Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-07-04

ing the marks of neglect and Decays efacing fin
gers" which enclose the town of Stamboul anG
extends along the waters edge some 10 or 10 miles
| and this have mentioned as built along gently
rising ground, mosques and minarets are sprinkled
plentifully among the low and fiat rooted dwellings
Along the ridge alone with beautiful sky for a
back ground counted nearly 80 of these immense
mosques, with their huge and swelling dornes and
cupalas and along the waters edge as many more
see themselves mirrored in the CLASSY wave beneath
and all throughout the city they mingle with the
common dwellings. The mosques have generally
two minarets; ST. Sophia has four, and that of So
lyman the magnificent six. These minarets resem-
BILE much our tallest monuments, like that of Wash
ington at Baltimore, and are as high above the
mosques as that is above ordinary dwellings. They
are of uniform diameter until near the top, when
they taper to point, and this part is painted black
or slate color-the rest is of marble whiteness.-
Just below where this division is made by the two
colors there is gallery in which is an opening
where the muezzin Issues to announce the hour Of
prayer,which he does in singing monotonous tone
four times, turning himself North, South, East,
and West that all the nations of world may turn
to the true God. .e X. 1'r sa,..
'sAllah ell Allah" is cried five times day, and
then the faithful, wherever they may be, perform
their additions, washing their arms, feet and head
and kneel with their faces towards Mecca, and bow
their heads to the ground very many times, some-
times till they are very much exhausted. You
know that it is not allowed Musselman to taste
wine. but it is said they now drink champagne and
reason that he did not prohibit their travelling on
railroads, as such things neither existed or we've
dreampt of in his philosophy. These Turks have
such beautiful names for their beautiful things
the Golden Horn" for their harbor, filled with the
ships Of all nations, where thick and towering
masts form forest of themselves. On one side is
Constantinople and Stamboul, on the other Pera,
(the Frank quarter.) Tophanna, which name signi-
ies cannon foundry which gave the name to this
suburb, and Galatia 3f
One of the prettiest sights here are the caiques,
dancing on the waves in the Golden Horn in every
direction. They are in form like our Indian ca
noes, sharp, and both ends long and narrow, and
much ornamented with prettycarving though with
out paint. They have no Seats and you place your
self in the bottom, and light that you must give
warning when you would change from one side to
the other, lest in an unguarded moment you
topple the boat over. These boats are in the
place of carriages, Of which there are but few and
until lately none and it is said they nu..e. less
than so 900 Another of these beautiful names is the
"Valley of Sweet Waters" where they go to pass
their fete s holidays, which being at some distance,
the women go in gilded cart, with canopy over
the top, and are drawn by oxen. intend to have
a ride In one before leave. was conveyed from
the steamer to our lodgings in palanqun, two men
sustaining it behind and one before. The Turkish
women, dressed like those in Smyrna, with their
teridgee of green, notwithstanding their eyes can
not be make good use Of their own, and stretch
ed themselves forward and exerted themselves in
every way to get view of the interior of my u
nique conveyance. J. and H. would laugh to see
of these little Turks about three or four years
old with their strange dress and their feet tucked
under them, looking as grave as grandee among
them. They have very significant name for a
species of confectionery among them, = Mouthful
of Comfort" some Of which niust, will keep,
preserve for my little ]. & H. and Which would
now gladly give in exchange for kiss from my
my dear little jewels .., .,a+.
Expecting to address you again from this new and
strange city, once more farewell. H. A. c.