Reference code
RI/1/72
Title
W.B. Richmond, Island of Delos, to [Clara Richmond]
Date
[Sep 1882]
Level
Item
Extent & medium
4 pieces
Content Description
[Written over the course of several days] Thursday - he is writing from the bottom of a fishing boat sitting in the bay between the two islands of Delos. The previous night he had set off from Syra [Syros] with two Greeks, once he had shown them he had the means to ensure "obedience implicit". On arrival at Delos he ran to the newly excavated ruins, and found it difficult to make sense of them. A storm then blows in, preventing him from returning to Piraeus in time to catch the steamer for Milos and Crete. Mentions the discovery of a Delian amphitheatre by a Frenchman, along with tablets and other discoveries that are to be presented in a major publication. The Greek islands are generally barren, but Syra [Syros] is an exception. It is vibrant and busy, although there was a fire on the night of his arrival. He sees the comet each night before sleeping.
Still trapped in the bay at Delos he wanders ashore, where he meets some sailors who show him further new excavations, including a fine figure of Apollo. The strong winds continue and their food runs low before a fishing boat arrives to escape to seas. He is glad they have plenty of tobacco.
Sunday - the hardship is very real. They search for food and he fails to shoot a goat. Eventually they catch a wild pig and will eat it with stone bread. He is sick of the sight of the island and wants to go home now. The sea is his enemy.
Monday - the storm has broken and they hope to sail tomorrow. Last night fifteen of them dined on pig, rice and wine, he finds the fishermen's speech very hard to understand. Of his two companions, one is a first rate fellow, the other idle and, if given the opportunity, would "take the very clotches off my back".
Tuesday - Syra. "Thank God". Mid-voyage he had to threaten his companions with his revolver to restore order and has reported them to the Consulate as unfit to accompany a foreigner.
Wednesday - Athens. He leaves shortly for Brindisi and will avoid Rome.
Physical Characteristics
The four sheets are glued together with nasty sticky tape.