some of the most celebrated events that history unfolds:– it was signalized by the exploits of Cyrus and Alexander; and was dignified by the birth and the labours of the illustrious apostle of the Gentiles.
“At a few of the western ports, it is true, some recent travellers had touched in their voyage to Egypt; Le Brun also landed at Adalia[1], on his way to the interior; and as the road from Constantinople to Syria crosses the eastern extremity, some casual notices were to be found of the principal places in that quarter; but of the remainder of this great range of country, the only accounts extant were those of the antient geographers; and of the coast, there were no charts whatever by which the mariner could steer.”
This serious chasm in geography determined the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, when Mr. Yorke presided at the board, to employ a frigate on a survey of the coast; and H.M.S. Frederikssteen, of 32 guns, being then stationed in the Archipelago, was selected for that service.
“To settle the hydrography and to ascertain the naval resources, was the main design of the expedition; and the multiplied labours attendant on a survey of such magnitude, added to an excusable impatience for the final accomplishment of the task, in order to resume the more natural pursuits of a cruising frigate, allowed but little time for indulging in the examination of other objects. Yet the venerable remains of former opulence and grandeur, which every where forced themselves into notice, were too numerous and too interesting not to have found some admission among the more strictly professional remarks; and indeed they were often necessarily combined with the operations of the survey[2].”
From such materials. Captain Beaufort compiled his valuable work, in the hope of exciting further inquiry. What facts could be collected he has faithfully and skilfully reported: they throw much light on ancient history, and add greatly to modern science. We have no doubt, that in more settled times than the present, they will rouse other Englishmen of talent and research to visit those interesting Turkish provinces; and we cannot but hope that the growing energy, which must one day free this hitherto neglected country
