VALE OF CYDARIS. 
761 
and the gulf of Nicomedia, with the distant mountains of Asia. 
Having proceeded a few miles, we descended into a sheltered 
valley, celebrated for the number and vernal beauty of its springs; 
to visit Les Eaux Douces , being deemed a delightful excursion, 
by all the Franks of Constantinople. This is also a favourite 
retreat of the Grand Seignior; he having a summer-palace here, 
enbosomed in trees, with the delicious accompaniment of gardens, 
fountains, various streams, and little pleasure-houses, all in¬ 
closed within an extensive iron railing. We crossed the rivulet, 
now called the Ket-Khanah-Sou, but anciently the Barbyzes. It 
is augmented, a little lower down, by the Ali-Bey-Kiey- Sou, 
anciently the Cydaris, which flows through a fine vale from the 
north-east; and when united, they flow together into the old 
Golden Horn. From the abundant waters of these valleys, they 
possess an unceasing verdure, of every varied hue, from that of the 
rich mossy greens, to those of an emerald brightness full of light 
and freshness. All the country beyond them, owing to the rarity 
of rain during the late summer, is comparatively burnt up and 
colourless; hence these humid scenes appeared in redoubled 
charms. Pursuing our way up the vale of Cydaris, we passed 
its chief village, at a distance, I should think, of six miles from 
Pera, and where we came in sight of a magnificent aqueduct, 
embracing the vale from side to side. It was the work of 
Justinian. In looking at such an object, we cannot but acknow¬ 
ledge the act of a man deserving to be an emperor, of one worthy 
to command men, since he so well knew how to dedicate his power 
to their service. The appearance of this vast structure differs 
in some measure from the usual simplicity in which we find these 
ancient water-courses; and this singularity arises from the irre¬ 
gular spans of its arches. A double tier, of four in width, 
5 E 
VOL. II. 
