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5g CONSTANTINOPLE AND ITS ENVIRONS ;
or writing. Music, such as it is, is most frequently attempted, because it is an enjoy-
joyment of the sense, and acquired without mental labour.
Our illustration represents the master of the harem indulging in his favourite recreation. His nargillai, scented with fragrant pastils, fills the small apartment with its drowsy
vapours. Reclining on his cushioned carpet, he contemplates the languid, sensual
features of his Circassians placed on the divan beside him, who try to amuse him with
the only accomplishment they are capable of attaining, or he of feeling or comprehending.
Next the door stands the black eunuch, guarding with jealous and malignant eye the
entrance into this sacred seclusion.
CONSTANTINOPLE, FROM CASSIM PASHA.
From the summit of the hill of Pera, called from its elevation Tepe Bashi, or
"the head of the hill," the ground slopes to the Golden Horn, displaying an exceedingly diversified and picturesque surface, comprehending not only the beautiful cemetery,
and the city of Constantinople, but also the suburbs of Cassim Pasha and Piri Pasha, both
connected with many important and interesting events. The view is so attractive, that
the Tepe Bashi forms the great promenade of Pera. It is every evening crowded with
the elite of the Frank society of the capital, mixed with distinguished natives. Ambassadors, attachees, dragomans, hakims, merchants of all nations, in their respective costumes,
here assemble, and form a moving picture of a very gay and varied aspect.
From hence one of these cemeteries, which give to Turkish cities so striking a character,
extends its cypress shades over a surface undulating into sloping lawns, deep glens, and
swelling hills, comprehending a circumference of many miles. Through this run broad
walks, forming crowded thoroughfares, which lead to the suburbs and the several iskelli,
or slips of embarkation to the city rising on the hills at the opposite side of the water, but
which are all now nearly deserted for the Buyuk Tchekmadge, or "Great Bridge,"
which Mahmoud II. caused to be thrown across the harbour.
Not many years ago, this district was very unsafe, and the Frank, whom business or
curiosity led through it, was liable to the abuse or insult of any Turk he met in the day,
or the attacks of robbers or assassins in the night. The last outrage committed here
was on a man eminently distinguished for many years among the Frank, as well as
Turkish population, and whose fate excited a commotion and consternation which have
hardly yet subsided. This man was the Hakim Lorenzo.
Among the Franks who flock to Constantinople in search of fortune, there is a large
proportion of Italians. Many of them have received an education at Padua, or other
Italian universities, taken out degrees in medicine, and so come qualified for the practice
of it. Many adopt the profession after their arrival, as the most lucrative and easiest means
of living. It requires but slight knowledge to be superior to the native hakims, and the
acuteness and sagacity of these versatile Italians supply every deficiency. Among these
was Lorenzo, a native of Florence. He had acquired some reputation by the practice of |
