Modern Greek Names of Places.

—It is commonly stated in books of geography that the modern name of Athens is Statines. In Hennin's Manuel de Numismatique Ancienne it is stated to be Satines or Atini; and Mr. Akerman, in his most excellent Numismatic Manual, makes the same statement. We find it stated also universally that the modern name of Cos is Stanco; and this has been repeated in all maps and charts until the recently published Admiralty Chart, No. VI. of the Archipelago series, where it is called Cos.

The origin of this and other similar blunders is curious. Athens retains its plural termination, and is always used with the article,αι Αθηναι. If you ask a peasant walking from the Piræus whither he is going, he will answer you,Εις τας Αθηνας, but will rapidly enunciate it as follows,'σ'τ'σΑθηνας, whence Statines, lately reduced to Satines.

I am surprised that Cos was not set down as Stinco rather than Stanco, for if you hail a Coan vessel, and ask whither it is bound, theκαραβουκυρι, or skiff-master, would certainly replyστην Κῳ, if Cos were his destination.

I find that both M. Hennin and Mr. Akerman assert that Thebes is now called Stives. I conversed with a noble-looking youth on the ruins of Eleusis, and asking him from what part of the country he came, I shall not easily forget the stately dignity with which he tossed his capote over his shoulder, and answeredειμι Θηβαίος—I am a Theban. The bold Bœotian would have stared in amazement had I spoken to him of Stives, although, if homeward-bound, he would have said he was going'σ τας Θηβας.

The Turks have made Istambol or Stamboul out ofστην πολιν; and we may, perhaps, hear from our friends, the Nepaulese ambassadors, that the capital of England is called Tolondon, and that of France Apari.

L. H. J. T.