I went into a
large fine-looking coffee-house to look for night quarters. I was
conducted to a room in which half of the window-panes were broken.
The attendant said this was of no consequence, it was only necessary
to close the shutters. In other respects the room looked very well
but I had scarcely laid down on the bed when certain animals
compelled me to take to flight. I laid down upon the sofa, which
was no better. Lastly, I tried an easy chair, in which I passed the
night, not in the most agreeable position.
I had already been told in AEgina of the great dirtiness and number
of vermin prevalent in the Piraean inns, and had been warned against
passing a night there; but what was to be done? for we could not
venture to leave the town without permission of the police.
22nd October. The distance of the harbour of the Piraeus from
Athens is thirteen stadia, or six English miles. The road leads
through olive-plantations and between barren hills. The Acropolis
remains continually in sight; the town of Athens does not appear
till afterwards.
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