THE dress of the females of this island, like most of those in the other islands of the Archipelago, is very pleasing and interesting, especially when worn by the young and beautiful. And the Grecian beauty perhaps cannot be excelled. This island takes its name from Andros, the son of Anius, one of their kings; although it was also known to the ancients by several other names. It was here, that Bacchus had a temple, near which was a fountain, whose waters annually, during the Ides of January, tasted like wine.
“I have witnessed (says Anacharsis), those transports of joy, with which these feasts of Bacchus inspire the mind. I was on the deck of a vessel returning from Eubea, my eyes fixed towards the east to watch the first ray’s of the rising day, when a thousand shouts burst from the island of Andros.
The opening day discovered an eminence crowned with an elegant temple. The people were collected from all sides towards it, and first lifting their hands towards the sky, they prostrated themselfs to the ground, and gave themselves up to the most unrestrained emotions of joy. We landed, and were drawn from curiosity towards the hill, where a multitude of voices exclaimed,’ Hasten, and taste these streams of wine, which flow from the temple of Bacchus; till this instant they were formed of the purest water.’ Bacchus is the author of this miracle, and every year, on the same day and at the same hour, he performs the same prodigy, which lasts during seven days.”
Source: The costume of Turkey. Illustrated by a series of engravings; with descriptions in english. By Octavian Dalvimart. Printed by Howlett and Brimmer. Published in London, 1802.
