The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-13 00:00:00

A MONTH AT COIVSTANTINOPLE. By

Albert Smith.

" I fear," writes Albert Smith in his praf,sce,
" that those of my friends who looked for a ' comic
Constantinople' in this volume, will be somewhat
disappointed ; so also will those who thought I might
be tempted, by the example of other writers, to
give my own opinions, either upon the long-vexed
question of Eastern politics, or the social and probable
condition of the Turks." If, however, both these
classes of expectants be disappointed in this volume,
the public generally will find in. Albert Smith's
" Month at Constantinople." a most delightful and
interesting work. With the conviction, as he frankly
admits, that "the funny school" has been a " little
overdone of late," and leaving, as he modestly ob-
serves, " to more able and experienced heads" the
grave discussion of serious political topics, he has
happily steered in a medium course, and has compiled
from the reminiscences of his brief sojourn at Con-
stantinople a series of chapters which abound with
information, without once becoming heavy or weari-
some, and which sparkle with humour without de-
generating into the " funny school." While
our traveller pursued his romantic wanderings
his ready pencil was ever in his hand, at times noting
down some graphic description of a passing scene,
and at others, when the object was sufficiently wor-
thy or sufficiently interesting, transferring it in fac
simile to his portefeuille. Thus the published volume
is adorned with pencil, as well as with pen and ink,
portraitures of many of the marvels encountered by
Mr. Smith in his memorable month at Constantino-
ple. The various peculiarities of the Eastern
customs, the baths, bazaars, slave-market, fig-
packing, &c. &c., are the subjects of graphic
sketches and interesting• remarks. Some
Turkish songs, of which the words and music also
are to be found in this volume, will be, no doubt,
most attractive to its fair readers, while those travel-
lers who feel disposed to follow the writer's example
will find some useful information in the concluding
pages, wherein are set forth the full particulars con-
cerning the time and expenses of the journey from
London to Constantinople by Switzerland, Italy,
Malta, Athens, and Smyrna, the time being about
three months, and the expenses little more than fifty
pounds. The following account of the entry into the
Golden Horn, and the first glimpse of Constantinople,
is a happy specimen of the easy and delightful
style in which the whole series of reminiscences is
penned :
" I must confess that the first view of Stamboul, as
we neared that part of the city, certainly disappointed
me. I had heard and read such extraordinary accounts
of the beauty of the coup and my expectations had
been raised to such an absurd height, that although I
knew.l was stating hard at the Mosque of St. Sophia,
and that the dark cypress grove coming down to the blue
water befofe us surrounded the Sultan's harem, -and
that this blue water was the Bosphorus, my first excla-
mation to myself was-- And is this alll' But when- we
rounded the :Seraglio point, and slowly glided into the
Goldea Horn, where the whole gorgeous panorama
opened upon me in its unequalled loveliness, the feeling
of wonder and admiration became absolutely oppressive.
I bad never been so strongly moved before but once—
when I looked down upon London, by night, from a
balloon. To speak of the magnificent domes and lofty
minarets that detached themselves from the •amphi-
theatres of buildings as we proceeded, and stood in clear
white relief against the bright blue sky; or of the quaint
houses and intermingled foliage and graceful cypress
groves that climbed to the very summits of the hills, and
stretched far away in the distance—of the thousand
ships that the noble harbour brought alongside of the
very streets—the fairy palaces commencing to border the
Bosphorus--the light gilded wherries that darted by in
all directions, amidst the tame sea birds who rode upon'
the clear rippling water—the gaily-coloured crowds upon -
the bridge—the vivid sunlight—the exhilarating atmos-
pbere--above all, perhcpl, the sudden change from the
ennui ofza sea voyage—is only to repeat what every-
body has said who has ever visited Constantinople—to
anticipate what everybody will say on future arrivals."

EXTRAORDINARY BUNCII OF GRAPES.--.There is
now at Mr. Mayer's, the goldsmith, 68, Lord-street, a bunch
of grapes which measures in circumference three feet six,
inches, diameter one foot two inches, length one foot six
inches, and the estimated weight is eight pounds. It is of
the black Hamburgh sort, grown at the residence of John
Houghton, Esq., West Derby. The vine has been laid down
tour years, the fruit is of a full, deep, rich, blooming colour,
and is perhaps the largest bunch ever produced in tins
neighbourhood. We understand it.is to be presented to klade-
moilelle Lind in the coarse ofthe week.—Liverpool

THE TWELFTH OF AUGUST.—Reporth from the
moors speak of fully average prospects of well-stocked shoot-
ings; and, in the neighbourhood of the city, we have of late
observed several large cOveys of strong young birCe..."=—Aber.
deen Herald.