BEAUTIES OF THE BOSPHORUS. 17
PLATE: SCENE FROM ABOVE THE NEW PALACE OF BESHIK - TASH
PALACE OF BESHIK - TASH
"The European with the Asian shore
Sprinkled with palaces: the ocean-stream
Here and there studded with a seventy-four;
Sophia's cupola with golden gleam:
The cypress groves; Olympus high and hoar."
BYRON
THE new palace of Beshik-Tash, erected by the present Sultan, commands a noble view of the Propontis; sweeps the Bosphorus through nearly its whole length; looks towards Scutari, (the Asian jewel seated at the foot of the dark mountain-chain of Bulghurlhu-Dagi;) affords a glimpse of the ancient Chalcedon; and includes within the range of its magnificent prospect the snow-crowned summit of Mount Olympus, flashing out in the distance through the clear blue of the horizon like a huge pearl set in sapphires; the Seraï Bournou, whose imperial walls enclose what was once a city; and the "Seven Hills" of glorious Stamboul. The world can probably produce no similar panorama; and as the traveller stands on the height above the palace gardens, and looks down upon the heavy inelegant wooden edifice, protected an the seaward side by a stately colonnade of white marble, he may well be pardoned should he indulge a regret that this imperial residence should be so unworthy of its admirable and unequalled site.
During the youth of Sultan Mahmoud, he was induced to consult a celebrated astrologer, who, among other predications, foretold, that while he continued to build palaces, he should be successful in all his undertakings. And it would appear that he put the most perfect faith in the prophecy, for every pretty bay in the Bosphorus has its kiosque; and the number of his residences in the immediate vicinity of the capital, amounts to fifty-seven. the palace of Beshik-Tash is the last and most extensive of the whole, but decidedly the least picturesque and elegant. Its Armenian architect was not, however, selected without due consideration on the part of the Sultan, who was won to decide on the present plan by the assurance that it was thoroughly European; a fact which could not be disputed, were the glittering and well-proportioned columns that support the open peristyle swept away, when this huge pole, which has cost upwards of a million sterling, would present precisely the appearance of a manufactory.