twelve o'clock
The portico in front was fifty paces long and fourteen broad , and the fluted marble pillars with black plinths and fret-work cornices , -LRB- as it is now customary in Grecian architecture , -RRB- were considerably higher than the roof . The roof , surrounded by a light stone balustrade , was covered by a fine Turkey carpet , beneath an awning of strong coarse linen . Most of the house-tops are thus furnished , as upon them the Greeks pass their evenings in smoking , drinking light wines , such as `` lachryma christi , '' eating fruit , and enjoying the evening breeze . On the left hand as we entered the house , a small streamlet glided away , grapes , oranges and limes were clustering together on its borders , and under the shade of two large myrtle bushes , a marble seat with an ornamental wooden back was placed , on which we were told , the lord passed many of his evenings and nights till twelve o'clock , reading , writing , and talking to himself . `` I suppose , '' said the old man , `` praying '' for he was very devout , `` and always attended our church twice a week , besides Sundays . '' The view from this seat was what may be termed `` a bird 's - eye view . '' A line of rich vineyards led the eye to Mount Calcla , covered with olive and myrtle trees in bloom , and on the summit of which an ancient Greek temple appeared in majestic decay .