The night was so lovely that we dismissed our araba, and determined on returning in a caïque as far as the Palace of Eyoub, where I had been invited by the Princess Azmè to pass the night; but, on arriving there, we found that the Sultana and the principal ladies of her household had been detained by the Sultan, and would not return until the following day.
As, however, I was fearful that the opportunity of seeing this palace might not recur, from the fact that the Princess never inhabits it save on occasions of festival at Kahaitchana, when she profits by its vicinity to the valley, I availed myself of the offer of the house-steward to show me over the state apartments, which are entirely unfurnished, but in themselves extremely magnificent. The screen of light that extended along the whole front of the building cast its glare through the unshuttered windows, and was reflected back by the gilded walls and glittering cornices. The decorations throughout are heavy, but of the greatest richness, and by far the most Oriental in their character, of any that I had yet seen. The palace was built by Sultan Selim, and its situation is beautiful. What was formerly the reception-room of that unfortunate Sovereign, is entirely lined with gilding, the walls being niched, and overhung with stalactited cornices similar to those which decorate many of our old cathedral tombs; and the weight of this elaborate ornament is relieved by a ceiling of faint blue, sprinkled with silver stars. But the absence of furniture, and the vast extent of the building, gave an air of desolation and discomfort to its whole appearance, which even the well-matted and curtained rooms that had been temporarily fitted-up for the use of the Sultana’s harem failed to overcome: and, consequently, when I had satisfied my curiosity, I pleaded the absence of Her Highness, and those individuals of her suite with whom I was acquainted, as my apology for not availing myself of her flattering invitation; and, reentering-our caïque, we dashed out into the centre of the port; and after contemplating for a time its temporary glories, were landed at the Echelle des Morts, and, passing along beneath the moon-touched and sighing cypresses of the grave-yard, soon found ourselves at Pera.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] As an example of the morals of the Greek clergy, it may not be impertinent to mention that this house was bequeathed by the Archbishop of Dercon, who died a few months ago at Therapia, to Hesterine, la dame de ses pensées.
[2] Signifying mistress, or lady.
[3] Mihirmàh, the glory of the moon.
[4] The fact of the Patriarch being not only the head of the church, but also the chief magistrate of his nation, will account for the proximity of the prison to the Episcopal Palace.
[5] I am aware that I may here be taxed with an anachronism, and reminded that in the days of Mahomet the use of tobacco was altogether unknown in Turkey; but I, nevertheless, maintain my position, being perfectly convinced that the Hourii would now beckon in vain to a paradise of which the chibouk did not form a feature.
[6] The height of the mosque to the summit of the dome is 185 French feet; the dome itself, from the gallery to the leads, 47, and its diameter, 54.