The Greek Manuscripts in the Old Seraglio at Constantinople

Sultan, allowing me to enter the Old Seraglio and examine the thirty or so Greek manuscripts there.

I went to bed that night, little dreaming of what was to happen before I awoke. When I went downstairs the next morning, the proprietor of my hotel asked what I planned to do. When I replied that I was going across to Stamboul to begin sightseeing, he told me that there had been a mutiny and that it would be impossible to pass the Galata Bridge. Wishing to see for myself, I walked down from Pera but was unable to hire a dragoman An interpreter or guide. on any terms; the inhabitants of Constantinople appeared to have a wholesome terror of any movement involving the army. I passed onto the bridge without difficulty, though the traders in the lower districts of Galata were closing their shops as quickly as possible. There, I fell in with a British officer on leave who, like me, wanted to see what was going on. Upon arriving in Stamboul, we turned left and headed toward St. Sophia. The streets were full of the lowest classes—porters and hangers-on—with a liberal sprinkling of Softas Theological students.. Then, we began to see the mutineers. Bands of them were converging from all parts of the town toward the broad square in front of St. Sophia and the House of Deputies. They were led, if led at all, by non-commissioned officers, and as they ran they loaded their rifles, each holding his own firmly against the small of the back of the man in front of him. We heard that their officers, meanwhile, were lying securely tied up in their barracks—a few had been killed (only those who showed some sign of resisting), and some of the more discreet had managed to slip into civilian clothes and leave their posts. We were admitted into St. Sophia without difficulty, although some kind of service was underway, and we were able to look well at that wonderful building. When we came out again onto the square shortly after midday, it was thick with troops, and we could see perhaps a hundred Ulemas Islamic scholars or religious leaders. or priests walking to and