Went on deck this morning about six o'clock - the sun shining brilliantly on the clear waters of the Egean - near the coast - and off the ruins of Alexandria Troas - the Island of Mityline just visible behind us - and approaching Tenedos - on which we soon descried a fortification and a town -

Opposite is the coast on which is the plain of Ancient Troy - with my spy glass could distinguish the called the tomb of Achilles - and Mount Ida in the distance - the country is green and fertile but nearly uninhabited - some cattle were standing in the water on the sea shore - past Tenedos - and the island of Imbros in sight entered the dardanelles, these straits separating Europe from Asia are five miles wide at the entrance - with a fortress on the promontory - passing which is a bay - the spot supposed to be the place where the Greek ships were drawn up in the siege of Troy -

Shortly came to a narrow part of the channel where are the celebrated fortresses on both sides - call'd the castles of Europe and Asia - the heavy artillery of which is on a level with the water - had no communication with shore, as they have become lately infected with the plague - saw a number of tents supposed of the cause an infected nissels -

Passed point Nagura the ancient Abydos - and where Xerxes constructed his bridge of boats - and where Lord Byron swam across - as Leander did before him "To Woo - and - Lord knows what beside And swam for Love and I for glory" The shores on each side the Hellespont are here beautifull, cultivated and interspersed with Trees -

Laasaki is a small town with a mosque and nearby are the ruins of the ancient Sampsaens - nearly opposite on the European side is Gallipolis - with its double harbour but not a ship in either - now we were thro the Hellespont and into the sea of Marmora - and by the setting sun could just distinguish the island of that name in the distance.
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