The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-06-16


bv the vast domains of the palace, which
occasionally glittered through or rose over
it.-On the left was Sentari, one OF the sub
ulh,s on the Asiatc side, with its white mos
uues and as we drew nearer the landing
place, large boats, with Turks OF all ranks
and dresses, passed rapidly by.
We were not aware of the tumults and
massacres of which Constantinoplc had been
the scene 1t was not safe for a European
to pass through Pera or Galata without
january. On landing at the latter suburb,
we entered coffee house; but the Turks,
with impressive gestures, warned us way.
Not only the soldiers, but all the populace,
bore arms, the very boys had their pistols
aud attaghan, and had learned to dip their
hands in blood. Almost every day some
dreadful atrocity was acted. There was no
mercy for the Greek, wherever discovered:
no home could shelter him, save the palaces
of the ambassadors. The windows of the
lofty apartment where we lodged looked down
on cemetry, with its cypress. AS soon as
evening set in, the firing of lnuskets and pis-
tolls commenced around it, and was kept up
at intervals through the night; this rendered
it unsafe to walk there after sunset. Of the
Greek boyars, or nobleman, scarcely. one
now remains. Those who were not slain in
the tunnlts have fed from their homes and
left their families and possessions 1T the
mercy OF the Turks.
| The village of Therapa on the Bospho-
rus, WAS celebrated alike for the beauty of
its women and the uncommon lovcliness of
its situation. 1t was a luxury to a stranger
in the cool of evening to see the Greek ladies
and princcsses walking there, with their ra-
ven hair scarcely confined, and the rich vc;l
turned aside: their classic features and fine
forms harmonizng we'll with the exquisite
scenery around-But now every path is sill
ent there, and their palaces are deserted.
We set out carly one morning, party of
Esix, to make the tour of the walls of Con
stantinopl". 1t was very sulty and cloud
less day, but any fatigue would have been re-
paid by such promenade. The country in
the Immediate neighborhood it is vain TO at
tempt to describe These ancient walls have
a most noble and venerable appearance; they
are about 40 feet high in many parts, with
their towers quite shroudcd with ivy. But
it was in vain we attempted to discover the
place of the breach by which the Turks en-
tered The whole circuit of the walls is 19
miles; but the line towards the sea is not so
lofty. About mile off, on the plain is the
lofty mound where Mahmoud planted his
standard, and first beheld the city; and
transported with its beauty. swore by the
prophet never to stir thence till it was his
own. It's directly opposite the gate of Top
hean, whence the unfortunate Constantine
made his last sally, and being mortally
wounded, was borne TO shaded spot near by
where he expired.
There was an Armenian coffee-housc at
this place, outside the wal: we entered it,
and soon felt the reality OF oriental luxury.
When exhausted by heat and fatigue to re-
cline on soft cushions by the side OF 4 foun-
tain, to drink Arabian coffee or sherbct, and
take the Arg lie, whrrt the smoke, after
passing through q vase OF water, COME cool
cd thro' a soft and curling tube to the mouth
all this acts on the senses with a powerful
charm. We afterwards came to the rains
of small Greek chuych lately destroyed,
that had been held i'll peculiar vencration on
account OF some sacred fish preserved there
in a pool with infinite care. At the storm
ing of the city by M M.hmoui, the wall near
watch this church stood was considered i'm
rprcguable. One OF tie Greek priests was
frying some fish, secure in his situation. On
Il messenger entering with the news that the
Turks were forcing their way il, i would
as soon believe, exclaimed the priest, that
this fish would leap out OF the pan ANA swim
about the room, as such an Impossible
event Strange to say, the thing actually
| nlppcnSu, ana THESE SdCFcu IiSil were Pre-
served till lately mviolable, out they too
have fallen, with their masters, before tive
sacrilegious Turks. While we were there,
two poor Greeks drew nigh, with marks OF
the deepest reverence, and one OF them shed
tears at the sight OF the ruins. We then took
boat and landed not far from the Almcl-
dan, or chief square Of the city: here stands
the splendid mosque Of Sultan Mahmoul;
but no European at that time was allowed to
enter the mosques, and we could only 5a2e
on the outside of Saint Sophia. On passing
by one OF the gates of the seraglo It stood
open and afforded "a glimpse at the gardens
within but this WAS forbidden ground. At
the foot of the gate lay number OF the
wretched Greeks, and the boys were tumb
linz them about like foot balls. Near this
was A large fountain Of strikinSly rich and
elegant appearance, carved and glded on the
four sides, with several streams OF water
gushing out The care shown by tins peo.
Die to provide the luxury OF water for tn
traveller, cannot be too highly praised, ana
prevails all over the East. At intervals
along the road, and within the city, are cree
ted neat stone fountains, placed, il possible, |
in the shade of trees, with tin vessel, sGs-
pended by chain, to drink out Of. We en-
tered next the great bazaar, called the Be-
zestein. The bazaars arc places OF nigh i'll .
terest to lounge in. Each trade has It's own |
street aud department. The circular root,
+,. liyh ami t;,rs tl,eu