BEAUTIES OF THE BOSPHORUS.       91

PLATE: THE SERAGLIO POINT.

THE SERAGLIO POINT.

---

"Claudius: - Look forth - What see you?
"Benedict: - Every thing, and nothing!
Bright skies, clear waters, sunshine, snow, and flowers;
Islands, that seem as if in sport they laved Their bosoms in the tide; and shores that smile
At their own beauty, mirrored in the glass
Of a blue, waveless sea; dwellings that rise
Upon the eye like party-coloured flowers;
And a warm sunshine, wantoning in sport
With the white veil of winter, cast about
A foot-defying mountain, round whose brow
The amorous clouds cling like a bridal garland.
And ever and anon there flits a sail
Over the surface of the waters, swift,
And graceful as the passage of a spirit,
Bound on some pure behest."
                            OLD PLAY.

---

THE Seraglio Point has been often described in this volume, that it is merely necessary to introduce the present beautiful sketch, by explaining that it is taken from a height, and, consequently, compresses and embraces a greater number of objects than have yet been introduced into one view of this celebrated spot. The Serai Bournou is more fully revealed, with its clustering domes and kiosques; St. Sophia lords it more majestically over the Seven Hills; and the glimpse of the harbour is shut in by a portion of one of the quaintly-fashioned houses so peculiar to the locality. In the distance rises Mount Olympus, pale with its eternal snows; with one fantastic rock looming out of the blue waters immediately beneath it, like a huge marine monster sleeping under the still sunshine. To the left, still stretching along the same line of coast, cluster the nest of islets, once known as the "Demon Islands," and said to have been haunted by a foul spirit; who, however, it may presumed - -

"Visits no more the glimpses of the moon,
Making night hideous;"

as three holy houses have been erected within their limits, and a royal lady sheltered there safely for many days to elude a hated and infidel suitor;