such extent as would compare with the size of a cottage.

A mile distant, in the quarries, there yet remains a huge block of stone partially hewn, measuring 70 feet long, 17 wide, and 14 thick, and of sufficient area to allow of two wagons being driven on it abreast. Viewing these relics of long past eras the question is naturally suggested as to the means employed to elevate these huge masses to their designated positions at a period when the science of engineering was still in its incipiency.

From Baalbec we rode through the valley between Anti-Lebanon and Lebanon proper, and traversed the country to which the spies were sent by the Children of Israel to explore, and who returning, brought with them immense bunches of grapes as evidence of the richness of the land.

On the road to Estura, where we proposed camping for the night, we visited the tomb of Noah, which is 70 yards long, and inclosed in a Mohammedan shrine.

On the following day, we crossed the mountains of Lebanon, stopping for rest and refreshment under its famous cedars, after which we resumed our route reaching, in the evening, Beyrout, a town of 100,000 inhabitants, on the sea-coast; its hotels, banks, and shops recalling us once more to the essentials of civilization.

CHAPTER XXII.

LARNICA :

RHODES:

SMYRNA : EPHESUS: PIRÆUS:

ATHENS: ITS ENVIRONS.

LEAVING Beyrout by an Austrian Lloyd steamer, we had a most delightful trip through the Mediterranean, and the Grecian Archipelago, sailing amid the beautiful islands so celebrated in historic and classic lore, and landed on the island of Cyprus, one of the first places where Christianity was established, and where Paul and Barnabas preached.

We went ashore at Larnica, a small town inhabited by Greeks, and spent the day rambling about the place. Here we visited the Greek church which contains the tomb of Lazarus, who having moved here after his resurrection from the dead, became the first Christian bishop of Cyprus. This was also the birthplace of Zeno, who founded the sect of Stoics and taught at Athens the doctrine that men should be free from all passion or emotion.

Rhodes on an island of the same name and so called from its abundance of roses, is a most favored spot. It is situated on a hill which slopes down to a miniature bay, and has a delightful

climate. Rhodes is chiefly renowned for the Colossus which once spanned the bay at its entrance. This was the figure of a man in brass 105 feet in height, his extended legs forming an archway through which the small crafts of the period could readily pass, and was classed as the 6th wonder of the world. It was built 290 B. C. and was destroyed by an earthquake, the fragments being sold by the 6th caliph to a Jew who loaded 900 camels with 800 lbs. each.

Rhodes was also distinguished in ancient times for its liberty, learning, and valor, and in modern times for its defences conducted by the knights of St. John; the Rue des Chevaliers-or street of the knights—yet containing many old houses on which are sculptured in stone the armorial bearings of the knights.

From here we entered the Archipelago passing the site of Halicarnassus where stood the Mausoleum of Mausolus, king of Caria, erected by Artemisia, his wife and sister, 350 B. C. and reckoned the 5th wonder of the world; Symi, noted for its corals and sponges and the expertness of its male and female divers; Patmos, where St. John wrote the Revelations, having been banished there by the Emperor Domitian for preaching the Gospel of Christ; Samos, celebrated in classic literature as the birthplace of Juno and Pythagoras, and for a long time the home of Herodotus, who here compiled the greater portion

of his history; and Scio, which we saw partly in ruins, having been recently visited by a fearful earthquake, and under whose fallen walls yet lay buried the remains of hundreds of human beings.

Smyrna, which stands foremost among the cities of Asia Minor, has a population of 160,000, and is supposed to have been founded by Alexander the Great. It is the only city of the Seven Churches addressed by the apostle St. John, which has retained its importance down to the present time, and is also one of the seven cities that lay claim to having given birth to Homer:

"Seven Grecian cities strove for Homer dead,

Through which the living Homer begged his bread."

Its inhabitants have erected a temple near the grotto where it is said he conceived his immortal epic, the Iliad.

On Mount Pagus, a hill overlooking Smyrna are the ruins of an old castle, near which is the spot where Polycarp the first bishop of the city was burnt at the stake, and near by is his tomb. The principal export of this city is figs, and caravans daily import the indigenous products of Asia Minor.

A two hours' trip from Smyrna, by rail, brought us to the ruins of Ephesus once one of the most remarkable cities of the world, whose

origin was attributed to the Amazons; and especially noted for the Temple of Diana, the 3d wonder of the world. This temple which was 425 feet in length, and 225 in breadth, the whole supported by 127 superb columns, each the gift of a king, was built 552 years B. C. Its erection required an incredible number of workmen; the most skilful painters and sculptors being employed in the decorations of the edifice. The statue of Diana was of ebony; and legend avers was a gift direct from Jupiter to the Ephesians. This temple was burned by Herostratus, who sought thus to acquire a meritricious fame; the event occurring on the very day of the birth of Alexander the Great, 356 B. C.

At Ephesus are also the ruins of the great theatre which seated 60,000 people, and into which Demetrius with his fellow craftsmen drew Gaius and Aristarchus - Paul's companionsshouting: "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" (Acts XIX-21-41.) Here also are the ruins of the school of Tyrannous; the Agora, or marketplace; the Odeum, and the Stadium which seated 75,000 people; the Gymnasium; the old Aqueduct, 40 columns of which still remain, and on the top of several we saw storks standing guard over their curious nests; the cemetery with numbers of stone sarcophagi; the prison of St. Paul, on an elevation; the tombs of St. Luke and St. John, and the baptismal font of the latter. In the side of the