^ SOPHIA AT CONSTANTINOPLE. 5^3 
' Nted ‘!’® spacious area in which it stands, are certain 
I ’’Cfflaius ; these plainly denote the masonry of the 
\n a“'J evidence may be adduced to prove, that they 
^ 3 ®“ to the foundations of Solomon's temple. He ob- 
N'W a stucco, which is commonly 
as an evidence of Roman work. Phocas be- 
^ie«t'^° surrounding this building to be the 
Sn of the temple; and Golius, in his notej 
Sda,-^ Asti-onomy of Alferganes, says, the who’» 
i. • O -p' tvy l-ZS-' 
Mil of the temple; and Golius, in his notej 
t‘ie Asti'onomy of Alferganes, says, 
\ny '?'* of the original edifice remained. As to the 
Npar building at Jerusalem tliat can be 
Ncei • *’■’ o‘ther in beauty or riches. The lofty 
Slip’'® pomp so nobly displayed in the style of the 
! V°’ numerous arcades; its capacious dome, with 
[\(1 stately decorations of the place ; its extensive area, 
variegated witli the choicest marbles ; the extreme 
r in every avenue towards it ; and, lastly, 
3tetJ?*''^ous costume observable in the dresses of all tlie 
passing to and from the sanctuaiy, make it 
one of the finest sights the Mahometans have to 
I'll^ OF ST. SOPHIA AT CONSTANTINOPl^E. 
celebrated structure is one hundred and 
Ji'ilL*®®’- io diameter, and is built on arches, sustained by 
of marble. The pavement and staircase are also 
^ Of f ^^0*0 ^*'0 '^"'o rows of galleries, supported by 
^\i(, * party-colour marble, and the entire roof is of fine 
Aero,! ^u this mosque is the superb tomb of the 
''ctaij^ f'Onstautine, for wdiich the Turks liave the liighest 
tbe above, two other mosques attract the particular 
’•^‘c dDove, iwo otner mosques attract tlie 
If Vai[,}‘'®''ellers who visit the Turkish capital. ' Tliat ot 
lij’is i],g®'Sultan, founded by the moUier of Mahomed 
h^0r,5 ® largest, and is built entirely of marble. Its pro- 
V '’^oso^ stupendous ; and it boasts die finest sym.metry.— 
■if Sultan Solyman is an exact square, with four 
''V "tteq t the angles ; in the centre is a noble cu])ola, 
t>y beautiful marble pillars. Two smaller ones at 
<(MttHg,^t’'^'t‘es are supported in the same manner. The 
gallery surrounding the mosque are of marble 
tliG OTPJlf f*nr»r>lo ic a •artrwnPfl virifK en/> 
the great cupola is a fountain, adorned with, such 
