This ceremony ended, we turned aside to satisfy our curiosity with the sight of the famous river _Hermus_, which flows scarce two bow’s shot below the turpentine tree mentioned above. This large and noble river yeilds an entertaining sight, especially when it abates something of its usual fulness. It appears graced on each side with a sandy shelving bank. The neighbouring pastures afford abundance of tamarisk, and on the edge of the river asparagus is very plentiful. It may be observed, that as the poets of old called it the _golden_[10], so the Turks at present call it the _silver streamed Hermus_; either of which names it seems to deserve from that bright and shining sand, which its water washes. But though the sand be clear, yet the water is still thick and muddy[11], and well answers some epithets of that nature, which are bestowed upon it in ancient poetry. It was now past midday, when we return to the village, and after the refreshment of a diner prepare for our departure towards _Magnesia_. Our way thither lay through the same plain, into which we entered yesterday at one a clock; where the beauty and verdure of this campain countrey made amends for the great rain, which annoyed us all this day, as well at the Greek ceremony, as now in our way to _Magnesia_. In two hours from _St. George’s_ we begin to enter _Magnesia_, not without a just admiration of its delicious situation at the foot of mount _Sipylus_; from whence it was antiently called _Magnesia ad Sipylum_, to distinguish it from that other, which stood near the river _Meander_[12]. Having rode into the city, we began to be in distress for an house to receive us; for an uncertain recommendation, which we had hitherto over credulously relied on, we now found to have miscarried. This was observed by an _effendi_, who saw us pass under his window, and therefore courteously acquainted us by his servant, that if we wanted accommodations, we might be welcome to his house. We gladly embraced the motion, and were conducted into a garden, where we were afforded the use of a pleasure house, consisting of a large _sophá_ room, a kitchen, and an open _kiosk_, with a beautiful fountain in the middle. The _effendi_ himself came down, and welcomed us to our apartment, adding withall, that if we had any other freind to rely upon, he would not deprive us of a better entertainment; if not, he bid us freely make use of what this place afforded. Returning to his house he presented us with a lamb, and desired to know, if there was any thing else, with which he was capable of obliging us. By our _dragoman_ he likewise informed us, that the _cadí_ of the city was at that time making him a visit, before whom it might not be improper for us to shew ourselves; but at the same time not to come empty handed. According to this motion we waited upon the _cadí_ with two _okes_ of sugar, and as many of coffee. He received us and our present very obligingly; and upon the _effendi’s_ invitation, we