Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-13
A THOUSAND MOSQUES,

and the beautiful Turkish marine villas,
together with the numerous and splendid
palaces of the sultan which line the Bos-
phorus on either side as far the eye can
reach, rejecting their image in the
mirror OF thu deep or creeping up the
crested mountain and tracing their out
line In the eXpanse of the blue and
ctoudless sky.
Entranced by this magnificent spectacle,
the majesty of nature crowned with all the
grandeur of art, one can but feel as if all
the faculties of their soul were insufficient
fully to embrace its glories. You hardly
retain power to breathe, and almost appre-
bend that IL doing so, it might dispel the
glorious vision leaving the whole form but
d delusive dream with eyes riveted on
the expanding splendors, one begins at last
to realize that this is COnstantinople with
all its grandeur spread before him. and he
comprehends that he is at last In the domain
of the magnanimous, much-b beloved, and
all powerful sovereign, his imperial majesty
Abdul Homid Khan IL Our attention
was attracted directly over the bow of our
ship toward the palace of Eolmabagh sheh
This splendid building with its lofty
marble columns and flights Of stairs, its
harmony with the surrounding scenery, its
vast extent and its bright white color shin
ing out in brilliant contrast with the deep
blue of the Bosphorus, forms most strik-
ing feature causing a momentary concen-
tration of ones thoughts. This was for
merly favorite residence of the sutans.
but the present sultan has never taken up
his residence there.
We landed at Top-Lauch The streets,
so narrow near the quays, presented to US
many novel sights. The passing crowd
seemed to have no common sympathies,
jostIing each other in silence; women veil
ed in long caftans, men with green turbans,
Bostanjis, Jens and Armenians, encounter
Greeks, Albanians, Franks and Tartars.
Amid the many novelties which struck US
on landing nothing surprised Us more than
the silence that rervades everywhere. The
only sounds one hears by day are bread,
fruits, sweetmeats, etc, carried in large
wooden trays on the heads of itinerant
vendors, and at intervals the barking of
dogs distm bed by the foot of the pas
senger, lazy, ugly ours of reddish
brown color, with muzzles like that of
fox, short ears, and famished look, who lie
in the middle of the streets and rise only
when reused with blows. Adjoining Top
LAUGH is the quarter called Galata, also
bordering the port. This is the principal
seat of commerce. In 1915 mercantile
was established here by the
Genoese, which so rapidly increased in
as to obtain from the Greek
enperors the privilege to be governed
by the republic, and of being fortified by
walls and towers which remain today
The Gencese repaid his indulgence with
ingratitude, and the Latin colony termin-
ated with the Greek empire.
The quarter crowning summit of the
promontory above is called Pera. Here is
the headquarters of diplomacy, and is in
habited by Franks, the name given by
Turks to all Europeans who are judged by
the laws of the nation Of the ambassador
by whom they are protected. The am
bassador. the foreign ministers with the
charged affaires of the smaller powers, also
the consuls, reside here
IN THEIR FINE PALACES
in the winter, and occupy splendid villas
On the Bosphorus during the summer. In
Pera are situated the principal hotels: We
repaired at once to apartments, and had
scarce Y taken a glimpse OF the extensive
view commanded from our windows over
5he 5tamboul (the ancient Byzantium) and
|
naval ships of the Sultan are lying at
anchor, before card was handed Us bear
ng the name of his Excellency Fayk
Pasha. to whom we had the letters, and
who had ben on the lookout for our ar
,ival Surprised at this unexpected mark
If attention on the part of one whom we
had nrver had the pleasure of meeting, we
FASTENED with our toilet and descended to
meet very cordial welcome to CONSTANT
lople from one of his majestys most
aithful subjects. The pasta most
graciouslv told US that he was at our dis
,osal for the day. 1t being Friday. the
Turkish Sunday, he proposed our going to
he Selamlik. which we were obliged to
make haste about, as the troops We're
It that moment passing under our win
lows on their way to the palace. The
'elamlik is the name of the ceremoney