Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-01-25

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TO the winding staircase. A step OF two lower
and amid innumerabIe columns, rising on ever
hand, we discerned the water cleaning under tn
light Of our torches % s5la q ..9eg3r ~
0 ave were soon seated in the boat and tn,
0 Turk, equipping himself with pair Of sculls
showed us off, The splash Of the chain that haC
moored the boat as It fell heavily into the water
echoed throughout the vaulIed cavern. stal
never forget the feeling of fbewilderment that fol
the first few minutes crept over me. Rows o.
marble columns seemed to rise endessly, while
their polished surfaces glisened in the torchlght
The eastern dress of our guide, the flowing beard
the dismal silence.of the strange place, unbrokeh
save BY padding of the boat, and the cleaning
of our unearthly lights, made me think of the po.
cts description of the Stygan ferryman. Afterla
istime L began to look around more attentiyey..-
The columns are'of marble; many Of them with
Corinthian capitals, though we saw some Of the
composite, and offers of the Doric order. Some
retained all the sharpness Of their exquisite finish,
while others seemed to be undergoing dilapida-
tions from the hand Of Time 9s17Q .fgsIai,L 10
80 "They appeared to be the spoils of more than
one temple appropriated by imperial builders to
this use We looked for an inscription but could
no where find one!h The roof seemed in excellent
condition, and appeared to be fifteen or twenty
feet above the surface of the water. Unlike most
other guides, ours was by no means cotnmunica-
tive, and only by diht Of questioning him, could
we learn anything from him.. He said, "the wa
ter is unfathomdbe, and it IS as it has always
been" / am of opinion that there was from
twelve to fifteen feet depth Of water in the cistern
| 1t extended under several streets, ana from the
darkness and gloom which envelopes il, its area
seems Of great extent. 1t may welIbc called lake.
After padding to one extremity which we found
to consist Of a WE'LL faced with blocks of marble,
and reaching nearly across it in the opposite di-
rection, guide, in spite of our entreaty deter
mined to ascend. WecouId learn nothing Of the
mode by which the water finds entrance--Inost
likely by some underground course, and obtain
egress in similar manner. We at length reach
ed the staircase, and, much against our will, were
compelled to leave this wonderful cistern which
we would gladly still further have explored ''la'
The reluctance of the Turks to allow these un-
dergrourd reservoirs to be explored, probably ari-
ses from the fact that If their courses we're known
they would disclose many entrances to the city,
and so facilitate the admission of a. foe Another
reason may be given! The Turks are excessively
supersttious. They believe ii ghosts, goblns,
and demons, and fancy that the powers Of dark
ness and destruction take up their abodcs in pla-
ces like these subterranean retreats. The tradi-
tons Of the cruelties practced on the Greeks in
those artificial caverns have not yet died away;
and when we add that these excavations have been
used by the Turks for the most detestable purpo-
ses of revenge, intrigue and political necessity
The father of the present Sultan once foundthc
one above described very useful.a ,5, s,d }oI
Selim had been dethroned and imprisoned by
the ,Janissaries, and Mustapha Nv, reigned in his
stead. This arrangement did not at all suit Bar
actier--a general who marched to Constantinople
at the head Of forty thousand, men. Having OBJ
tanned possession Of the capital, he fastened to
the soraglio, but found the gate closed, and every
preparation made for a determined defence. The
general, disappointed, but not intimidated, gave
orders for an immediate assault The contest
lasted only hort time, but the interval was fatal
to Selim. On the sound the first shot, the emis
saries of the Sultan were despatched to the apart
ments of -Selim--whom, Notwithstanding he was
at his devotion, they strangled From the murder
of Seim, the executioners proceeded to the apart
ments of Mahomud, the younger sou of Abdulha-
mid, and the only remaining prince of the blood
royal. There was still some hope for the Sultan,
in the eventual death of his brother Selim was
no more; the audacious Baraltier himself would
respect the last of the Ottoman race. The mutes
rushed into the chamber of the confined prince,
but he was no where to be found. Tothe fond fe-
licty of slave he was indebted for his life. At
the moment that Baractier hadrushed into the pail
ace, .Manmoud, who had first been concealed in
the furnace of bath, guided by the slave was
cautiously threading some subterranean passages,
until they gainedan opening or recess in the wal,
from which .opened,a door thatlcopcealed fight
of steps, The slave had brought torch with him
and as he held it alo(t, the future Sultan gazed in
some trepidation on a mass of darkly flowing wa
ter bas .s3yi8eHpsB uzsgag li a#c! yHiSaH
"Whither Iwouldst thou conduct meg he de-
manded!ai qioh' g37H9 VI aIqoaq 5.t eaGha' nlpa5
,"To life and throne!" answered the slave, de-
eisively. These waters flow under the streets of
Constantinopie, and run from the. harbor of Perat
mi to the Sea of Marmora.s Behold the means Of
safety have provided!'SI, The Prince, on looking
DOWN beheld small boat; apdas he saw no 9TH
erchance ,ofescupe, he stepped intoit, followed
byuhis faithful slave, who had previously taken
the precautioi to close the door on the landing
After rowing about for few minutes, the prince
endeavored to pierce the gloom by which he was
surrounded; but the feeble rays Of the torch only