the Koran is always kept in every mosque, has been constructed by the Turks, of white marble, in the south-east end of the church, and is adorned with Mosaic and gilding, with many Arabic sentences round it. On each side is a large silver candlestick with wax tapers. THE roof is incrusted with Mosaic work, composed of a vitrified substance; pieces of which, collected principally from a small adjoining chapel, where it is more decayed than in the body of the mosque, may be purchased of those who show the edifice. Much gilding has been used, which from age is in many places destroyed. THE frame of this immense fabric is of brick, faced with marble. The solid masses of stone, which form the chief supporting columns, are strengthened by encircling hoops of iron, and by having had boiling lead poured into the interstices. Amongst the pillars employed may be remarked six invaluable columns of green jasper, brought from Ephesus, where they ornamented the temple of Diana; and eight of porphyry, which were distinguished in that of the Sun at Rome. Much of the beauty of the interior decorations, however, has been defaced by the frequent whitewashings which the tasteless Turk has applied; and, in many places, sentences from the Koran, and the names of the Deity and the prophet, in gilt or co lored Arabic characters, have been substituted for the original ornaments, In the centre hang down, as is customary in almost all the mosques throughout the empire, circular wooden frames; from which are suspended innumerable lamps, ostriches eggs, and glass globes of all dimensions. THE pavement, of marble, wrought into compartments, is for convenience and cleanliness covered with mats and rich carpets. GREAT numbers of Imaums attend the service of Sancta Sophia, and are paid from the revenues, which are calculated at nearly L. 60,000 per annum. THERE remain no doubts respecting the Emperor Constantine's having caused the foundation of a building, dedicated to religious purposes, to be laid on the spot where the gilded domes and Minarehs of Sancta Sophia now glitter, and which is the most elevated near the Seraglio; but he dying before the structure could be raised, his son Constantius continued the plan, and completed an edifice, in which so much wood was em ployed, that by an accidental fire the whole was destroyed previous to, or during the reign of Justinian. This emperor, |
