Phenix Gazette

Restoration of Ancient Athens.--In a number of the Courier de Smyrne, which was forwarded to us by one of our correspondents some weeks ago; are several articles which we had hoped to have been able earlier to notice. One of them relates to a plan proposed by a French engineer, for the rebuilding and restoration, of the city of Athens. A letter written by M. Fauvel, which appears in that paper, presents the various difficulties which such an undertaking would be subject to.

He remarks to the engineer that his would undoubtedly be the honor of first attempting the laying out of the streets of that ancient and renowned capital, according to the rules of convenience, and by straight lines. Obstacles in any general plan of this kind, he remarks, would inevitably be encountered in the ancient edifices, which must of course be respected. If regard is to be paid to the modern churches, the proposed design must be abandoned. "Within a circle which I have traced on a map of the city," says M. Fauvel, there are above 80 churches. So many of the streets are represented as useless, that they need not be regarded, but might be cut across and shut up at pleasure.

Considering all the circumstances of the case, however, M. Fauvel recommends the restoration of some of the ancient edifices, and converting the temple of Theseus to some useful purpose, after repairing it; which, he says, would not be very expensive. The remains of the Parthenon and the other monuments of the Acropolis, however, would require an amount of labor and money which would deter the greatest sovereign of Europe.--Daily Advertiser.