hood of so large a capital, traversed a beautiful and fertile valley bordered by lofty hills covered with grass and brushwood, and rested the horses at a fountain. We then rode amid beautiful wood scenery to the aqueduct, said to have been built by Theodosius or Valens, a stupendous structure, 440 feet long and 117 feet high, which carries the water across a valley; amid the woods are large reservoirs, forming beautiful little lakes overshadowed by trees, and constructed to afford a constant supply of water to the aqueduct.

The little miserable village of Belgrade is embowered in woods; and after returning there, we rode to the aqueducts constructed by one of the Sultans. There are three artificial lakes which supply water. The waving woods, the solitude of the situation, the shade of the trees, and the singing of the birds, present many charms to the lover of nature. The water is carried by a subterranean drain, lined with cement, along the sides of the hills, and over the valleys by arches, twelve miles to Pera.

We rode to Boyookdere, and from the arches of the aqueduct crossing the valley, enjoyed a most lovely view of the deep blue waters of the Bosphorus, and of the Asiatic mountains. Steep hills rose behind Boyookdere, covered with waving

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groves and dark cypresses. The village, however, lost much in our estimation on entering it, and after escaping from a pack of dogs, who pursued us with loud barking, we took a boat and sailed up the Bosphorus, with a fine breeze, that carried us merrily against the strong current. What lovely scenery, and what rich varied shores! The houses, although of wood, being painted and ornamented, have a picturesque appearance, and the gardens attached to them are beautiful. The hills rise immediately behind, covered with trees, and the orange and the citron display their golden fruit amid the branches of the plane, the lime, the pomegranate, and the walnut. The shores sweeping round form a majestic lake, and are covered with buildings and gardens.

The villages of Boyookdere and Therapiah are the favoured resort of the ministers and inhabitants of the Frank quarter, who escape hither in the summer from the hot and confined air of the town, to enjoy the cold north breezes that constantly blow down the straits from the Black Sea. Boating excursions are made upon the water, and pic-nic parties on summer evenings and moonlight nights on the wooded shores. The Turkish ministers and Effendis possess country

houses, and a continued range of buildings extends along the Bosphorus perhaps for two miles.

As we advanced, the lofty hills covered with trees, the white houses, and forts lining the shore,

the light caiques and numerous vessels in full sail, presented a lively and lovely scene. We shortly came in sight of the vast expanse of the Black Sea, and the shores on either hand became more rugged and precipitous, ending in abrupt cliffs and rocky headlands. The view of the Black Sea on arriving at the entrance of the straits, is very striking; the shores, instead of gradually receding, sweep off at once on either hand at right angles, and present you with a vast and sudden expanse of dark waters that have a very grand appearance.

We landed, and ascended some of the highest points on the neighbouring shores, and enjoyed striking views of the mountainous coasts of Europe and Asia,-the winding blue waters of the Bosphorus, like a majestic river, dividing the one from the other, and the far distant peaks of the mountains of Anatolia.

On arriving again at Constantinople, we heard that there had been some cases of plague, which determined us to hasten our departure. We paid a visit to the turning or dancing dervishes in Galata, who on certain occasions assem