Tomorrow is the Greek holiday of St. John the Baptist - the Princes Islands (see Bosphorus map) in the sea of Marmora - and not far from the city are resorted to by the Greeks to keep the feast - these are the islands that Byron says "Charmed the charming Lady Montagu"

Accompanied by Ruboli and his little daughter embarked in a caique - crowded with some 20 pleasure seekers like ourselves - putting out of the habour sails were hoisted and the light boat darted thro the water at a great rate and much to our alarm owing the unsteadiness of these narrow vessels -

In a couple of hours we have passed the point of Chalcedon and reached Prinkipo - the principal of the islands - the village at which we landed was anything than inviting - no hotel - took up our quarters with a poor woman and her daughters

There are some pleasant houses on the outskirts of the town - among them the residence of the patriarch of the Greek church - in the evening the ladies promenaded along the sea side - the boys made bon fires and jump't over them to propitiate St. John - Ruboli my Greek landlord did the same - squibs and fire works closed the evening's entertainment

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