April xxx.
By six this morning we set forward from Tyria in our way for Ephesus, and passing thro the extreme skirt of the city, we observe the inscription of an ancient stone coffin, now converted by the Turks to supply the use of a cistern. It has been defaced towards the upper parts of the chest, and permitted us to read only these following words:
....... Η ΣΟΡΟΣ .......... ΦΛΑΒΙΑΝΩ ......
.... ΟΥΔΕΝΙ ..... Ε ..... ΑΙ .... ΜΕΤΑ .....
ΚΟΜΙΣ ... ΜΑ .. ΕΝ .. ΤΟ .. ΤΟΛΜΗΣΑΣ ΤΙ ΤΟΙΟΥ-
ΤΟ ΤΙΣΕΙ ΤΩ ΙΕΡΩΤΑΤΩ ΤΑΜΕΙΩ 𐆖. Β. Φ. ΚΗΔΟΝ-
ΤΑΙ ΔΕ ΤΗΣ ΣΟΡΟΥ ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΤΑ-
ΜΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΛΗΡΟΝΟΜΟΙ ΑΥΤΩΝ ΖΩΣΙΝ ΤΑΥΤΗΣ ΕΠΙ-
ΓΡΑΦΗΣ ΑΝΤΙΓΡΑΦΟΝ ΑΝΕΤΕΘΗ ΕΙΣ ΤΟ ΕΝ ΕΦΕΣΩ
ΑΡΧΕΙΟΝ
Upon the borders of the road, about a mile from Tyria, there stands a commodious fountain, and adjoining thereto a pleasant country house; where, as we staid to drink, an hospitable old Turk offered us the entertainment of the place. We were then obliged to refuse the favour, but not without a fresh regret at the inconveniency of our last night’s lodging, when we might have easily passed on to this advantagous conáck.
We hence travel some hours in a narrow and almost deserted vale, the Caýster still flowing on our right hand; till about one a clock we draw near to the extreme edge of the Alymán, a large mountain lying betwixt the city of Ephesus and the village of Giamobasy, and here ending in an abrupt precipice; on the top of which stands an old castle now converted, as is said, into a college of dervíses. Near this place the Caýster mingles with a large and muddy lake, which most probably was the Stagnum Pegasaeum, mentioned by Pliny[38], as having communication with this river. The Alymán we take to be the Mons Gallesius of the antients[39]; since the Mimas[40], for which some have lately mistaken it, is the highest part of Erythréa, or that cape land, which encloses the bay of Smyrna.
We now thought it more advisable not to reach Ephesus till the cool of the morning, but to pass this evening at Kirkingécui, a Christian village, lying near two hours to the east of the city. In search of this place our guide unfortunately led us to the left of the above mentioned lake, up a steep craggy and almost impassible mountain; which when with great difficulty we had conquered, and descended in a way almost as tedious on the other side, we were acquainted by a traveler, that we were out of our road either to Ephesus or Kirkingécui. This struck a damp upon our spirits, being now obliged to tread back so many unwelcome steps in the heat of the day, despair of all present refreshment, and fearful apprehensions of the miscarriage of our mules. It was therefore voted necessary to hire the above mentioned traveler to conduct us to our village, who accordingly led us by a long and tedious way almost under the castle of Ephesus. But from hence we had an hour and an half of pleasant and diverting riding, betwixt two shelving hills, watered at the bottom with a purling brook; whilst on each side we were entertained with a shady scene of bays, myrtle, oleander, Spanish broom, the plane tree, Judas tree, the strawberry tree, lilach tree, and a multitude of other delightful greens. The frequent stops and misfortunes of this day’s journey had made it almost eight a clock, when we arrived at Kirkingécui; where to our incredible satisfaction we found our tents already pitched by our muliteers, who by an unknown and unbeaten path, over two or three mountains, had at last fallen upon the village, more by good fortune than any conduct of their own.