CONSTANTINOPLE. 
739 
these objects, what must it have been in the time of its emperors, 
when palaces, triumphal arches, columns, obelisks, theatres, 
temples, and churches, formed its unrivalled splendour! We 
know, that in order to complete the seat of the eastern empire, 
the conquered cities of Greece were robbed of their most beau¬ 
tiful specimens of art; so that the works of Phidias, Praxiteles, 
and all the celebrated sculptors of that classic country, as well 
as every other object that might render the capital more re¬ 
nowned, were transplanted to within its walls. Constantine, 
when fixing on the site of his new city, that it might rival Rome 
in all things, covered seven hills far beyond the bounds of 
ancient Byzantium, with the line of its intended limits. 
While the plague continued its ravages, entering the city 
itself being out of the question, Mr. Elliot, a gentleman at¬ 
tached to the British embassy, was so obliging as to accompany 
me in a little excursion round its walls. Having descended the 
hill on which the suburb of Pera stands, and arrived at the 
mouth of the northern branch of the Bosphorus, that divides 
this tract from Constantinople, we got into one of the gaily 
gilded skiffs, (whose pointed forms are but the ancient galleys 
of Greece in miniature,) and desired to be rowed along the 
eastern face of the town. The day was beautiful, and every 
object partook its splendour. The Seraiel or Seraglio, occupies 
the whole site of what was once Byzantium, and is built at the 
north-east point of the city. It is protected on all sides by strong 
walls and towers, while two of its sides are additionally defended 
by the waters of the Strait; which here encircle, indeed, one 
of the most luxuriant and glittering gardens of pleasure imagin¬ 
ation could paint; golden palaces and variegated kiosks rising, 
as if in fairv-land, amidst rows of dark cypresses and bending 
5 b 2 
