We found the harbour gay with music, flags
and bunting, in honour of a great Russian Admiral who was leaving his
ship to journey by ours to Constantinople. His officers bade him
respectful farewells on the deck of our steamer, and he ceremoniously
kissed them each and all.
On the twenty-second day after leaving home, at six o'clock in the
morning, we were aroused in our berths and informed that we had arrived
at Constantinople. The morning, unfortunately, was dull, and our first
view of the Ottoman city, therefore, a little obscured. All the same, it
was a great sight, with its minarets and towers, its Golden Horn and
crowded quays. Our dragoman kept at bay all the clamouring crowd of
porters, guides and nondescripts of all colours and races that besieged
us. It was 8.30 a.m. when we landed, but 3.30 p.m. by Turkish time. The
Moslem day is from sunset to sunset, and sunset is always reckoned 12
o'clock; an awkward arrangement which the reforming "Young Turk" perhaps
has since altered. The week we spent in Constantinople was all too
short. We stayed at the Pera Palace Hotel, and the first night after
dinner, in our innocence, strolled out.
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