166 
A CRUSADE IK THE EAST. 
for many kind attentions ; and the remembrance of the de¬ 
lightful hours spent in their society and that of their accom¬ 
plished families, forms the most agreeable episode in my pil¬ 
grimage through the East. 
Before my departure from Constantinople I was enabled, 
by joining a large party of tourists, who obtained a firman 
from the Sultan, to visit the Seraglio and all the mosques of 
Stamboul, including the far-famed Mosque of Santa Sophia. 
Lamartine calls this “ a grand Caravanseri of God !” I looked 
in vain for something about it in the shape of camels or mules ; 
but saw nothing of the kind to justify such a figure of speech. 
Probably when the great poet was there, he saw imaginary 
camels and mules; certainly there must have been an ani-^ 
mal with very long ears about the premises. 
Doctor Mendoza and the Madam having ascertained from 
the Portuguese Minister, that there was a good hotel in 
Jerusalem, and that it was quite practicable to make the 
tour of the Holy Land without starvation, made up their 
minds to encounter the risk. They departed in the first 
French steamer, intending to stop a few days in Smyrna. 
The doctor said it was not “ imposs” that we should meet 
again in Beirut. 
I was so fortunate during my stay at the Byzant, as to 
form the acquaintance of a most intelligent and agreeable 
young gentleman from North Carolina, who was traveling 
for pleasure and information. He readily joined me in my 
contemplated tour through Syria. On the 15th of Novem¬ 
ber, having, through the kindness of Mr. Brown, Secretary 
of Legation, obtained a firman, signed by Abd-ul-Mejid, re¬ 
commending us to all Pashas, Beis, and Sheiks throughout 
his dominions, as “prince-born gentlemen,” we looked our 
last look at the glorious City of the Sultan, and departed for 
Beirut. 
