At 8 last night left Syra all sparkling with lights - which being on the acclivity of a Hill would be a delightfull place for an illumination - the Steamer crowded with Greeks - who cover the decks quite gaily with their costumes of bright colours - the men are certainly handsome and better dressed than the women - in the obscurity of the night soon lost sight of Syra -

Rose early this morning from the sofa of the cabin (no birth for passengers to Athens) close to Cape Suniun (Sounion) as the sun arose the columns of the temple were distinct - standing where they are yet, for the past 2000 years -

"Save when Tritonius airy shrine adorns Colorma's cliff and gleams along the wave"

furthur on, the island of Egina (Aegina) became distinct and far away in the distance the snow capped Parnassus (Parnassus) - the sea as calm as a lake, but few sails to be seen to gladden the sight - as we approached the Peireus (Piraeus) - before us lay the Athenian Acropolis crowned with the ruins of its marble temples - passed a point on which are some remains of architecture - this is the tomb of Themistocles and looks towards Salamus the theatre of his glory - by a narrow entrance came into the port or basin - among the vessels was a brig of war which saluted our arrival, having on board the Austrian ambassador -

Was soon landed and in a carriage for Athens which is five miles off - the remains of the wall are strewed in various parts along the road - in less than an hour was in the modern city or rather town of mostly low and mean looking houses - indeed Athens is a place just rising out of the ruins the Turkish war let it in-

After calling on several at last found a comfortable house in the Hotel des Etrangers where I was accompanied by Mr Hautefeuille a fellow passenger from Syra - in the afternoon mounted the steep rock of the acropolis - these celebrated Grecian temples have be so well described that I shall not attempt to say more about them, that the impressions of a short visit - they are the most perfect ruins I have yet seen for the brilliant white marble of Pentelicus is incorruptible - they are four temples in all, but the Parthenon is by far the largest - the sculpture and bas reliefs are much injured, indeed I felt a sorrow and regret that the productions of such brave workmen should have so suffered - it is inconceivable with what precision the large masses of marble are joined together - and what remains of the walls are one solid mass - and put together with cement - -

To make up for the comfortable lodgings at Syra I lost on the Steamer went early to bed -

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