UNKIAR SKELESSI. 265 



Black Sea. Its width varies, and so does its 

 scenery. Both sides are tolerably well-studded 

 with houses, sultan's palaces, castles, kiosks, and 

 villas, and the green of the foliage of the ordinary 

 trees, varied with the hue of the stately, sombre 

 cypress. So magnificent, indeed, is it, that it is 

 useless to attempt, by description, to convey any 

 idea of it. 



Nearly opposite to Therapia, we were shewn 

 Unkiar Skelessi, so celebrated for the treaty, 

 offensive and defensive, between Russia and the 

 Porte which bears that name, by which Russia 

 was bound to assist Turkey, with troops or ships, 

 against any of her enemies whenever she might 

 think fit to require such assistance ; and Turkey, 

 in place of succouring Russia in a similar manner, 

 against the enemies of Russia, was to shut up the 

 Dardanelles against foreign ships of war, when- 

 ever Russia might call upon her so to do. This 

 treaty expired in July last. 



I believe that fires are more frequent in Con- 

 stantinople than in any place in the world, and 

 there need be no wonderment at their being so 

 destructive, because almost all the houses are 

 built of wood. The merchants' store-houses in 



