Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-06-05


the Bosphorus II il not on elevated ground,
but p.csents grand appearance from the
channel. had good opportunity OF see
ing its eeerior, both on the land and water
side. On certain Friday, which is the
holy day Of the Mohammeeans, was stand
ing near the gateway Of the palace, and
saw the sultan come out Of the gateway On
horseback, accompanied by many great
personages Of the court, on bis way to the
Mosque TO attend prayers. The front Of the
palace presented fine appearance, aud was
seen to good advantage.
On another day, when making an excnr-
sion up the Bosphorus, toward the Black
Sea, ! had very fine view Of the palace
from the deck Of the steamer. II is build
ing Of great extent, and cost m immense
sum Of money. A little further up, no.
ticed another palace in process OF csnstiuc.
,ion and between Constan,inople and the
Black Sea, there are several others, belong
ing to the sultan. They are all delightfully."-
situated on the banks of the deep flowing
channel. 1t is said the present sultan has
a mania or rage for palaces; and from what
] saw on the Bosphorus, believe Is must
be sG He occupies them occasionally, ssa
also makes excursions to them, accompan-
led by some Of his favorite wives. Some of
the wealthy Turkish merchants, and grand.
ees, and courtiers, also have residences
along the banks Of the chann.l, and many
Of them are Of pala.ial size and magnii-
cence.
must omit here the general description
OF my visit TO Copstantinople. and at once
refer to the royal palace of Athen,. Hav>
ing been to the Acropolis to see the Par,
thenon, and to Mars Hill, and the many
other places of interest in and about this
renowned city Of antiquity, had some curl
osity to 20 into the palace. went up to the
great froHt-en.rance, and signifed mv de-
sire to the attendant. The principal officer
appeared, and gave me to understand that
it was not the dav for the admission of visit
ors. | replied that l was from America,
and had made arrangements TO leave the
city the next morning, and ,ha. unless /
saw the palace then. should be unable to
see it at all. Being informed tha. was an
American, he very kindly and courteously
granted me admission. The name america
has great charm for the Greeks and on
great state OCCASION while in Athens, was
especially favored, because / told them
was an american trdreler. The officer went
with me through the various galleries and
rooms, furnished in style Of considerable
magnificent. The palace was built by King
Otho, the predecessor Of the reigning king
but the country being small and of limited
resources, burdensome debt was incurred
thereby. The grounds and gardens Of the
palace are very beautiful, ard at certain
hours are entirely open to the public. Nv
hotel was situated near the grand square, in |
front Of the palace, and from the windows
Of my room, and especially from the b.lcony,
had fine view of the square and likewise |
of the palace ITSELF In going through tie |
grounds and gardens, was much Interest," |
ed in looking at mosaic floor, which is |
considerably below the present surface ofth |
ground. 1t was discovered some years ago.
and the earth removed from above il. II is
believed to be part Of the floor Of the Ly. |
ceum of Aristotle, . celebrated Crecian |
philosopher, disciple of Plato, and tutor of |
Alexander the Great. As he and his iol- |
lowers and his successors were accustomed |
10 give instruction in the place for walking,
they were called peripatetic philosophers.
l had the opportunity Of seeing the young
king two or three times and one of these
was on the day Of my arrival, as he was
about returning to the palace frbm his after
0SSn 1SsSS bo~A At1Ss AAk8 At11K - btil
youthful in appearance, as be is in years. |
He is the son Of the King Of Denmark, and |
brother Of the Princess Of Wales, and of the |
crown Princess of Russia. He was recent> |
ly married in St. Petersburg to daughter
of the Grauh Duke Constantine, . brother
of the Car, and therefore has family |
alliance with two of the principal reigning
sovergns Of Europe. After King Ohio re.
signed, and the throne Of Greece became |
vacant, it was offered TO Prince Alfred, the |
second son Of Qneen Victoria; but, to the /
great disappointment Of the whole Grecian
people. he declined it; and it was then off, |
cred to the young Prince William of Den
mark. On account Of the limited exten,
of the kingdom. there is general desire to
have it enlarged by the acquisition Of the
Island OF Crete and hence the people Of this |
island, in their present war with the Turks,
have the entire sympathy Of the Greeks, and
also much aid from them. Their religion
is likewise tie same, which increases the |
sympathy and desire for their success in the
s
In sketches at some future time, / may re-
fer again to my visit to this most classic of
al lands. B, r.. G,
lPswIcu.