Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-10-24

lhtSISSlJ ioi IL "do hS'S lhat NiNSo
built his bridge of boats, where he
crossed from Asia into Europe; that
Alexander the Great crossed his army
from Europe into Asia; Lcander won the
battle that ended the Peloponesian war;
from here the Grecian fleet was drawn
ashore when going to the siege Of Troy,
and here the Ottamon crescent was first
planted in Europe by Suleiman, A. D.,
1860.
At the present time, this "lock of the
sea" is most carefully watched and guard
ed by the Turkish government, and the
big guns OF the Sultan bristling both
sides OF the Dardaneles bid defiance to
the passage Of any gunboats except those
having express permission from the
Porte
Passing through the Dardanelcs, we
entered the sea oi Marmora, and as we
ucalcd its luncturc with the Bosphorus
and the Golden Horn, the magnificent
city OF Constantin"ple, like some giant
Colossus with one toot on Asia and the
Other on Europe. presented a sight not
to be described aud doubtless not sur
IA assed on the earth. In the harbor at
;Ec mouth OF the Golden Horn was every
variety OF the craft, from the lighted canal
TO the heaviest mnn-of-war. On the
Asiatic side was the Mahommedan Gene
terry. with its white tomb-stones and tall
cypress trees stretching far and wide up
he mountain slopes, presenting a view
unsurpassed by any European Gene
terry, while it is acknowledged to be the
most celebrated OF any in the realm Of
Turkey. On the European shore and on
both sides of the Golden Horn arose the
gilded dones of hundred mosques, the
marble palaces of different sutals, while
hundreds of spotlcss white minarcts
seemed to pierce the very clouds.
Amidst confusion most contounded, we
Travelled from the steamship to yawl
then to the shore, where we showed our
passports and ran the gauntlet of the
custom house; and our baggage being
transferred ton the backs OF men, not on
drays), we took carriages and were soon
in a tirst.class hotel.
While here we have been taking in the
city; and have seen many things of in-
terest, but | will not attempt to tell Of
but few. If live to get back to you,
then will talk" to you of these sights
and scenes.
We visited thesidosque of st. Sophia.
This edifce, you know. is one OF the ar
chitectual wonders of the world. twas
built by Justiniam. and when he had
finished it, he exclaimed on entering it,
IL have excelled thee, o, Solomon" The
centre of the dome is 1S0 feet above the
ground length of the interior of the
building is 143 feet, the breadth is 269
feet. There are eight porphry columns
from the Roman temple of the sun, and
four pillars of the most beautiful green
granite, which were brought from the
temple of Diana at Epesus. The lamps
hung like so many fixed stars in the
armament, and the cupalo is lighted
with twenty-four windows.
We also on Sunday the Turkish Sun
day, went to witness the Sultans pro
eession, and grand display it was. The
Sultan goes every Friday from his pal
ace to the mosque to pray" Through
| the kindness of the American consul. W.
had seats where we could see the Sultar
and the grand parade; but we were not
allowed to enter to enter the mosque al
the time of the service Soldiers lineC
the streets on both sides from the palac,
to the mosque, and also were drawn VI
all around the mosque. The Sultan, ac
companed by the Grand Vizier drove il
state IRON the palace to the mosque, ant
was followed by the high officials of tn
realm. The soldiers all presented an i'm
posing array. but especially were the reg
iment OF lancers all mounted on whit
steeds; and one regiment of infantry, a
OF whom wore green "tczes;" they wer
from the the interior of Asia, and thei
green "tezes" indicated that they wer
descended from Mohammed. 1t is sal
that "the Sultan is. the sick man {
the east" He may be, but his array in
pressed me that he is quite a robust il
valid.
The Bosphorus is as interesting histo
icallv as the Dardaneles. 1t is the stra
that connects the sea of Marmora an
the Black sea, and divides Constantine
!, ole into two cities, and is about seven mil,
in length and one in width Along il
' banks on both the European and Asiast
shore are numerous villages and palace
and embassies. and magnificent priva
residences, while boats of every desert
, ton are continually going and comm
About one mile up the Bosphorrs t.
wards he Black sea is the spot whe
Darius, the Persian, crossed on his exp
dition to Europe; and at the upper er
of the Bosphorus is Giants mounta
= from which Darius went to look dow
4 upon the Black sea; and well he nigh
- for from that point can be seen two sea
two continents, and one of the great ci
les of the world.
Opposite the point where Darius eros
ed the Bosphorus, and on the Europet
side now stands Robert College; and
great work for 10 nationalities is beil
done by this American institution. T
;, Attorney General of Bulgariais grad
' ate of this college,
Our party also took sail up t
Golden Horn; and that too is an int
esting inlet that puts out into the lal
at the point where the Bosphorus ente
the Marmora, and thus is formed
= wonderful harbor of Constantinople.
The stream is in the shape of hor
and hence its name, and it's depth is su
that the largest men-of-war can col
Y right up to the very banks. This strea
divides the European portion of &C
stantinople into two parts, and thu
are connected by bridge; and on Il
bridge is to be seen one of the sights
the Orient, for here is every rationale
every language, every custom, and eve
variety Of vehicle. But must not ia
=. more Of your time and space.
We sail Oct. 8 for Smyrna, Cyprus a
n C..-.a N....s.n tcaalxr