From the 25th December we passed the time very agreeably with Captain Ferguson and the officers of the “Pylades” at Mr Werry's. We visited Bournabat, a beautiful village in the neighbourhood, where most of the French merchants have country houses—Mr Hase being the only Englishman who has a villa here.

Captain Ferguson offered me a passage to Myconi, on my way to visit Naxos and Antiparos—the famous grotto of the latter island being the principal attraction. The “Pylades” was at anchor below the castle, on the Gulf of Smyrna; and on the 2nd January 1810 we ran down in one hour in an open boat—a distance of 10 miles—to the ship. Early next day we weighed anchor and, the wind blowing strong, sailed close to the town of Scio to observe a privateer that harbours there. In the evening it was necessary to lay to—the night being very dark and stormy—and the ship rolled dreadfully.

The next morning was ushered in with heavy squalls; and, carrying only close reefed top-sails, we ran down in five hours to Myconi (60 miles). Here I introduced the officers to some of the inhabitants, and they enjoyed a very pleasant day. In the evening a small vessel arrived, which had some clothes etc. on board that I had sent from Smyrna to Tino some time before: we were surprised to learn that she had been 14 days on her passage—that is, delaying at different islands for fair weather.