From Zante I made a short excursion to the neighbouring isle of Cephalonia, the largest of those in the Ionian Sea. From the bay of Zante to the harbour.of Argostoli, the capital of Cephalonia, is a distance of 30 miles. This port branches deeply into the island; and Argostoli, from its situation, is entirely shut out from the sea, forming a secure harbour, but difficult of egress when the wind is from any west or south quarter. On the same arm of the sea, but on the opposite side, and nearer 'to its mouth than Argostoli stands the town of Lexouri, containing about 5,000 people. Argostoli itself is somewhat less populous, but is better built, and has been the seat of the insular government. The town stretches about a mile along the shore, a low ridge of hills rising behind, which intervene behind this branch of the gulph and the southern coast of the island; and derive a luxuriant aspect from thé villages, olive-groves, and vineyards covering their declivity.
