June 25, 1841: Giants Mountain |
(Henry Shaw's personal map pictured right)On the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus is a lofty promontory or spur of the Bithynian Olympus - called Giants mountain - crossed the water and ascended to the top - where is a shady grove and a mosque of dervishes - who were very civil offering us coffee and pipes - the place commands a view of the winding Bosphorus and the wide expanding Euxine - on which were ships some sailing in and others out of the Straits -
You see likewise some distance into Europe and the spur of the chain of Mount Hamus - which indeed is a continuation of the Asiatic Olympus - divided by the Bosphorus - these capes and shores are replete with historical recollections commencing with the remote voyage of Jason and the Argaunauts - some ruins of Genoese castles are close by and opposite at Buyukdere are the large plane trees - under which Godfry de Bouillon and the Crusaders encamped - the dervishes shewed us the giants tomb - about 20 feet long and which they call the grave of Joshua and hold in high respect -
Walking to another part of the grave heard female voices singing & caught a glimpse of some turkish females swinging and amusing themselves on the grass in the shade - were soon requested by the dervishes not to go in that direction - the ladies were gaily dressed - and mostly young misses - families who had come to this retired spot to take the fresh air and relaxtion from the confinement of the harem - they were accompanied by a black eunuch - on going away we happened to pass again in sight of them when the fellow came running and bawling after us - lest we should lift our profane eyes, on the pale faced angels under his custody -
They say the turks under the present Sultan are resuming their old strict usages in regard to women - some few years ago I am told great relaxation took place and many liberties allowed, which the ladies did not neglect to profit by - indeed this covering the face is only custom - which they consider themselves obligated to follow in the afternoon returned to the city -
The sun too hot to sail in an open Cayique -
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