Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-11-24

From This interesting spot we went to the Mosque
of Sulesssan the Magnificent one of the most glor-
Gus Monuments of Ottoman architecture, built I'M
der the greatest of the Ottoman Sultahs; ifiAstye
of grandeur worthy of the splendor of his reign, by
Sinana in 1850, finished in 1856 The plan Of this
mosque is according 10 its divisions exactly the
same as that of all the fourteen great mosques and
apparently built entirely after the pattern Of St
Sophia, but with the view to surpass it. As re-
CARDS the regularity of the plan the perfection Of
the individual parts, and the harmony OF the whole
give preference to this mosque. gaf 50
Tired of taking off our shoes, and hearing the
Koran read TO the people, we concluded we had seen
enough of mosques, and went to the Tomb Of Sui
tan Mahmood and his family, which is built of the
purcst marble, and fitted mp in the most extrayagant
manner The tombs in the interior are covered
with black, inlaid with mother of pearl on the top
of which are number Of cashmere shawls of great
value. Diamond and pearl work are to be seen in
greatprofasion and the stands containing the Koran
are really elegant
At the tomb we procured horses and rode to the,
Seven 7o,oers, called jedi Rou an isolated building
at the West angle of the city, where the walls which
CIOSS Tie COliucCb luS eco VI
Few things in this city interested more than my
walk around the imperial castle, once State pris
on-and the same which procured for CONSTANT
nople the proud name of the "well defended city,
Time has laid his running hand upon it and the
whole fabric is in state of dilapdation. Three Of
the towers have nearly disappeared, and those re-
naming are 200 feet high. Passing the Cannon
Gate, through which Mahommed II made his tri-
umphant enree into the Christian city, we were con-
Quoted to the cemetery in which the 10000 Jannis-
saries were buried The fatal mark of death by
the bowstringis conspicuous on the tombs, as
warning to rebels that they cannot elude the ven
geance of the Porte.
The following day we procured caigue and
rowed up to the Soeet Waters, situated at the ex-
IRENE point Of the Golden Horn. The place de-
rives its name from number Of springs whose
waters are supposed to be sweeter probably than
other springs In fair weather this of the most
beautiful excursions in the world. The Sultan and
his Haren resort here every Friday and great con-
course of Turkish ladies and gentlemen to meet
them. This was the only opportunity that we had
Of seeing the Sultan's PETS and the black eunuchs
who attended them were so cautious that we on
ly caught an occasional glimpse enough however
to convince US that we could select much better
harem in the United States if our laws were not so
binding on the subject
No one leaves Constantinople without making an
excursion on the Bosphorus to the dark and stormy
Euxine. English and Turkish steamers run in COM
petition and those living at the various villages along
the European and Asiatie shores have every accom-
mediation and transact their business in the city
with as much facility those living there To des-
cribe the beauties of the Bosphorus to distant
reader would be beyond the power of the most
gifted. Nothing can exceed the beauty of the
scenery along its banks.
''The European with the Asian shore
Sprnkled with palaces; the ocean stream,
Here and there studded with seventy -four;
Sophia's eupola with golden CLEAN;
The cypress groves; Olympus high and hoar,
The twelve isles, and more than could dream,
Far less describe, present the very view or
Which eharmd the charming Mary Montagu." 3
Either side is lined with the magnificent palaces
ofthe various Sultens numerous villages and country
seats of the foreign Ambassadors We remained
one night at Bayukde7e to enjoy the scenery by
moonlight, and partake of an excellent fish supper
prepared by our excellent Consul, Mr. Brown
The next morning we visited our accomplished
Minister, Mr.. MARSH who lives at the beautiful
village of 7erpiee. He is a ripe scholar, well &C
quainted with the Turkish language and history,
and every way fitted to represent the interest ofhs
country.
This is my last communication from the Capital
ofthe Orient. I never expect to see it again as I
now see it. In a short time the power of the Sui
tan must give way, the character of his people
change, and the glory of the Ottoman empire be
submerged by the Rushing people.
Yours, &c, TENNEssEAN.