[For a defence of the Homeric ἀπείρων [a)pei/rôn], and for a _résumé_ of the "wrangling" of the topographers, Jean Baptiste Le Chevalier (1752-1836) and Jacob Bryant (1715-1804), etc., see _Travels in Albania,_ 1858, ii. 179-185.] [154] {180} Before his Persian invasion, and crowned the altar with laurel, etc. He was afterwards imitated by Caracalla in his race. It is believed that the last also poisoned a friend, named Festus, for the sake of new Patroclan games. I have seen the sheep feeding on the tombs of Æyietes and Antilochus: the first is in the centre of the plain. [Alexander placed a garland on the tomb of Achilles, and "went through the ceremony of anointing himself with oil, and running naked up to it."--Plut. _Vitæ_, "Alexander M.," cap. xv. line 25, Lipsiæ, 1814, vi. 187. For the tombs of Æsyetes, etc., see _Travels in Albania, ii. 149-151._] [155] [Compare-- "Or narrow if needs must be, Outside are the storms and the strangers." _Never the Time, etc.,_ lines 19, 20, by Robert Browning.] [156] {181} When rubbed, the amber is susceptible of a perfume, which is slight, but _not_ disagreeable. [Letter to Murray, December 6, 1813, _Letters_, 1898, ii. 300.] [157] ["Coeterum castitatis hieroglyphicum gemma est."--Hoffmann, _Lexic. Univ._, art. "Smaragdus." Compare, too, _Lalla Rookh_ ("Chandos Classics," p. 406), "The emerald's virgin blaze."] [158] The belief in amulets engraved on gems, or enclosed in gold boxes, containing scraps from the Koran, worn round the neck, wrist, or arm, is still universal in the East. The Koorsee (throne) verse in the second cap. of the Koran describes the attributes of the Most High, and is engraved in this manner, and worn by the pious, as the most esteemed and sublime of all sentences. [The _âyatu 'l kursîy_, or verse of the throne (Sura II. "Chapter of the Heifer," v. 257), runs thus: "God, there is no God but He, the living and self-subsistent. Slumber takes Him not, nor sleep. His is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. Who is it that intercedes with Him, save by His permission? He knows what is before them, and what behind them, and they comprehend not aught of His knowledge but of what He pleases. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and it tires Him not to guard them both, for He is high and grand."--The _Qur'ân_, translated by E. H. Palmer, 1880, Part I., _Sacred Books of the East_, vi. 40.] [159] "Comboloio"--a Turkish rosary. The MSS., particularly those of the Persians, are richly adorned and illuminated. The Greek females are kept in utter ignorance; but many of the Turkish girls are highly accomplished, though not actually qualified for a Christian coterie. Perhaps some of our own _"blues"_ might not be the worse for _bleaching._