Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-04


"Beauti.l .or situation, is Tie expression
which is especially appropriate for Constan-
tinople No wonder the Roman emperors
chose TO leave the banks OF the muddy 'riber
and build their palaces by the brilliantly
clear waters Of the Bosphorlis and the Golden
Horn. ~ NoHder the rulers OF G..tce
were glad t. r..Ee the gray and barren peaks
of their own native land and feast their eyes
on the gently undala,lng hills of the European
and Asiatic shores covered with enchanting
green All this lovely scenery comes before
one in very striking manner as lac gazes
from the deck of steamer while it moves at
half speed around the Seraslo Point,
coming from the sea of Marmora.
or comes down the Bosphorus,
moving only enough faster than the current
for the steamer TO feel her helm The best
views from landward may be obtained from
the Genoese tower in Galata the Seraskier
tower in Sramboul and the observatory of
the Home" school in Scutan A traveller
who desires TO get as many phases Of the
view as possible should visit all these places,
and the best impression Of C0nstantinopc is
gained ut little distance too minute in
spection tends to dspel the pleasant impress
sion of more distant view Nothing has
ever interested me more than the panorama
presented TO the eye while sitting on the bal
cony OF the Home of summer evening.
The lights of the city extending far into the
dim distance, the water Of the herbor reflect
ing back the lights along lis shores. and the
lamps of steamers and small craft moving on
its placid surface, combine to make up 4
scene strangely weird and enchanting
The illusions of these general views are
largely dispelled when the traveller plunges
into the heart OF the city. twists his ankles
on the rough fitting pavements, meets the
vile, ravenous and leprous dogs on every
hand, and smells the garlicky compounds
which afford such savory dishes 10 an
Oriental. But there is so much to interest
the keen observer that he Is constantly led
on to see more and more. lie hears the
endless babel of languages and sees almost
every conceivable costume displayed on the
streets The ends of the earth are met to-
gethcr representatives Of the highest clvill-
zatiop iostic against the dark skinned, rag
ged and dirty peasants from the far interior.
Inhabitants of each district Of Turkey IN
Europe and ASIA and Africa cling closely to
their various costumes. The styles .oi
''hamals," or pOrtcrs who carry heavy
burdens ON their backs ur suspend
them from long poles, resting The
ends Of the poles ON lhelr shotl-
dcrs, the clumsy wagon drawn by
oxen whose step is slower, as everything Is
slower in this eastern world, these and
thousand other strange sights bcwilder and
intensely absorb the attention OF the sight
seer. Then there are the ''caques. or long
narrow skiiTs that glide noiselessly over the
clear waters OF the harbor, propcllcd 10y the
long oars of men dressed IN picturesque
baery trousers and embroidered white Jack
cts One must take nde IN a
caique, reclining on Inc 'ushiohs
comfortably arranged on The bottom
if he would experience the most hiNuriohs
and dreamy sensation of motion that is pos
sible in the world. 1t is probable the sui
tans of Turkey have been influenced to
build their palaces ut the waters edge IN
order that they could enjoy ut their doors
this delicious form Of locomotion IN calIues
Of state But at present the dirty smoke oil
the ferry steamers that fly up and down The
Bosphorus is biackening the marble OF these
palaces, and the pulling steam launches ci
the numerous Pashas have neafly suppressed
ed the caiques of state, and the present SUI
tan, for greater personal security, mas
retreated to the Ildiz Kiosk built on sum
init little back from the water 50 that the