Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-03-24
Sketch of Constnnt1nonIe.


letter in the Newark Advertiser, dated COn>tan-
tmopIe, January, TO- gives tie following interesting
sketch OF that city:
Nothing can more surprise US here than zoe show
of commerce, the quantity of shipping, and the actv-
v life in the harbor Some 10000 enthusiastically
lined boats with such high sharp prows that only half
the vessel appear to touch the water-are constantly
shooting the waters between the three cities, to
say nothing OF the great awkward Terry boats; and
ships steamers and other salt water craft every
where seen displaying French, English Dutch Greek,
and Sandman flags but with never sight of the ever
beSSed Stars and Stripes" 1t is an comparable
harbor; large enough for all the shipping of the
world and must become its most inviting emporium
Of trade which can in fact never Decline since it is
The common centre Of the internal communication of
thee Continents
Wehad favorable chance Friday ofseeing the Sui
tan Monsieur Abdul Medjid) on his way 10 and from
the Mosque. His departure from the Seragllo palace
Occupying the very point of the peninsula which
stands the city, washed all sides announced
by an artillery salute, which brought out half the
population. Three gilded caiques, each rowed by 90
Or 80 SLOWLY dressed Oarsmen, comprised the royal
suite The Sultan occupied the middle one, sitting
squat on great green cloth under green canopy,
with our officers facing him. One reaching his des-
tnalion he was received by regiment of troops,
with music, and after remaining in the Mosque half
an hour came out and mounted Il caparisOned horse,
the midst of pressing crowds Of officers, pachas,
cmuchs, loafers. &c. He was enveloped in volu-
mnOus French broad cloth cloak, and bis pale, hol-
low, Fenchy face, nearly covered by flowing black
beard, was crowned with red cap, from which dam
gled a rich purple tassel Poor young man we pit
led him. for young be is (only 25) he is evidently
IeCrepit with debauch.
The troops plain European uniform, save
he cap and made tOIerahe appearance. ! observe
also that the French frock coat is generally worn by
the leading men. One Sees indeed in the streets OF
Pera and STEAMBOAT the costumes of all quarters of
The globe; mutitudes of Europeans, Asiatics, Ne
sT0es and MOOrs-a strange mixture of the stiff black
Partisan chapeau with the jaunty eastern Turkish
FeZ-the unveiled open faced beauties OF France and
Italy, intermixed with the mutfed heads and flowing
robes of the daughters of the prophet, whose muslin
chn-coths are usnaly as dirty as the yellow faces
lhey half conceal troops of children, are encOun-
tered at every turn, and treated with marked
kmdnesS and so for that matter are the dogs, whose
name is legion
Then there is something picturesque in the wild
lgIneSS OF the steep, Streets with their gro
teSque faces and jutting balconies unlike any
hng else in the world as the most ardent lover OF
contrasts could desire But if there is single spe-
cmen of architectural beauty in the place, have
ao seen 1t. The dexterous old Byzantine architects
prayed many fantastic tricks, but have not mOnu-
ment worthy of praise. The chief boasts of the IA
nous dome of St. SOphia-tt at it looks as if kept
"om falling by mricle, appearing thus TO justify
Us tabled orgn-struck me decidedly its chief de-
'ect' Tor II is purchased at an immense expense OF
institutional truth and convenience. Soap bubbles
nave their use, but this is u lying wonder-not air,
"O marble, but vast structure OF lthOdlan bricks
na pomlce stone, destitute of truth outside in.
Inc ntenor-which it cost us the trouble of the
special license TO See-is the most dreary, altarleSS
GcerIess looking place of worship ever entered
VI 'Ae three modern Italian buildings built for the
present Sultan, the Kiosk best eXempliies the sport
ss notion of blending in harmony the essential dit
and RufI n &c 1rrI
OFe run mad
men there Is not in all Europe more mGongru
w. Voklng series of buildings than the SeragIlo
Tt SIVn The engravers have so sumptuously endowed
"' &Oyrlnthian apartments are deformed with crack
n y" Su grOtesque painting, faded gliding shappy
~ niGnS and tables with here and there mirror
,"t Haem was OF course closed against us, but VIZ
r 'U see that It's windows command glorious views
.e DoSphoruS, and were told that the trap-door
J "e OF Its more comely saloons over the waters, ut
AMI 'dCileS for the escape of unweicOme children
f G "Ued beauties Embellishments paradise throng
nIl HITluen Horn! The immense kitchens of the es
bon +i"lehC were oponeG to us, and we occupied a.
fIr !" perusing their mysteries, in the midst OF III
a 20 VI hundred furnaces and cauIdrons and bar
On, " APielan luXures. But the Bazaars ntereSte
To omoSity much more than mosques and places:
l,,; oil American, accus stoned to the supple, lnsln
,,"i5 ADDRESS of our nmhle shopmen, the solem
ra y ana cold indiflerences of the proud Mussul
III ~ H"ueSman, seated with his fragrant chibuque
moneAce, in the midst of rich foreign stores
Do,L "uu'Se, Is InetfabIy amusing. No pOmpou
Go5JJeFIfy ever assumed haughtier tone than he.
no Dear high price at the lowest, and there
genesn iI'atd' no price current In the absence OF
naF ,,I regulation, buyers and sellers left
lbe,r cue ;ne best bargains they can. NOTWITHSTANDING
muU;t aeluent intercourse with the commercial con
ioIIor' Vi Europe, these people are still as devon
reoo el" as ever of the Prophet Just now they al
the ing over Their victories on the Danube of Whic
press has, doubtless. made you acquainted