THE MONTHLY REPOSITORY.

AND LIBRARY OF

ENTERTAINING KNOWLEDGE.

THE object of this Work is to afford useful and entertaining knowledge, not only to youth, but also to those more advanced in years, and who may not have the means to procure, or leisure to peruse more elaborate works. The desire, and constant aim of the Editor will be to render this little publication popular and instructive to every class of readers-a.work that the parent may with perfect safety place in the hands of his child-or the tutor present to his deserving pupil as the reward of merit. As a volume it shall not be unworthy a place in the Family Library.

CONDITIONS.

1. THE REPOSITORY is issued in monthly numbers, of 36 pages each, handsomely printed, on good paper, with a fair type, neatly stitched in printed covers, and ornamented with Engravings on wood.

2. The price per year is One Dollar and Fifty Cents, payable on the delivery of the sixth number; or One Dollar and Twentyfive Cents on delivery of the third number.

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The first and second volumes, half bound in calf, very neat, or in plain sheep,$1 25 each.

Written for the Monthly Repository and Library of Entertaining Knowledge.

WE are persuaded that a general and picturesque view of a city, which was the glory of ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the most distinguished orators, philosophers, and heroes of antiquity, cannot fail of being acceptable to our readers.

Athens, which is the capital of Livadia, is situated 100 miles south-east of Lacedemon, and 300 south-west by west of Constantinople-it contains a population of about ten thousand souls, and is surrounded by a wall, which, like many of its noble edifices, is considerably dilapidated. The environs of Athens are strikingly romantic and beautiful-indeed nature and art seem to have struggled for the mastery in the formation of this celebrated city. A traveller, (Mr. Turner,) who visited Athens in 1811, says " Never shall I forget the sublimity of the scenery which surrounded me for those three hours. Trees and shrubs issuing as it were from the barren rock-precipices, whose tremendous depth I trembled to look at-mountains soaring to such a height that no human foot can ever have trod them. On all sides the streams from the heights were rolling down in cascades, while before us was one of the richest plains I have ever seen, entirely covered with flowers and the richest pasturage."

The approach by sea presents a spectacle astonishingly grand. It was viewed by Dr. Clarke and his companions with transports of the greatest joy. It was no sooner descried, than its lofty edifices, catching the sun's

rays, rendered the buildings in the Acropolis visible at the distance of fifteen miles. The reflected light gave them a white appearance. The Parthenon appeared first above a long chain of hills in the front. Presently, says Dr. Clarke, we saw the top of Mount Anchesmus, to the left of the temple, the whole being backed by a lofty mountainous ridge. As we drew near to the walls, we beheld the vast Cecropian citadel crowned with temples that originated in the veneration once paid to the memory of the illustrious dead, surrounded by objects telling the same theme of sepulchral grandeur, -now monuments of departed greatness, gradually mouldering in all the solemnity of ruin. The prodigious columns belonging to the ruins of Hadrian's Temple of Olympian Jove, appeared in full view between the citadel and the bed of the Ilissus-high upon our right rose the Acropolis, in the most impressive grandeur; an advanced part of the rock on the western side of it is the Hill of the Areopagus, where St. Paul preached to the Athenians, and here their most solemn tribunal was held. [See Monthly Repository, &c. vol. i. p. 216.] Beyond all appeared the beautiful Plain of Athens, bounded by Mount Hymettus. We proceeded, continues Dr. Clarke, in his account, towards the east, to ascend Mount Anchesmus, and to enjoy in one panoramic survey the glorious prospect presented from its summit, of all the antiquities and natural beauties of the Athenian plain. We ascended to the commanding eminence of the mount, once occupied by a temple of Anchesmian Jupiter-[this Pagan shrine has been succeeded by a small Christian sanctuary.] From the summit of this rock even the celebrated Wheeler could not write without emotion. Here, said he, a Democritus might sit and laugh at the pomps and vanities of the world, whose glories so soon vanish; or an Heraclitus, weep over its manifold misfortunes, and tell sad stories of its various changes.

The prospect embraces every object excepting only those upon the south-west side of the castle.