742 
BEYUKDERRY. 
to acknowledge the power of the Crescent. Many of the towers, 
and much of the walls of this ancient citadel of a foreign colony, 
are still standing ; and even now, the lofty keep of Galata is one 
of the commanding objects of the city. It is upwards of 100 
feet in height, presenting from its summit one of the finest 
views in the world. After passing near it, we mounted the 
hill, and entered an extensive burying-ground, terminating only 
at the walls of the British palace of embassy. These depositaries 
for the dead are the favourite promenades for the living; and 
parties are daily made for the pleasure of walking in them, with 
as much indifference as if the airing were in Hyde Park or the 
Tuilleries. In fact, there are no other walks in or about Con¬ 
stantinople ; and in the hot months, the thick and impervious 
groves of the cypress-trees must render them inviting, provided 
the universal effect of the sun’s heat at that season does not so 
influence the remains buried below, as to contaminate the air; 
a circumstance I should think very likely to take place then; for 
even at this time, I can perceive a sour damp smell pervading 
their avenues. 
November 30th. — It was now the last day of November, and 
the weather yet balmy as autumn. Indeed, it was to the pro¬ 
longed warmth and softness of the atmosphere that such unusual 
continuance and severity of the plague were attributed, so mild 
a season not having been remembered for many years. While it 
lasted, however, His Excellency wished to shew me Beyukderr^f, 
a village on the European side of the Bosphorus, not many miles 
from the Black Sea, and the summer-residence of most of the 
foreign ministers. Accordingly, at an early hour this morning 
we got into the ambassador’s barge, and commenced one of the 
most delightful aquatic excursions I could possibly have made; 
