TO THE BISHOP OF DURHAM. 



181 



As Lord Elgin has not found an opportunity of inquiring whether 

 the libraries of the Seraglio may be opened to us, I have entirely 

 occupied myself in my Oriental studies; and I trust the advantages I 

 possess here will not be thrown away. I have not only the oppor- 

 tunities of consulting various books, but of writing and conversing in 

 the Arabic language: and I can now do this with tolerable facility. 

 The stores of Arabic literature in the several public libraries in Con- 

 stantinople are prodigious. The histories relating to the most flourish- 

 ing periods of the Khaliphat are almost innumerable ; nor are the 

 other parts of their history deficient in writers who elucidate them. 

 I believe I mentioned to Your Lordship the idea I had formed of 

 collecting materials for an account of that Crusade in which Saladin 

 and our Richard the First were engaged. I trust I shall not be dis- 

 appointed in meeting with a great deal of very curious information 

 relative both to the history of that epoch, and also what will throw a 

 considerable light upon the general state of manners in Europe during 

 the middle ages, particularly with regard to chivalry and the feudal 

 system, both of which I have no doubt originated in these countries. 



The Turkish literature is at a very low ebb ; were I to send Your 

 Lordship a specimen of it you would only be too much disgusted by 

 it. It is possible, however, I may be able to pick up something better 

 than what I have yet seen, before my return ; but I own I have little 

 hopes upon the subject. 



I fear I have tired Your Lordship with this farrago ; but I trust 

 your goodness will excuse it. 



I have the honor to be, &c. 



I. D. Carlyle. 



