2 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
^^T^^' principally confined. The Reader would not 
' ^ — ' be much ^ratified by an elaborate or even an 
Similarity ^ '' • i i 
of the an- abridged detail from the volumes which have 
tient and . i i i • re 
modem becu writtcu upon this remarkable city, sum- 
' ^" cient alone to constitute a library. Historically 
considered, the epocha when the Eastern me- 
tropolis of the Roman Empire ceased to exist 
as a seat of letters and refinement seems, from 
the fulness and freshness of intellioence, to be 
almost within our recollection. The discovery 
of printing, taking place at the same precise 
period, brought with it such a tide of infor- 
mation, that, in the very instant when Literature 
seemed to be upon the eve of expiring. Science 
and Philosophy beamed a brighter and a more 
steady light. Thus, in the fourth century that 
has elapsed since Constantinople was captured 
by the Turks, we are carried back to the 
circumstances of their conquest, as if we had 
been actual witnesses of the victory. Descrip- 
tions have been transmitted to us in all their 
original energy; and, in the perusal of the 
different narratives, we feel as spectators of 
the scene of action . 
(1) The account given by Cardinal Isidore, who weis an eye-witness 
of the horrible scene which ensued at the capture of Constantinojyle by 
the Turkish army, affords a striking example. The art of printing has 
been scarcely adequate to its preservation ; and, without it, every syllable 
had perished. It is only rescued by a very rare work of Bernard de 
Brer/dcnhach, 
