We mount by six a clock, and now determine our return to _Smyrna_; to which there lies a straight tho difficult and craggy road, over the top of the _Alymán_; upon which account we thought it preferable to take the way of the plains. This first led us over the bridge of the _Caýster_, and then quickly after round the abrupt precipice of the _Alymán_, and that old castle upon its edge, which we had before so much in view, as we rode from _Tyria_. From hence we pass thro a variety of low woods and pastures, which in themselves were pleasant and diverting; tho the fountains being all dry about this quarter, we were much distressed for want of water. About four hours and a quarter from _Ephesus_ we descry on our left hand, on the rising of the hill, the deplorable remainder of the castle of _Metropolis_; and at the foot thereof such apparent traces of foundations, with variety of hewn marble, as permitted us no longer to doubt concerning the place of that waste city. And it may be added, that computing our way by hours, as _Strabo_ does by furlongs[55], we did not greatly differ from his account, who places it at little more than a third part of the distance betwixt _Ephesus_ and _Smyrna_. Not far from hence we begin to approach a small, tho not shallow river, runing on our right hand, which probably is the _Phyrites_ of _Pliny_[56] mingling, as he describes it, with the _Caýster_, not far from the _Stagnum Pegasaeum_, or that lake, which we before observed in our way from _Tyria_ to _Ephesus_. Beyond this river we saw a large extended pasture, overspread with the flocks, herds, and tents of _Turcmen_. They had here pitched their station to the number of fourteen hundred; for as we staid to taste their milk, and to view their habitations, they themselves gave us this account, reckoning about two hundred tents, and seven persons more or less appertaining to each. As the whole race of the Turks were nothing else but a numerous colony, that swarmed from _Scythia_; so these _Turcmen_ seem to be the peculiar descendants of the _Nomades Scythae_, or _Shepherd Scythians_, and like them make it their employment to breed and nurture cattle. To this end they never assemble in towns, or betake themselves to houses; but flit from place to place, as the season of the year directs, and seize without control the vast neglected pastures of this desert empire. In two hours and three quarters from _Metropolis_ we arrive at _Trianta_, a small but pleasant village, seated on a dry soil, and enjoying a very healthful air; where we proposed to _conáck_ this evening. An _agá_ here hospitably accommodated us with the convenience of his country house, and likewise treated us with a small collation after the Turkish fashion. May iii.