Hiring a _peramidias_, or one of the beautiful boats which ply on
the canal, I proceeded, accompanied by my janissary and dragoman, to
make the circuit of the city, by rowing round the Seraglio Point into
the sea of Marmora, then landing at the Seven Towers, and walking across
the isthmus by the famous wall to the Golden Horn, where we again
embarked, and returned to Pera. On passing the Seraglio Point, we
remarked a number of cannon of different forms, ranged apparently more
for effect than defence, as a sloop of war with a commanding breeze
might dislodge the men; such is their exposed situation. Although two of
the guns appeared to be of the calibre of sixteen or seventeen inches,
and calculated to throw some immense stone-balls, which we observed near
them, others were of small calibre, but having twelve barrels; over
them, were suspended some very large bones, about which I could not get
even a marvellous account, both my companions declaring honestly their
ignorance of their history. The current sent us, with astonishing
rapidity, round the Point, (on which men are always stationed with small
lines to track boats upwards,) and we soon landed under the Seven
Towers. The town on the west side, towards the sea presents a poor and
miserable appearance. We were allowed just to enter the outer court of
the castle, as it may be more properly called than the Seven Towers,
because there are only two conspicuous towers, and I suspect that the
term Seven Towers was originally applied to the whole wall which runs
across the isthmus, and which has seven gates, over each of which was
formerly placed a tower.
Leaving the castle, we proceeded along the great road which runs
parallel to the venerable and highly interesting triple walls, said to
have been begun by Constantine, and enlarged by the second Theodosius.
They consist of alternate courses of large flat bricks and stones, in
some parts perfect, with their battlements and towers; in others partly
destroyed by earthquakes or time--the whole rendered venerable by thick
ivy or shading trees. The height of the walls is such, that, when near
them, the town is completely hid; and as the ditches are well cultivated
as gardens or orchards, and the country beyond is clear of houses, it is
difficult to fancy one's self so near the thickly populated city, once
the mistress of the eastern world. The distance across the isthmus to
the Golden Horn, or harbour, is about four miles, and the walls are
uninterrupted by the before-mentioned gates. At about two-thirds of the
distance, we came to Baloucli, where, in the ruins of a chapel dedicated
by Justinian to the Virgin, is a fountain or well of excellent cold
water, said to contain fish, black on one side and red on the other, or,
according to tradition, half fried.
The Golden Horn, or harbour, terminates by the Valley of Sweet Waters,
the sides of which are adorned with pleasure-grounds, and an imperial
kiosk, near which, with extremely bad taste, art and expense have been
exerted to the utmost to constrain and prune nature, so as to destroy
the luxuriance and wildness of the rivulet and its banks, by giving them
the appearance of a straight canal, passing through an avenue of formal
trees, and occasionally over flights of marble steps, intended to
represent cataracts. On gala days, this spot is the scene of festivity
and enjoyment for persons of every sect; and before the last dispersion
and persecution of the Greeks, is said, in consequence of the number of
their women who frequented it, to have presented extraordinary animation
and attraction. The sultan was often to be found enjoying the sight.
Beyond this valley is another, where his horses are turned out to graze
in the spring, and which takes place with extraordinary ceremony and
pomp. So much consequence was formerly attached to the noble animals,
that petitioners address themselves to the imperial stirrup. Between
the Valley of the Sweet Waters and the walls, is the village of Eyub,
pleasantly situated, adjoining to which are several palaces, belonging
to members of the imperial family. But the most remarkable and
interesting monument is the mosque or tomb of Eyub, (a disciple of
Mahomet, who was killed in the first siege of Constantinople, in 608,)
erected by Mahomet II. after the capture of the city, as is said, in
consequence of the place of his sepulchre having been revealed to one of
his favourites in a dream; he immediately ordered an excavation to be
made, and very soon, either by hazard or imposture, a marble slab was
discovered.
The Valley of the Sweet Waters, Eyub, and the country immediately behind
the walls, may be considered the only pretty spots near Constantinople;
for beyond them, and in other directions, nothing is to be seen but an
expansion of unpopulated, and, at this time, sunburnt downs.
_Jones's Travels_.
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