the many-folded fustanelle; Circassians, nearly always in military dress; Georgians, still Russian in their costume, though many miles from the frontier; Armenians, saturnine and swarthy, whose sun-browned skins were perceptible between the folds of their embroidered vests; but the Turks—the Osmanlis—the sons of ancient Byzantium and old Stamboul—where were they?
Where were they? It would have been no use to question two Western strangers who, with inquisitive eyes, noses in the air, and with somewhat undecided steps, were walking almost apart upon the terrace. They could not have answered you.
But there is something more yet. In the town properly so called, beyond the port, a visitor would have remarked the same characteristic air of silence and desertion. On the other side of the Golden Horn—a deep indentation between the old Serail and the landing-place of Top-Hané on the right bank, which is united with the left by three bridges of boats—the whole of Constantinople appeared to be asleep. Was no one awake in the Palace of Serai Bournot? Were there none of the Faithful, no hadjis or pilgrims in the mosques of Ahmed, of Bayezidièh, Saint Sophia, or Suleimanieh?
Was this the hour of repose, of siesta for the careless guardian of the tower of the Seraskiecat, following the example of his colleague on the tower of Galata, on both of whom devolved the duty of giving warning of the frequent fires which break out in Constantinople? The stillness even appeared to extend to the pert, notwithstanding the presence of the Austrian, French and other steamers—the boats, steam launches, and caiques which passed and repassed upon the waters that laved the bases of the houses.
Was this, then, the much-vaunted Constantinople, the vision of the East realized by the will of Constantine and Mahomet II.? That is just what the two strangers above referred to were asking each other as they walked to and fro; and if they did not answer the question in Turkish, it was not for want of acquaintance with that language.
They were both well acquainted with the native tongue:
