The heat in summer is often said to be insupportable, the temperature rising to more than 36 degrees Reaumur.

To-day it reached 30 degrees in the sun.
We drank to my safe return to my country, in real old Cyprian wine.
Shall I ever see it again?
I hope so, if my journey progresses as favourably as it has begun.

But Syria is a bad country, and the climate is difficult to bear; yet with courage and perseverance for my companions, I may look forward to the accomplishment of my task.
The good doctor seemed much annoyed that he had nothing to offer me but Cyprian wine and a few German biscuits.

At this early season fruit is not to be had, and cherries do not flourish here because the climate is too hot for them.

In Smyrna I ate the last for this year.