THE LITTLE EDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 55

THE LITTLE EDEN.

ENGLISHMAN'S ROMANTIC INVESTMENT. A British officer .sent to The Times the following curious little page of history concerning Urendjick, a place about four miles to the east of Salonika. He describes it as one of the most romantic and picturesque spots in the country. Close by the camp, forming an oasis among the bleak and rugged hillsides, is a walled garden full of dense foliage. It is owned by the French Brothers of the College at Salonika. Here during the great heat of summer they walk the sheltered woodland paths, their refectory a rude shepherd's shelter, their beds beneath leaves and stars, their bath a had-rumed ornamental tank, and their altar beneath the greenwood tree. Thanks to the hospitality of these genial and cultured Brothers, the officer was enabled to penetrate the mystery of the ruins which he had observed in and around the glorious old gardens, and learned their romantic story. It appears that towards the end of the eighteenth century a dweller in Salonika named Djeck Abott, of English origin, conceived the idea of trading in leeches from the ponds at Hotrtiak, a mountain overlooking Salonika. For these there was at that time a great demand Dy the medical profession. Having, by means of judicious backsheesh, cornered the European trade, Abott In 10 years made an enormous fortune. He retired from the business, and became a megalomaniac. Employing more than 500 men, Abott transformcd°thc uncultivated Eurumedjcck ("the little spider valley") into Urendjick ("the little Eden"). A mansion and terraced gardens were constructed, mule:: brought soil up from the plain; the best gardeners arranged the flower-beds; more than 100 species of trees were imported. After five years' labour and the expenditure of £300.000 the work was completed. About 1830 the entire valley was filled with the villas of wealthy inhabitants of Salonika. The consuls were well entertained by Abott, and M. Cousinery, the French Consul-general, wrote a book about the joyous life at Urendjick. A religious service was instituted in honour ot this little earthly paradise, and a priest officiated in a pretty chapel to the sound of cascades and the songs of birds. The (service was followed by drinks in the garden among the statues afterwards removed to the warden of the Ottoman Bank, which was built on the site of Abott's original house in Salonika. _ _ In 1852 the Sultan Abdul Modjid visited Salonika with his three little sons, of whom Abdul Hamid has _ achieved notoriety. The Sultan was invited to visit Urendjick, and for many days the road leading to it. which had been enlarged, Avas covered with fine sand. Abott bought up all the Turkish carpets in the bazaars, and spread them on the approaches to the villa. A Turkish bath was specially constructed for his Majesty. On the appointed day all Salonika was en fete. There was a wonderful procession to the villa. Arrived before the magnificent entrance. Abdul Medjid placed his right foot on the step of the carriage, but a Hash of lightning, followed bv a loud thunder-clap, w°is so obviously a 'bad augury that the Sultan withdrew his foot and refused to alight. Abott offered his Majesty coffee as 'he sat in the carriage. A brazier was brought, and the coffee was heated. with banknotes to the value of £625. Then Abott brought a silver key on a gold platter, and tendered it to the Sultan. who returned it. saying. "Urendjick will be free from taxes for ever." After this exciting day Abott's sons, seeino' their fortune slipping through the hands of their prodigal father, shut him up. Abott refused all nourishment, and died of hunger. Some time later the sons sold the property and returned to England. Urendjick then'passcd to Baron de Charneaud, who caused the great carved stones and marbles to be removed to his country seat and town house, while the young trees were transplanted to his various gardens. The little paradise fell gradually into decay. In course of time the place was sold "for 200 napoleons to M. Pascal Ruygiero, who repaired the road, planted some vines, and sold it again to the Brothers of the College at Salonika in 1901. , , A nephew of Abott is a land-owner in Salonika, and owns the site of the British Consulate-. His son, Robert Abott, was abducted by a band of 15 brigands from Aaevesto Chori in 1907. They demanded

a ransom of £25,000, and received £15.000, which the Sultan was compelled to pay. The captive passed the first night in the bath prepared by his great-uncle for the Sultan. Three of the brigands got safely to America; the remaining 12 were given away by an angry woman, and sentenced to 'terms of from five to 15 years imprisonment. About .012,000 of the ransom Mas recovered. In 1908 they were all set at liberty.