Constantinople : and the scenery of the seven churches of Asia Minor . uated on the shores of the Bosphorus, near the Anadoli Hissar, or Asiaticcastle, in a verdant meadow, through which the river meanders. Here the Sultan has akiosk to which he retires in summer, to practise archery or shooting with a rifle, andamuse himself with various sports, some very coarse, where buffoonery of a very indeli-cate kind forms the principal part of the entertainment. This kiosk is represented inthe back-ground of the illustration. This retreat of the sultan attracts great crowds ofhis subjects, particularly
Constantinople : and the scenery of the seven churches of Asia Minor . uated on the shores of the Bosphorus, near the Anadoli Hissar, or Asiaticcastle, in a verdant meadow, through which the river meanders. Here the Sultan has akiosk to which he retires in summer, to practise archery or shooting with a rifle, andamuse himself with various sports, some very coarse, where buffoonery of a very indeli-cate kind forms the principal part of the entertainment. This kiosk is represented inthe back-ground of the illustration. This retreat of the sultan attracts great crowds ofhis subjects, particularly on the evening of Friday, the Turkish sabbath. Those whoresort from the European shore come in caiques; those from the Asiatic in carriage, peculiar to Turkey, forms a conspicuous object in the plate. The generalshape is a flooring of planks laid upon high wheels, without springs: on this areerected pillars supporting a canopy of wood, from which descend fringed curtains ofsilk or rich stuff. The body and canopy are sometimes highly carved and gilded:. WITH, THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR. 33 within, sit on the floor as many women as it can contain, their heads just appearingabove the edge whenever the motion on the uneven road throws the curtains aside. Itis drawn by two or more buffaloes, or oxen, whose tails are fastened to a long and loftybow extending from the neck-yokes, and projecting over their backs. This arch isprofusely decorated with gaudy tassels. The white locks of the animals between thehorns are stained with henna, and round the necks are suspended amulets of bright bluebeads, to guard them against the effects of an evil eye. It is the most improved carriageof the Turkish empire, and travels at the rate of two miles an hour. In these machines,covered up from human gaze, the sultan and great men of the empire transport theirharems: they are conducted by black eunuchs, with drawn sabres, who menace anyone who approaches the line of march, with ins
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Keywords: ., bookauthorallomtho, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1830, bookyear1839
