The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-11-30
Stretch OF THE CITY OF
CONGTANTINOPLE.

A Stretch OF THE CITY OF
CONSTANTINoPLE.
Excepting few cdhces of public utility,
the picturesque and beautiful views which
it presents, and the manners Gifts inhabitants
differing from those Of the most civilized ma
tions, Constantinople does not engage the in.
terest that may have been felt for a city of
such ancient renown. This populous city,
with it's suburbs, spread over several hills,
presents a perfect amphitheatre; and in APP
preaching it from the Propontas or sea OF
Marmor, the panoramic view is enchanting.
This picture is diversified by houses, moschs.
cupolas, and minarets; and the trees which
are every where interspersed, anord AN a
greeabe contrast, by their verdant foliage.
The Bosphorus separates Europe from A
sia and its extent from Leander's tower,
which is built in the sea, at the entrance OF
the port, to the Black Sea, is five leagues
The town of Ssutari stands on the Asiatc
coast, Immediately opposite to Constantine
ne. Both sides of this channel, which fur
nish the most beautiful sites, are embellish-
ed with innumerabie villas, and pleasure
houses, of tasteful construction, but exhib.
ting manneyism. Four of these villas are
occupied by the Grand Scigneur during the
pleasant season. The most elegant of these
palaces is the Bechik-tah, tbower OF stone,)
which rs situated near the city, and at the
extremity of the channel, and is the favour
ite summer residence of the Sultan. This
country derives its lovellness from nature,
and is but little indebted to the improve
ments OF art.
The interior of the city is disgusting in
the extreme, presenting 10 the eye nothing
but wooden houses, narrow aud ciooSed
streets, and great number OF hlthy dogs,
which superst tion preserves
The monuments and objects worthy OF
notice, are few. There is bronze column
which supported the golden tripod conse-
Grated to Apollo by the Greeks, after the
defeat of Xerxes at Platea; a very high mar
bic column. erected in honour OF Iheodosius
the G treat; and an obelsk in the hippodrome,
which was transported from Egypt, and is
in Derfect preservation. The Turks Call
this place .Itmeitan. There are numerous
fountains, well supplied with water, which
is conveyedsto the city by aqueducts. The
architecture of the mosques give them tne
effect that of st. Sophia is remarkable
This temple has been built since the SIX
teenth century, blythe architects Authemlu'
and Isidor: it is vast in its dimensions, and ha:
columns of every variety OF size, OF costly
marble.
The Serial. which is one of the first OBJ
iects that present themselves OH arriving al
the city. possesses nothing very attractive
The three palaces OF which it consists. are
. in the midst of gardens which are enclosed
Inv a high wall. They extend one league
from the mort to the imperial Chateau of Sc
ven towers. which is the dire abode OF prs
6 opers of state. Within the enclosure Oh th'
, Serial. there are nearly ten thousand person
residing, who belong to the service OF th'
Sultan.
The famous porte, (gate,) from winch thi
6 emnire derives it's name, is In the inferior
the city. andmcar to ST. Sophia. Here arr
exposed the heads of the unfortunate VIC
tins of intrigue, jealousy, avarlce. ana othe
baneful passions. Constantinopie extend
six leagues, and contains a population estl
mated at six hundred Thousand persons
; Opposite to the city are the tauoourgs
Top -Khana, Pera, Ga!ata, and hachim-ra
cha.
The largest are Pera and Cslat'a, whic
are inhabited by foreigners OF al1ereht ma
tions. who are called Franks. These EMO
the protection of the government; iera
the most commercial place, and is the resi-
dence Of Ambassadors from the Europsa
Courts, The Drogomans, who are intcrpre
, ters accredited bv the government, belon
to the best Frank families of this faubours
y who have been for a long time naturalizc
: in Turkey. These Drogomans are divide
4 into several classes. The functions OF til
e first are of the highest trust and Importance
h for they communicate between the toreig
# ministers and those of the Ottoman Port
. lin all matters. This office requires pei
: feet knowledge of various languages, and
g the usagcs and policy of the Turks ihe'
: are three churches Of the Catholic faith
d The College ofthe Itch-Oglands, is tie nu'
l. sery of the Sultan's pages, where they al
e educated until they enter the service OF I'll
,e Serail
= Forests of cypress. in the environs OF ii
;e city and faubourgs, shade the ccmetrie
>. which are called by the Turks, champ-de
.e morris Through the sombre and mourn:
II, foliage of these umbragcous trees rise va
ce number of sepuichral stones, and marb
A. sarcophagi. In these seats OF gloom. 1t
ue irnnnssihis tn view With indifference the I