the Koran is always kept in every mosque, has been constructed by the Turks, of white marble, in the south-east end of the church, and is adorned with Mosaic and gilding, with many Arabic sentences round it. On each side is a large silver candlestick with wax tapers.

THE roof is incrusted with Mosaic work, composed of a vitrified substance; pieces of which, collected principally from a small adjoining chapel, where it is more decayed than in the body of the mosque, may be purchased of those who show the edifice. Much gilding has been used, which from age is in many places destroyed.

THE frame of this immense fabric is of brick, faced with marble. The solid masses of stone, which form the chief supporting columns, are strengthened by encircling hoops of iron, and by having had boiling lead poured into the interstices. Amongst the pillars employed may be remarked six invaluable columns of green jasper, brought from Ephesus, where they ornamented the temple of Diana; and eight of porphyry, which were distinguished in that of the Sun at Rome. Much of the beauty of the interior decorations, however, has been defaced by the frequent whitewashings which the tasteless Turk has applied; and, in many places, sentences from the Koran, and the names of the Deity and the prophet, in gilt or co

lored Arabic characters, have been substituted for the original

ornaments.

IN the centre hang down, as is customary in almost all the mosques throughout the empire, circular wooden frames; from which are suspended innumerable lamps, ostriches eggs, and glass globes of all dimensions.

THE pavement, of marble, wrought into compartments, is for convenience and cleanliness covered with mats and rich carpets.

GREAT numbers of Imaums attend the service of Sancta Sophia, and are paid from the revenues, which are calculated at nearly L. 60,000 per annum.

THERE remain no doubts respecting the Emperor Constantine's having caused the foundation of a building, dedicated to religious purposes, to be laid on the spot where the gilded domes and Minarehs of Sancta Sophia now glitter, and which is the most elevated near the Seraglio; but he dying before the structure could be raised, his son Constantius continued the plan, and completed an edifice, in which so much wood was em ployed, that by an accidental fire the whole was destroyed previous to, or during the reign of Justinian. This emperor,

resolving to exceed the splendor of all other churches, and ensure the durability of his magnificence, engaged an architect of the name of Anthemius of Tralles to rebuild the whole of stone, according to the plan which now exists. It is to be remarked, however, that Anthemius, dying before the work was finished, was succeeded by Isidorus of Miletus, reputed the most able architect of those days. This accounts for the considerable difference observable between the lower and more elevated parts of the building; the carrying on of which, as is reported, was frequently interrupted by the falling in of the side-walls, and by the more destructive concussions of successive earthquakes. The perseverance of Justinian overcame every impediment and difficulty in eight years and five months, and at the expence of thirtytwo thousand pounds of gold or silver, (for antiquaries are undecided); and to this day Sancta Sophia claims and receives. a very high degree of admiration.

It would be tedious and intrusive to enter into a minute description of even the principal mosques which adorn Constantinople; they are numerous, and similar in appearance. Those of Sultauns Ahmed, Osmaun, and Selim, are grand and extensive establishments; but the most considerable is that named after Solymaun the Second, fourteenth emperor of the Mussulmauns, who had well acquired the prerogative of building it, according to the received opinion of the Turks, that a Sultaun should have

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