CLARKE’S TRAVELS, 
CHAP. I. 
CONSTANTINOPLE. 
Similarity of the ancient and modern City—Imperial Armoury 
—Vase of the Byzantine Emperors—Description of thefour 
principal Sultanas—Interior of the Seraglio—Sultan's Kiosk 
— Charem, or Apartments of the Women—Chamber of Au¬ 
dience—Assembly room — Baths—Chamber of Repose—Sa¬ 
loon of the Charem— Garden of Hyacinths-—Upper Walks 
of the Seraglio . 
There are many interesting sources of reflection, in the 
present appearance of Constantinople, unnoticed by any author. 
To these my attention was early directed, and will be princi¬ 
pally confined. The reader would not be much gratified by 
an elaborate detail, or even an abridgment of the volumes 
which have been written upon this remarkable city, sufficient 
alone to constitute a library. Historically considered, the 
period in which the eastern metropolis of the Roman empire 
ceased to exist as a seat of letters and refinement, seems, 
from the fulness and freshness of intelligence, to be almost 
within our recollection. The discovery of printing, taking place 
at the same precise period, brought with it such a tide of in» 
formation, that, in the very instant when literature appeared 
upon the eve of expiring, science and philosophy beamed a 
brighter and more steady light. Thus, in the fourth century* 
which has elapsed since its capture by the Turks, we are car¬ 
ried back to the circumstances of their conquest, as though we 
had been actually witnesses of the victory. The eloquence 
and testimony of Isidore forcibly direct our attention to the 
scene of action: description is transmitted in all its original 
energy ; and, in the perusal of the narrative, we feel as spec¬ 
tators of the catastrophe.* 
* The description given by Cardinal Isidore, who was an eye witness of the horrL 
Ible scene which ensued at the capture of Constantinople by the Turkish army, af» 
B 
