ENGRAVINGS IN THIS VOLUME. Pertusier's Constantinople. The Hyppodroome View of Constantinople from the Tower of the Janissaries View of the Imperial House of Pleasant Waters View of Top Khané View of Theropia View of the Valley of the Grand Seignior Gourbillon's Travels in Sicily. to face the Title. 10 24 46 10% 130 76 Fragment of a Chaldaic Inscription on one of the ancient Towers of Palermo 14 24 58 PROMENADES IN AND NEAR CONSTANTINOPLE, AND ON The Waters of the Bosphorus. BY CHARLES PERTUSIER, ONE OF THE SUITE OF THE FRENCH EMBASSY AT THE OTTOMAN PORTE. WITH ENGRAVINGS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR SIR RICHARD PHILLIPS AND Co. BRIDE-COURT, bridge-strEET; AND TO BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. INTRODUCTION. THE capital of the Osmanlis, or Turks, whether considered under the names of Byzantium, Constantinople, or Istambol, forms a noble groupe of truly interesting objects; and, to a traveller of taste and sensibility, presents recollections that strike the mind with admiration, and may be contemplated with pleasure and instruction. Its imposing situation, on the confines of Europe and Asia, produces a grand effect; while a continual display of the beauties of surrounding nature has a tendency to excite sentimental feelings, where every view is a picture bursting on the sight, in a soil covered with the richest luxuriance. The general effect is strengthened when we reflect, that, during a long succession of ages, this city has increased the stores, and confirmed the truths of our historical monuments; itself, in the diversity of its annals, and from the important matter they contain, having been the arena of transactions peculiarly conspicuous. Byzias is stated to have been its founder; but without referring to ingenious conjectures or profound researches on this subject, its being adopted by Constantine ensures a more particular claim to our attention. From that era, its history, topography, and literary materials, contain much information relative to the political world in general, and to the ecclesiastical state in particular. In the decline of the Roman empire, the various accounts of Constantinople occupy more space, as exploring a field almost new, than those of its Italian rival. Degeneracy, however, tarnished the character of its governing powers, and nothing could efface the deep stain, but the general subversion of a corrupted empire, by the founding of a new monarchy on its conquest and subjugation. A new system of laws, new forms of government, succeeded, adapted to the manners, dispositions, and habits of a people altogether warlike. Like the ancient seat of empire, Constantinople, in its local situation, rests on the primitive bases of seven hills. These, coated with solemn temples, with sumptuous fabrics, and innumerable distant habitations, charmingly blend in the aerial perspective, and compose a perfect picture of themselves, on the peninsula which they cover. As the eye continues its range over this amphitheatre, the bright colouring of woods, copses, &c. enriched with delicate foliage, and partially overshadowed with the roofs of buildings, affords the fullest gratification to the sight, in the rich mingling of light and shade. An alluring sentiment appears likewise to insinuate itself in the rural simplicity, or rather, the patriarchal character of the inhabitants. This taste and inclination are not merely the resemblance, but the persevering imitation of the first ages, as if produced by, and studiously copied from the admirable originals. This grateful association furnishes a panorama calculated to feast the eye, and afford a very agreeable entertainment to the fancy; while the understanding is made acquainted with subjects that embellish and illustrate poetry and painting. Washed by the waters of the Propontis, the spectacle from Constantinople is a real curiosity of its kind. The eye acquires an unlimited command over the most beautiful images, both in nature and art. In the horizon appears the chain of Mount Ida, reaching to the borders of Olympus, whose lofty head in the clouds seems an emblem of Jupiter armed with his thunderbolts, and interesting from the powerful emotions it excites in the mind. The northern limits are marked by that spacious haven into which the streams of Barbyces and Cydaris disembogue; their banks exhibit a continuity of suburbs, where the setting sun irradiates every dwelling, and |