BEAUTIES OF THE BOSPHORUS. 135
and to admit that the island-fortress owed its erection to a more rational impulse than obedience to a wild dream, of the desire to counteract a still wilder prophecy.
The Square Tower, now known as the Guz-Couli, was, it is stated, originally built by the Emperor Manuel, for the purpose of communicating with the point of coast occupied by the Serai Bournou by means of an iron chain, which, on the approach of an hostile fleet, was drawn across the whole mouth of the strait, protecting both the harbour and the channel from the occupancy of the intruders. No other trace of this ingenious expedient now remains, however, and the historian is consequently as traditional as the poet; nor do the Turks appear to be at all aware that the Guz-Couli was ever appropriated to such an use - to them it is now a plague-hospital, and nothing more; while many European travellers, full of old associations, combine the peculiar situation of the castle with memories of Hero, Leander, and the Hellespont, and, confirmed in their error by its modern appellation of Guz-Couli, without hesitation christen it "Leander's Tower."
By whatever name it may be called, it is a very pleasing object from both shores, and stands amid the waves like the guardian of the strait.
BEBEC,
"Nor oft I've seen such sight, nor heard such song,
As woo'd the eye, and thrill'd the Bosphorus along."
BYRON.
THIS very pretty village, situated about midway of the Bosphorus, and stretching for a considerable distance along the European shore, is chiefly remarkable from the channel for its beautiful-shaded square, overarched by forest-trees, of gigantic growth, and an Imperial Kiosque, formerly an object of much mystery and dread, but which has now lost in romance as much as it has gained in beauty; for having become a favourite retreat of the Sultan, it has lately been gaily, and, indeed, tastefully painted..
The Kiosque of Bebec possesses an historical interest from the fact that it was at one time the appointed rendezvous of those European ambassadors with whom the Sultan wished to confer without the cognisance of the other Frank ministers, of of the members of his own government.