gilance, will agree with me, I believe, in doubting the authenticity of such information.

THE palace and gardens occupy the point of land already mentioned, which, from its apex in the Bosporus gradually becoming wider for nearly a mile and a half, gives a triangular shape to the ensemble of the precincts of the Seraglio; one side of which is exposed to the waters of the harbour, one side to the sea of Marmora, and the base, stretching between them both, has its external aspect towards the buildings of the city. Independently of these securities, a strong wall, armed with watch towers at short distances from each other, surrounds the whole space occupied by this pile of building.-From the interior of the palace-gardens are many gates, which lead both to the port and to the sea of Marmora; but these are scarcely ever opened without the Sultaun's order, or for some high officer of the household. The grand gate on the side leading to the city, by which individuals in general enter into the outer court, is of white marble, upon which are a few nearly defaced Arabic sentences; it is called Babah Hoomajun, or Sublime: Porte.On the left of this court is the south front of Sancta Sophia. ---In the centre is a beautiful ornamented fountain, built by Ahmed III. with verses in gilded letters placed on each side, which are shewn as proofs of the Sultaun's poetical genius. Withr in this squareare the armory and mint; both extremely wor

thy the attention of strangers.---In the former are shewn many curious and singularly ornamented military weapons.---Some amongst them are said to have been wrested from the heroic arms of the Crusaders by the more fortunate efforts of the Mahommedans.---The operations of the latter, which is called Taraphana, are of a rude simplicity, equal to the miserable appearance of the debased coin of Turkey, and were conducted under the immediate direction of a Greek named Petraki, who had amassed great riches, and has since fallen a victim to political intrigue or Mahommedan rapacity;—he perished by the scimitar.

Ar one of my visits, I found, lying close to the gate, three heads with labels near them.--They had been sent from a distant province to the Sublime Abdul Hamed, to convince him that justice was there carefully administered.

THE Court into which free admisson is allowed, is nearly square, and contains, independently of the mint and armory, various buildings appropriated to the use of the guards, who are Bostangees, and those slaves termed ajam olans, of whom there are very considerable numbers of different countries, educated for future employments in and about the Seraglio.---There are also apartments for the sick of the establishment, who are attended by the medical professors attached to the household.

THE second court, which is of larger extent than the first square,

may be also visited by strangers; but it is contrary to etiquette for any person to enter it on horseback.---Here are some fountains surrounded by Cypress trees; many beautiful Kiosks, baths, and other buildings, together with the Imperial stables; and in front of several apartments belonging to the principal officers, is a gallery of not inelegant appearance.

THE Council chamber or Divan, where the Vizeer and Effendee (learned men) hold their courts of justice, is a low building, with a gallery on one side, which leads to the Grand Signior's residence, where it is pretended that he not unfrequently places himself privately to overhear the decisions of his law officers; a mode well adapted to be a check upon the mal-administration of justice, in a country where bribery and private influence are acknowledged to haves uperseded the virtue of impartiality; but which is now resorted to for scarcely any other purpose than that of gratifying an unprincely curiosity.---On the right hand side of the square are the kitchens, confectionary rooms, and other offices of that department: near these are many large brass cocks, which, by means of pipes communicating with the aqueduct of the palace, supply prodigious quantities of water for the use of those who reside in this division.

A THIRD gate leads to that part of the Seraglio where am

bassadors find their privileges of no further avail towards satisfying their curiosity.---It is from hence they must be contented to return, like other less dignified personages, without having obtained admittance to one private chamber, or one moment's private conference.---The haughty Sultaun scarcely receives them with the common usages of civility; and it is not very long since the representatives of majesty were compelled to leave their swords behind them, and to return from the presence, backwards, in the most humiliating posture, rather than offend the imperious monarch of the crescent *.---That my late and much respected friend Hugh Boyd should have submitted to this degradation before the savage monarch of Candia, residing in the almost impenetrable recesses of woody mountains, when he was deputed from the Government of Madras, was excusable; but that the sovereigns of Europe, with fleets and armies at their orders, and whilst the point of the Seraglio is easily assailable by both,

* Ir must be observed, that the Porte has lately relaxed considerably from the haughty conduct it formerly maintained; and from prudential motives, rather than from any spirit of toleration, has not only blended unusual civility with the forms of office, but also established a residence of its ministers at several of the courts of Europe. The same disposition has induced the present Sultaun to present the order of the Crescent to several British officers of distinguished merit; but these political civilities will effect no change in the opinions universally entertained throughout the Ottomaun dominions of the Christians' inferiority.

should have submitted to the indignity, is scarcely credible.--Tothe honor of Monsieur de Feriol, a French ambassador, he resisted these despotic customs, and peremptorily refused waiting upon the Sultaun, although he was then in the palace, and had been invested with the Kaftan, or dress of ceremony úsed on such occasions, unless he were admitted with his sword, which he alleged was part of the dress of his Sovereign Master.---He even struck one of the officers of the Porte, who endeavored to wrest his sword from him, and absolutely quitted the Seraglio without having delivered his credentials; notwithstanding which, he remained twelve years afterwards in quality of ambassador, and terminated several successful negociations.

THUS far, then, that is to the third gate, I had access by following the suite of Monsieur le Comte de Choiseul Gouffier when he presented his credentials. The party consisted of the gentlemen attached to the mission, with guards and interpreters; a number of French officers, then in some respects connected with the service of the Turks; all the respectable French inhabitants, and many foreigners, who were accidentally in Constantinople at the time. Every thing was conducted with great form and ceremony: The horses were richly caparisoned; and the whole appearance was consistent with the dignity of the ambassador. As soon as the cavalcade arrived at the second gate of the Seraglio, every one alighted, and a considerable number of inferior

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