Retrospect of French Literature—Miscellanies. 
together with the productions of the 
Turks and Greeks: in a word, what- 
ever the most varied luxury could pre- 
sent or conceive, as most elegant, or 
most curious, in point of apparel. 
The quarter inhabited by those who 
deal in peltry, is replete with the pro- 
ductions of Russia and Siberia. The 
immensity of these supplies may be easily 
conceived, when it is recollected that all 
the Orientals make more or less use of 
furs, and that a large portion both of 
Asia and Africa are supplied from 
thence. Here are to be found pelisses for 
both sexes, and all conditions; skins of 
martins, black and yellow foxes, ermines, 
lambs and rabbits; in one word, furs of 
every kind, and of every colour, 
The same variety, tlie same profusion, 
is to be seen in the galleries of the con~ 
fectioners. The talents of the French 
and Italians have been greatly vaunted 
in this branch of trade; but those 
who have visited Constantinople, must 
adjudge the prize to the Orientals. Here 
is to be found an innumerable quantity 
of preserved fruits, essences, extracts 
and pastes, the greater part of which 
are totally unknown in Europe; and the 
whole is ranged with so much order, and 
elegance, that it is extremely difficult to 
avoid temptation. Indeed, as commo- 
dities of this kind are to be had of all 
prices, there is no one even among the 
common people, who do not pay a little 
tribute here, as they pass along. 
In another portion of the market, the 
trade of the grocer is announced from a 
great distance, by the odour and grate- 
ful vapours which are exhaled. This is 
the common magazine of all the vege- 
table riches of India, Arabia, aud Ame- 
rica, 
Qn approaching towards the gate, the 
Bazar seems to be lost in the streets of 
the lower city. The stone arcades have 
ceased, the ground is no longer paved, 
and here and there are to be found 
wooden bridges. A new aspect is sud- 
denly assumed, but it is neither flattering 
to the sight, nor to. the smell; it is here 
that the butchers reside. A little further 
on is the fish-emarket, but as pestilential 
vapours constantly ascend from this 
quarter, it is impossible for delicate or- 
aus to remain any time here, in order to 
earn the long nomenclature of sea, and 
river fish ; which the lower orders of the 
people purchase and devour on the spot. 
The shoemakers’ shops, in this neigh- 
bourhood, are worthy of being viewed. 
One is at first surprised both by their im- 
661 
mensity, and the activity which reigns 
throughout them, It appears surprising, 
how so many of the same profession-are 
able to find employment, even in this 
great city; but the corporation of cord- 
wainers 1s not oaly more honoured here, 
than in Europe, but their workmanship 
is sO curious, that it seems to appertain 
to a science, rather than to a trade. 
Besides, there is nothing so diversified, or 
so elegant, as the shoes of the Orientals, 
for it constitutes one essential article of 
their luxury. Many of those destined 
for the ladies, are most magnificently 
adorned with pearls and jewels, while a 
great number are ornamented with gold 
and silver. They may be had of all co- 
lours, except green, which is sacred 
among the Mussulmans, and would be 
profaned by the touch of a human foot, - 
The taylors also, have a particular spot 
allotted to them, and display a grand 
assortment of oriental garments. The 
places too, where silk and cotton are 
spun, merit particular attention, ‘The 
engines made use of on those occasions, 
are coarse and despicable in the extreme, 
for in a country where none is sure of 
enjoying his property in peace and secu» 
rity, who would put himself to any uone- 
cessary expence? 
The whole of a narrow lane is occupied 
with works of literature, and there you 
may find Persian, Tartarian, and Arabie 
works in folio, and in quarto, beaped 'to- 
gether on tables: but night now ap- 
proaches, and the Bazar is lighted up in 
the Oriental manner, by millions of lan= 
thorns and lamps, which shed a brilliant 
artificial light, and astonish the traveller, 
by the splendour of the spectacle. 
“ Varietés, &c,”—Varieties, or Mis- 
cellaneous Papers. 1. A description of 
the Medals in the Museum Knobelsdorf- 
fianum, by M. Srsrinz.” ' 
The Baron de Knobelsdorff, during his 
residence as ambassador at the Ottoman 
Porte, collected a great number of coins, 
which he carried with him, at the con- 
clusion of his diplomatic career, to Ber- 
lin, where he built a museum for their 
reception, 
Sestini, well known for his numismat- 
tic erudition, having applied to him for 
permission to describe some of the most 
scarce and valuable of his coins, this was 
readily granted. Accordingly, out of 
18,000 Grecian ones, he has here select- 
ed, and presented an account of 1720, 
which he has arranged geographically, 
Ile begins northward with the Tauri- 
‘dian, Chersonesian, Meesian, Thracian, 
and 
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