CONSTANTINOPLE, 
i afterward, that the regalia, the imperial armoury, and many 
other works of magnificence and utility, were likewise pre¬ 
served. In the sacking of a city, when all things are left to the 
promiscuous pillage of an infuriate soldiery, a scene of ruin 
and desolation must necessarily ensue; and, under similar cir¬ 
cumstances of previous provocation and subsequent opportu¬ 
nity, it is not to be believed that the Greeks would have 
been more scrupulous than their conquerors. The first em¬ 
ployment of Mahomet, when those disorders had subsided, 
was not merely the preservation, but the actual improvement 
of the city: of this a striking example is related by Gybing 
who, speaking of the Forum of Taurus, says, that being grown 
over with wood, and affording a shelter for thieves, Mahomet 
granted the spot to those who were willing to build upon it 
The same author also mentions, that, among other instances of 
his munificence, the largest baths in the city were erected by 
him; one for the use of men, and the other for women : nei¬ 
ther is it necessary to seek further for information, than the 
documents which he has afforded, and the authority cited by 
him to prove that Christians, and not Turks, have been the 
principal agents in destroying the statues and public build¬ 
ings with which Constantinople, in different ages, was adorned. 
The havoc w as begun by the Romans themselves, even so 
early as the time of Constantine the Great; and renewed at 
intervals, in consequence of the frequent factions aud dissen- 
tions of the inhabitants. The city, such as it was, when it 
came into the possession of the Turks, has been by them pre» 
served, and undergone fewer alterations than took place w hile 
it continued in the hands of their predecessors. It does not, 
however, appear, that the changes produced, either by the one 
or the other, have in any degree affected that striking re¬ 
semblance which it still bears to the ancient cities of the 
Greeks. 
Under these impressions, I eagerly sought an opportunity 
to examine the interior of the seraglio; and, difficult as the 
undertaking may seem, soon found the means of its Accom¬ 
plishment, The harmony existing between England and.the 
Porte at that critical juncture when Egypt was to be re||bred 
to the Turks by the valour of our troops, greatly facilitated 
the enterprize. I felt convinced, that, within the walls of the 
seraglio, many interesting antiquities were concealed from ''ob¬ 
servation 5 and I was not disappointed, 
b 2 
