The winged adventurers of a night recross from Asia to Europe, traverse the famed Bosphorus, and reaching Constantinople, alight for a moment, each on a minaret of the mosque, (formerly church of St. Sophia,) the grandest temple to Mahomet and of the Turks. The view was grand, novel and crowded with objects and memorials. It was the most noted point on the line between the East and the West, and there were the remembrances and insignia of both. These philosophic observers had carefully noticed, of late, the influences and traces of men and events, systems and creeds, times and powers, from Alexander the Great, in his primary institution of commerce and in its mighty effects, down to the condition produced by the late struggle by Turkey, France and England on one side, against the aggressions of Russia and Northern hordes on the other.
With their usual facility they next visit the palace of the Sultan. Their presence surprised, but its character was deferred to and welcomed. Turkish hospitality and courtesy are genial, when once enlisted. The Grand Vizier himself directed their entertainment near the person of his Majesty of the Crescent. In a stoical manner, but with liberal temper, they discussed with the guests matters of religion, government, social customs, moral subtleties and modern developments and tendencies. The preconceived ideas and prejudices of the American were greatly modified. The former Turk and Mohammedan of haughty bigotry, fierceness and the sword, had subsided into tolerance for the Christian, amity with the European, and deference to the civilization, learning and powers of the Caucasian race. Once the chief guardian and lookout on the ramparts of the ignorance, despotism and superstitions of the East, he now would open its portals to the more active spirit and mightier enlightenment of the West. All this was elicited and defined in the harmonious discussions that interluded the ceremonial observances.
The suite of apartments allotted to females in the larger dwelling-houses of the East (called the Harem) is a portion sacred to them and the head of the family, and forbidden to other masculine intrusion. But, for the winged spirits, there was no objection to their admittance to even the imperial Seraglio. Upon the invitation of the Sultan, who led the way, they retired with him into the delicious abode of the Sultanas and lady favorites of that mysterious Court. Here for the first time gallantry so inspired the American that he bowed, kneeled--yes, salaam-ed! This choice collection of beautiful women, selected from beauties of different climes, and from races of the higher types, presented every species of female loveliness in form, feature and complexion. The Circassian prevailed in numbers and attractions.