resolving to exceed the splendor of all other churches, and ensure the durability of his magnificence, engaged an architect of the name of Anthemius of Tralles to rebuild the whole of stone, according to the plan which now exists. It is to be remarked, however, that Anthemius, dying before the work was finished, was succeeded by Isidorus of Miletus, reputed the most able architect of those days. This accounts for the considerable difference observable between the lower and more elevated parts of the building; the carrying on of which, as is reported, was frequently interrupted by the falling in of the side-walls, and by the more destructive concussions of successive earthquakes. The perseverance of Justinian overcame every impediment and difficulty in eight years and five months, and at the expence of thirtytwo thousand pounds of gold or silver, (for antiquaries are undecided); and to this day Sancta Sophia claims and receives a very high degree of admiration.

IT would be tedious and intrusive to enter into a minute description of even the principal mosques which adorn Constantinople; they are numerous, and similar in appearance. Those of Sultauns Ahmed, Osmaun, and Selim, are grand and extensive establishments; but the most considerable is that named after Solymaun the Second, fourteenth emperor of the Mussulmauns, who had well acquired the prerogative of building it, according to the received opinion of the Turks, that a Sultaun should have

K

obtained victories over the enemies of his throne before he became founder of a religious temple. Few princes had more success in war than Solymaun; nor did ever monster make a more barbarous use of it: the relation of the cruelties of which he was guilty, and of the persecutions to which Christians were subjected by this disgrace to human nature, freezes the mind of sensibility with horror*: Yet this wretch dedicated to religion, and the adoration of the Divinity, the mosque of which I am now speaking, the most symmetrical and elegant in Constantinople †.

* IN Hungary he murdered the garrison of Buda, after having accepted their capitulation. In Austria, women were first ravished before their husbands' faces, then murdered with their children. Infants were ripped from the womb; others, seized from the breasts of their mothers, were cut in pieces before their eyes, and thrust upon pointed spears or stakes.

At another time he killed in cold blood four thousand prisoners, when retreating from an unsuccessful campaign.

He caused to be strangled in his presence his son Mustapha, on suspicions which he afterwards found were erroneous; and put to death another son, named Bajazet, with four of his children. He was proclaimed Emperor in the same year that Charles the Fifth was crowned in Germany, and died, to the joy of the world, 4th September 1566.

THE reader will observe, by the description of this mosque and that of Sancta Sophia, the similarity which prevails between them; and the same takes place

In form it is square; and in the centre is a cupola, scarcely inferior to that of Sancta Sophia, supported by four beautiful, and, from their magnitude, invaluable columns of porphyry. Three other small arches are sustained by marble pillars; adding to the strength of the upper parts of the building, and rendering the great cupola more secure. Over each aisle five smaller cupolas give an air of lightness and elegance to the interior of the mosque, which is ornamented also by two galleries: twentyfour columns, with as many cupolas, decorate the area. On the eastern side is a garden, in which are seen the tombs of Solymaun and of his wife, and several fountains handsomely decorated. In the wall which surrounds the whole are nine gates, for the convenience of access to the mosque.

In this, as in all other mosques of magnitude, hang considerable numbers of lamps. The floor is neatly matted; and on every side are recesses in the wall, where the name of "God, and Mahommed his prophet," with various extracts from the Koran, are written in gold and colored characters of the Arabic language. In the one called Mahareb, which, as has been observed, is always in the direction of Mecca, the Koran is invariably exposed open.

with respect to all other mosques; the affluence or poverty apparent in their embellishment constituting the only difference..

THE founders of mosques are generally buried near them; and the tomb, erected in the centre of a chamber or mosque of diminutive size, is so placed that it may be seen through iron lattices. The coffin, covered with a crimson and gold velvet pall, is decorated by the turban of the deceased, placed at the head, and a large silver candlestick at the feet. Lamps are suspended over the bier; and not unfrequently the arms, or some relique of the deceased, are preserved near it.

HOSPITALS, bagnios, and colleges, are attached to many of the royal mosques. The two former are of essential advantage to the indigent; and the latter, in several of which there are libraries, particularly that of Sancta Sophia, might be equally. serviceable in the promotion of knowledge and improvement of morals, were studies upon an enlightened plan comprehended by the Softahs or masters who preside. The scale of learning, however, is confined to the dogmas of the Koran, or the commentaries on the Law, requisite to be understood by those who aspire to become members of the Ulemah, and to the inferior acquirements of writing and arithmetic; in both of which there are many proficients.

THE Hippodrome of the Greeks, now called the Atmeidaun or horse-course, is a square of nearly three hundred yards in length, and about one hundred and fifty in breadth.. In former times it