harbour.

The town which now exifts, is built on what was formerly called the island of Ortygia. At the time when Syracuse was reckoned one of the first cities of the world, it was only the citadel or caftle of Dionyfius; but then contained many buildings of eminence. Now it exhibits a melancholy contraft to its former grandeur, the ftreets being in general meanly built, and fo narrow that two carriages cannot pass each other with fafety; and the eye is offended at every turn, with the moft deplorable objects of poverty, filth, and misery. Among the most eminent buildings that adorned this quarter of the ancient city, was the Temple of Diana, of which I saw no remains; but of which, according to De-Non, a small veftige is

E

to be found in an obfcure house in a by-ftreet called Refalibra.

The Temple of Minerva owes its preservation to Agio, the tenth bishop of Syracufe, who converted it into a cathedral, and so preserved it from that destruction which many of the other temples of antiquity have experienced. Although the Corinthian front which now adorns the entrance does not coincide with the maffive Doric pillars of the ancient building, yet the whole edifice has a noble appearance. The plate annexed presents a fide view of the Temple and the majestic marble columns fupporting the roof. These columns are fluted from top to bottom, and gradually increase in fize towards the base. Originally they were open, and discovered a fecond row of columns of the fame order; but the space between them has been built up to form the walls of the cathedral.

On entering the building our ears were faluted with the harmony of church-mufic; the rich melody of the organ filling the vaulted roof with its tones, and aided by the voices of the choir, formed an affemblage of folemn founds that, at the moment, raised our minds in rapture towards that Being whose praises were then chaunting.

No man, I believe, feels the impreffions of devotion more strongly than the seaman just landed from the perils of his dangerous occupation; his mind naturally raises itself in grateful acknowledgment towards that Power by whose protecting arm he has been preserved.