Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-20
PERA OF CoNsTANTINoPLE.

The English are few here; they are wise, and
they abolish those forms which clog, and, IN
deed prevent social intercourse. ! am domi-
ci!iated with Mr. c. with whom | have expe-
rienced the greatest kindness: he is an intelli-
gent Young man, and perhaps the most learned
of the English here, being master OF the Oren-
tai languages, which are not generally studied
among the Frank residents. have dlned at
the English Palace, with Mr.. Turner, the
Charge d Affares, who has an exceedingly pref
~ wife, and fine garden-two very comtorta-
bic things dine again there to-day with
party Of English travellers Now then for Con-
stantnople Lady Mary Montague says it looks
| like toyshop, with the toys ranged one above
the other in pretty order; and so it does, at first,
to English brick-and- mortar optics. but the eye
becomes accustomed to the style OF building,
and then it certainly is incomparably beautiful.
went Yesterday 10 see the Grand Seignor so
to mosque by water, which is a sight most ele-
giant, his boat perhaps is as splendid, and at
| the same time as light and tasteful thing as
could be made; the Jewels Of it are dazzling; ne
himself is good looking man, about forty; his
counfenance is free from the ferocity generally
expressed by Turkish countenances, and which
| | have observed 10 remain even in sleep; the
few that are free from this seem to have been
| touched and humanized by sorrow. The smiles,
and unquenched, unquenchable gaiety, are mo-
nopulized by the Greeks, though daily See in
suits offered to them which makes my blood
boil 1t is even CALLING to the pride Of an En-
glishman TO walk through the streets where he
| is looked upon as something inferior 10 men,
whom he in his turn (and perhaps wisely
looks d'.vn upon as brutes. On this side of
the river, where alone Greeks and Franks are
allowed to reside, may return curse bestow-
ed upon me by Turkish porter, but must
pocket blnw; in Const antinople / must not
return curse, unless desire to sign my own
immediate death-warrant, yet, by little proud
civility,I have already acquired Turkish bow
ing acquaintance,
Mr.. C. has married Naipote Greek she
is beautiful as an angel-but dark one
am not surprised at Englishmen marrying
women Of this country-an English beauty
looks insiph here Heaven folfend that l
should pay disrespect to English beauty and,
indeed, l do not mean it:no Englishman, be-
lieve, would marry a Greek, were she alone
among his countrywomen in England but
feel assured if | wanted the article OF wife
here, would have native, Notwithstanding
they wear no stays, have waist between the
shoulders, sit with legs and feet upon sofa
which goes all round the room this last Gus
tom is general, and 10 MY laziness, is most lux
urious. | need not fear being told here, as
used to be when boy: "Sit up, do: how can
you be so idle ? Whom else do you see spraw-
ling in that way"
have to-day been round the walls Of Con-
stanlinople-th: old Roman walls; it is scene
Of departed glory on every side. On the left
are the walls crumbling amidst tall trees, on
the right, the whole way round, are Turkish
tombs for miles, canopicd by expresses; and
under the footsteps of the traveller, before and
behind, are the skeletons-don't Ire alarmed
not of human beings, but of dogs and horses.
with their fellow dogs feeding on the least bit
of flesh which may remain; but then these
dogs do not kill their fellow dogs, they only
turn to account what else would be wasted,
which is vice
was at the house of an English merchant
the other evening, who married Greek lady
and while the gentlemen were lying on the sofa,
smoking, the servant enters with preserves, and
water, and coffee-up rises the lady Of the
house and carries round to the gentlemen the
preserves Of which we, the gentlemen afore-
said, condescenG TO taste; then comes her SIS
ter with glass of water; then another lady
with co1iee; the Sehtielheh al 'hiS mt siiioA
ing most con,entedly, without any of hose im-
pertinent, "allow me, madam, cannof&ee you
rise Sc so common in England. This you
will call barbarous-out perhaps 1t Is as 1t
should be.
The cleanliness of the Turks is admirable; it
appears their greatest virtue. The common
est Turkish tradesman is always delicately nice,
more SO than most English gentlemen. The
ignorance of the Turks is astonishing and they
are proud of it.
Scoring.-An ingenious composer, Of much
talent, but Of little discretion, had run up long
score at an inn which he used to frequent. The
landlord one day told him that he should not
have any thing until he rubbed off the old score
which he Immediately did with his pocket
handkerchief, then demanded "another nog-
GIN" but was refused. sect me sheet OF
music paper, and will give you much more
valuable score,'' said he. 1t was brought; he
com posed rondo for the piano forte and sent
the landlord with ii to publisher, who gave
him more than his demand for it.