claji&e’s travels. 
& 
in addition to the curiosity always excited by mystery, 
the reflection is suggested, that ancient Byzantium occupied 
the site of the sultan’s palace, a thirst of inquiry is proper* 
lion ably' augmented. I promise to conduct my readers not 
only within the retirement of the seraglio, but into the charem 
itself, and the most secluded haunts of the Turkish sovereign. 
Would only I could also promise a degree of satisfaction, in this 
respect, adequate to their desire of information ! 
It so happened, that the gardener of the grand signior, du¬ 
ring our residence in Constantinople, was a German. This 
person used to mix with the society in Pera, and often joined 
in the evening parties given by the different foreign ministers. 
In this manner we became acquainted with him ,* and were in¬ 
vited to his apartments within the walls of the seraglio, close 
to the gates of the sultan's garden. We were accompanied, 
during our first visit, by his intimate friend, the secretary and 
chaplain of tiie Swedish mission ; who, but a short time before, 
had succeeded in obtaining a sight of the four principal sul¬ 
tanas and the sultan mother, in consequence of Ins frequent 
visits to the gardener. They were sitting together one morn¬ 
ing, when the cries of the black eunuchs, opening the door of 
the charem, which communicated with the seraglio gardens, 
announced that these ladies were going to take the air. In 
order to do this, it was necessary to pass the gates adjoining 
the gardner’s lodge; where an arabat* was stationed to re¬ 
ceive them, in which it was usual for them to drive round the 
walks of the seraglio, within the walls of the palace. Upon 
those occasions, the black eunuchs examine cyery part of the 
garden, and run before the women, calling out to all persons to 
avoid approaching or beholding them, under pain of death. 
The gardener, and his friend the Swede, instantly closed all 
the shutters, and locked the doors. The black eunuchs, ar* 
riving soon after, and finding the lodge shut, supposed the 
gardener to be absent. Presently followed the sultan mother, 
with the four principal sultanas, who were in high glee, romp¬ 
ing and laughing with each other. A small scullery window, 
of the gardener’s lodge, looked directly toward the gate, 
through which these ladies were to pass; and was separated 
from it only by a few yards. Here, through two small gimlet 
holes, bored for that purpose, they beheld very distinctly the 
* A covered wagon upon four wheels, with latticed windows at the sides, formed 
to conceal those who are within. It is almost the only species of carriage In us© 
among the -Turks. - ■ . Jp; , \ • , - 7 
