EDWARD RIGGS. 89 
nearer to each other present a pleasing variety of green 
hillside, luxuriant grove and garden, and rocky shore or 
sandy beach But high above all other objects, perched 
on the summit of the abrupt hill on the Asiatic side, a 
venerable ivy-clad castle secures the attention of the be- 
holder. Its massive walls are crumbling and gray with 
age, its ports and gateways long since innocent of bolts 
or panels, yet still its grim battlements look down with 
a suited but benignant scowl upon the white-winged craft 
that pass and repass beneath it. At the foot of the hill 
on which this castle stands, a rude modern building 
represents the authoritative outpost of the ‘‘ department 
of public health.’ As your steamer approaches this 
spot the throb of the engine ceases and a small boat 
darts out from under the vessel’s side and pulls away 
with a steady stroke toward the heaith office, bearing 
the health papers of the vessel. If you are unfortunate 
enough to fall upon quarantine times, here your steamer 
will drop anchor, and here you pass your dreary days 
of imprisonment. While the traveler lingers here,—be 
it an hour or a week,—he ever has before him the hoary 
outline of this grand old castle. He can admire it, and 
study it, and sketch it; he can stretch himself on the 
deck under the awning and watch the light clouds as 
they chase each other behind its tenantless turrets. In 
whatever direction he may turn to enjoy the varied 
beauties of the scene, his eye will always revert to this 
curious structure as the one prominent feature in the 
charming picture. But soon the measured pulsations 
oi the steamer announce that you are again in motion, 
and you glide swiftly down with the current, turning 
back for one last look at that ancient ruin, and wonder- 
ing whether it is the work of Turk or Greek, Genoese or 
Venetian. Quickly the green hills close behind you, 
and with every turnin this wonderful Bosphorus you 
find yourself apparently in a new and wholly land- 
