Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-11-28
THE PLAGUE AT CONSTANTI-
NOpLE.

AL the while that stayed at Constant.
nople the plague was prevailing but not
with any degree of violence, its presence,
however, lent a mysterious and exciting,
though not very pleasant interest to my
first knowledge Of an Oriental city; it gave
tone and color to all saw, amp all felt
a tone and color sombre enough, but true.
and well befuing the dreary monuments of
past power and splendor. With all that is
most truly oriental in its character, the
plague is associated 1t dwelIs with the
faithful in the hottest quarters OF their CITY.
The coats, and the hats of Pera are held to
be nearly as innocent of infect ion, as they
are ugly in shape and fashion; but,he rich
iurs, and the costly shawls, the broidered
shoes, and the golden laced saddle cloths
the fragrance of burning aloes, and the
rich aroma of patch ouli-these are the
signs which mark the famii es home of the
Plague You 60 out from your living
London--the centre of the greatest, and
strongest among all earthly dominions-
you 60 ont thence, aud travel on to the CAP
lal ofan Eastern Princc--you find but
waning power, and faded spIendor, that
inclines you to laugh, and mock: but let
the internal Angel of Plague be nj hand
and he more mighty than armies-more
terrible than Suleyman in his glory, can
restore such pomp, and majesty to the
weakness of the Imperial walls, that if
,Ohen he is there, you must still 90 prying
among the shades of this dead Empire, at
least you will tread the path with seemly
rever ance and awe.
And perhaps are you make your difficult
way, through a steep and narrow alley
which winds between blank walls and is
liule frequenied By passers, you meet on c
of those coffin shaped bundles of white
linen which implies an Ottoman lady
Painfully struggling agains, the obstacles
TO progression which are interposed by as
many folds of her clumsy drapcry, by her
big mud boots, and especially by her two
pair of slippers, she waddles along full
awkwardly enough, but yet there is some
thing of womanly Consciousness in the very
labor and effort with which she tugs, and
lifts the burden of her charms; she is close
followed by her woman slaves. OF her We
ry self you see nothing, except the dark Ia.
mlnons eyes that STARE apainS your lace,
and the tips of her painted fingers depend
ing like rose buds from out the bIanI, bas-
tons Of the fortress She turns, and turns
again and carefully chances around her on
all sides. TO see that she is safe from the
eyes Of Mussulmen, and then suddenly
Withdrawing the yahmak she shines upon
your heart and soul with all the pomp and
might Of her beluty. AMI this which so diz-
zi's your brain, is not the light, changelul
grace, which leaves you 20 doub, whether
you haveIdilen in love with body, or only
a soul; 1t is the beauty that dwells secure in
the perfeciness OF hard, downright out
lines, and in the glow OF generous color.
There is FIRE though, too-high courage
aud fire enough in the unsamed mind, or
spirit, or whatever lis, which drives the
breath OF pride through those scarcely par
ted lips. You smile at pretty women-
you turn pale before the beauty that is
great enough 10 have dominion over you.
She sees, and exul!, in your sidilness: she