Athos; or, The Mountain of the Monks

The sanctuary of the Greek race, which is in a great degree the sanctuary and refuge of the whole Eastern Church, is Athos — ‘ the Holy Mountain.’ — Stanley’s Eastern Church.

Three years ago an Improvement in railway connection placed Constantinople within five days of Paris. The Oriental express running direct from the capital of France to the ferry across the Danube at Rustchuk, in communication with a train to Varna and a steam packet sailing thence to Constantinople, enables the traveller to undertake with but little difficulty a journey to the great metropolis of the East, and, if he be of the more adventurous sort, to prolong his voyage to the maritime cities of Asia Minor, or wander along from island to island in the Greek Archipelago. Few more delightful journeys than these can he undertake, and few will so repay him in refreshment of both mind and body; for in Oriental Europe there are still to be found secluded paths, fresh scenes, and many an untouched mine of rich and varied interest, whilst over all there hangs that soft and dreamy Eastern charm, quite indescribable and only to be appreciated by those who have at some time revelled under its delicious influence.