Rose from my narrow berth swarming with fleas at an early hour - to get a sight of the approaching Stamboul - by the dawning light could just distinguish the shore of Europe - along which we were sailing - found by enquiry we were yet three hours from the city -

Many of the turks on deck were yet paying their devotions to the sleepy God - there is one turbaned gentleman who has a wife of some pretentions - but constantly muffled up as she is, can hardly tell what she is - and if he observed any one looking at her he evidently cautions her - as the veil is drawn closer or the umbrella hoisted - her age is from 20 to 25 a fine eye and a delicate hand - with the tips of the fingers tinged with yellow which I cannot think is becoming - during the voyage they have been all the time seated, never did I see her rise untill we came in sight of the city - she has a black woman servant with - who hides her sable charms after the fashion of the mistress - -

Opposite Stefano point the domes of the mosques were observable and the Sea of Marmora covered with sails large and small as far as the eye could see - soon up to the seven towns which is the commencement of the wall on the side of the sea - considering the age of the wall built by Constantine - it is yet in fine preservation - in one place alone did it appear to have crumbled - many places it rises out of the water - in other small buildings have been erected between it and the waters edge - nothing can be more beautifull than the peninsula on which the city stands rising gradually from the water - the houses are generally small and mean, for a great capital -

On the more elevated sites the minarets and crescent crowned cupolas appear to fine advantage only one ancient column of the emperors reared its venerable head blacked by time among the white and spiny crested minarets of the mahomidan conquerors - the Seraglio at the extremity of the promontory occupied a large space with its gardens (kiosks) or summer houses and shady cypresses - it is the winter residence of the sultan - and with its harems or tomans appartments - Kithums- calvairy barracks , armouries - treasuries - and many others - forms a city of itself - at this season unoccupied - could only distinguish the mosque of Sophia from several others equally large by he flatness of the dome - which does not add to its beauty for externally the structure was a heavy appearance -

In rounding the point of the Seraglio our boat was near running down a large cayoque filled with musicians and turks, no doubt they were much alarmed - as accidents of this sort frequently occur in a harbour swarming with boats - once in the Golden horn - was struck with the extent of the city or rather three cities - Constantinople & Pera on the two sides of the golden horn and Scutari on the opposite shore of the Bosphorus -

Landed at Pera near the new mosque of the Sultan Ifamoud - and winding along the narrow streets of Para - found Mr Ruboli's private boarding house - elevated, and pleasantly situated opposite the garden of the french ambassadors palace -

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