Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/149

Rh , February 20, 1852.

occasion to go to Salonica last month on business, I took advantage of this opportunity of visiting the Troad and Gallipoh. I went straight by steamer from Mytilene to Salonica, where I passed three days very agreeably with Mr. C. Blimt. He has been for many years in European Turkey, and diu-mg the greater part of that time has been actively employed as British consul first at Hadrianople, and then at his present post at Salonica. I gathered much from his conversation as to the present condition and prospects of Turkey, respecting which he does not speak very hopefully.

Salonica is a dirty town, full of Jews, who emigrated to this place on their expulsion from Spain. Its commercial prospect has been steadily increasing of late years, in consequence of the large quantity of corn exported here.

The most interesting relic of classical antiquity is the 'Incantadas. This is the name given to part of a colonnade apparently erected in the time of Hadrian. The colonnade is supported by Corinthian columns half-buried in the ground, above which are square pilasters, each of which has on two faces a figure sculptured in relief.$52$ Among these figures are Dionysos, Hermes, Ariadne, Ganymede, Leda, a Bacchante and a Victory. The name Incantadas