| Transcript |
24 CONSTANTINOPLE AND ITS ENVIRONS ;
and even in death will not approximate to other people. Their grave-yard lies at
Hasskui, at a considerable distance. Overhanging the Bosphorus, on the isthmus, is
one great cemetery of the Turks, embosomed in cypress, which the rays of the sun
never penetrate, and resembling in every particular that at Scutari. On the other side
is a second, overhanging the harbour, and, though called by the French Petit Champ
des Morts, and by the English, after them, the " Little Burying-ground," is of immense
extent, covering an area nearly as great as either of the former. It is not, however, distinguished by the same solemn characteristics. Lying between the various suburbs of
Pera, it is intersected by avenues, which are constantly thronged by passengers like public
streets; and this moving picture of life abstracts much from the solemnity of death,
which the secluded solitude of others so strongly impresses. Here it is, therefore,
that Franks often witness the ceremonies of Turkish funerals, without that intrusion so
offensive to Turks in the less public cemeteries.
Near the centre of the burial-ground is a small edifice, to which the bodies are
brought. Here ablution is performed, and all the decencies of respect shown to the
mortal remains, before they are consigned to decay. From hence they are removed to
the pit prepared for them: they first burn incense round the spot, to keep off evil spirits;
they leave a small lock of hair on the scalp, and then sew up the body in a sack of cloth
just its length, and open at both ends. A Turk believes that his corpse will be subject
to a strict examination by two angels, to ascertain his fitness for paradise, and the
grave is constructed with accommodation for the purpose. It is arched overhead, that
the body may have room to sit up; when the angels arrive, they seize him by the lock
of hair, and draw him through the open end of the sack. He then sits between the
examiners, and answers such questions as may be propounded. The arch is frequently
constructed with fragments of marble pillars, but more usually with the planks of the
coffin, which is taken to pieces for the purpose. The attendants on the funeral quietly
sit round, often smoking their chibouques, and an Imaum sometimes reads a passage
from the Koran. The Turks are particularly anxious that the tombs be not desecrated,
or the posture of the bodies unsettled. They imagine some part is to remain unde-
cayed, as the nucleus of their future resurrection. The particular member, called
by them al-aih, is not yet ascertained by their theologians, and they are careful that
no part be disturbed. The general impression, however, is, that it is that portion of the
pelvis connected with the lower extremity of the spine; so they are more careful of it
after death, than of any other bone in the body.
This cemetery is marked, like others, by an appearance of great dilapidation. The
marble head-stones are broken; and a negligence is displayed about their preservation,
which one is surprised to see in the burying-place of an Osmanli. But this is the
effect of design. When the janissaries were extirpated, the vengeance of the Sultan
pursued them even to their tombs. Many of them were reported to be vampires, their
graves were opened, and their bodies pinned to the earth by stakes, to prevent their
rising to suck the blood of the faithful; while all the emblems that appeared above
ground, to designate\ them, were destroyed. The stones that marked their graves were |
