Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-05
SKETCH oFTHE CITY OF CoNsTANTINoPLE
- Eron, fhe NnfinnnL Loflrl1L

SKETCH oFTHE CITY OF coNsTANTINoPLE.
From the National Journal
E,xcepting few edi6ces of public utility, the
picturesque and beautiful views which 1t pre-
sents. and the manners of its nhaoltants,.d diner
inp from those of the most civilized nauohs'
Constantinople does not engage the interest
that NAV have been felt, for a city oil sach an
cient renown This populous city, win It's
suburbs. spread over seven hills, presents per-
feet amphitheatre; and In approaching II from
the propontas or sea of Marmora, the panora-
mic view is enchanting. This picture is diver
SIZED bv houses, moschs, cupolas, and mlnaf-
cts. and the trees which are every where inter
spersed, afford an agreeable contrast, by their
yerdant foliage.
The Bosphorus separates Europe from Asia
and It's extent from Lenders tower, winch Is
built in the sea, at the entrance OF the port, 10
the Black Sea, is FIVE leagues. The town oil
Scutari stands on the Asiatlc coast, immediate
ly opposite 10 Constantinople. Both sides OF
this channel, which furnish the most beautiful
sites, are embellished with innumerable villas,
and pleasure houses, of tasteful construction,
bu, exhibiting mgnaerism. -Four otthese villas
are occupied by the Grand Seigneur during the
pleasant season, The most elegant OF these
places, is the Bechik-tdch bower OF stone) which
is situated near the city, and at the extremity
of the channel, and is the faporlte summer res
idence Of the Sultan. This country derives Its
lovelincss from nature. and is but little indebt-
ed to the Improvements OF art.
The interior the city is disgusting IN the
extreme, presenting TO the eye nothing out
wooden houses, narrow and crooked streets, and
great numbers Of filthy dogs, which superstition
preserves.
The monuments ard objects worthy OF no.
tice. are few. There are bronze column which
supported the golden tripod consecrated 20
Apollo by the Greeks, after the defeat OF Aerx-
es at Platea; very high marble column, erect
ed in honor of Theodosius the Great; and an
obelisk in the hippodrome, which was trans
ported from Egypt, and is in perfect preserva-
ton. The Turks call this place .Atneidan.-
There are numerous fountains, well supplied
with water, which is conveyed to the city by
aoueducts The architecture OF the moschs
gives them fine effect; that of s.. Sophia is
remarkable. This temple has been built since
the sixteenth century. by the architects Anthe-
minus and Isidor; ii is vast in its dimensions, &
has columns Of every variety OF size, o. costly
marble.
The SsraL whic is one of The first objects
that present themselves on arriving at the city,
possesses nothing very attractive. he three
palaces of which it consists, are in the midst OF
gardens which are enclosed bya high WALL
They extend one league, from the port TO the
Imperial chateau of seven towers, which is the
dire abode of prisoners OF State. Within the
enclosure of the Serial, there are nearly ten
thousand persons residing, who belong 10 the
service OF the Sultan.
The famous porte (gate,) from which this
Empire derives its name, is In the inferior oil
the city, and near TO St. Sophia. Here are ex-
posed the heads Of the unfortunate victims OF
intrigue, jealousy, avarice, and other baleiui
passions ConstaGtinope extends SIX leagues,
and contains population estimated at 600 900
Opposite 10 the city, are the iaubourgs OF Top
Khana, Pera, Galnta, and Kachin' Pacia The
largest are Pera and GaIata, which are inhabit-
ed by foreigners of differen: nations, who are
called Franks These enjoy the protection OF
the government: Pera is the most commercial,
and is the residence of the Ambassadors from
European courts. The Drogomans; who are
interpreters accredited by the government, be-
long 10 the best Frank families OF this fau-
bourg. who have been for long time natural
lied i'm Turkey These DrogomanS. are dlvid-
ed into several classes. The functions OF the
first, are Of the highest trust and Importance,
for they communicate between the foreign min
listers and those Of the Ottoman Porte in all
matters This Office requires perfect knowl-
edge Of various languages, and of the usages s
policy 81 the Turks. There are three churches
of me Catholic faith. The college OF the Itch
Oglans, is the nursery Of the Sultan's pages.
where they are educated until they enter the
service Of the Serial.
Forests of cypress, in the environs OF the CT
ty and faubourgs, shade the cemeteries, which
are called by the Turks, champsdes-morts.-
Through the sombre and mournful foliage OIL
these outrageous trees, rise vast number O
sepuIchral stones, and marble sarcophagi In
these seats of gloom, it is impossible to view
with indifference the pious sympathy and grie
of the Musselmans, who are seen watering the
flowers and young cypress, that are to decorate
the family tomb. For the dead, the oriental
attest the deepest respect The Armenian Gem
etery, on the contrary, is the most trequeniee
promenade of Constantinople. Here, the beat
mode, Turks excepted, repair TO enjoy the ru
raj pleasures, and wander among the tomb
stones, forgetful at once, of the death which
they commemorate, and ofthe sorrows which
it has Caused
Ihe harbour separates the town and its sub