t is also marble, covered with Persian carpets. In my
opinion, it is a great addition to its beauty, that it is not divided
into pews, and incumbered with forms and benches like our churches;
nor the pillars (which are most of them red and white marble)
disfigured by the little tawdry images and pictures, that give
Roman-catholic churches the air of toy-shops. The walls seemed to be
inlaid with such very lively colours, in small flowers, that I could
not imagine what stones had been made use of. But going nearer, I
saw they were crusted with japan china, which has a very beautiful
effect. In the midst hung a vast lamp of silver, gilt; besides which,
I do verily believe, there were at least two thousand of a lesser
size. This must look very glorious, when they are all lighted; but
being at night, no women are suffered to enter. Under the large lamp
is a great pulpit of carved wood, gilt; and just by, a fountain to
wash, which, you know, is an essential part of their devotion. In
one corner is a little gallery, inclosed with gilded lattices, for
the grand-signior. At the upper end, a large niche, very like an
altar, raised two steps, covered with gold brocade, and standing
before it, two silver gilt candlesticks, the height of a man, and in
them white wax candles, as thick as a man's waist. The outside of
the mosque is adorned with towers, vastly high, gilt on the top, from
whence the _imaums_ (sic) call the people to prayers. I had the
curiosity to go up one of them, which is contrived so artfully, as to
give surprise to all that see it. There is but one door, which leads
to three different stair-cases, going to the three different stories
of the tower, in such a manner, that three priests may ascend,
rounding, without ever meeting each other; a contrivance very much
admired. Behind the mosque, is an exchange full of shops, where poor
artificers are lodged _gratis_. I saw several dervises (sic) at
their prayers here. They are dressed in a plain piece of woolen,
with their arms bare, and a woolen cap on their heads, like a high
crowned hat without brims. I went to see some other mosques, built
much after the same manner, but not comparable in point of
magnificence to this I have described, which is infinitely beyond any
church in Germany or England; I won't talk of other countries I have
not seen. The seraglio does not seem a very magnificent palace. But
the gardens are very large, plentifully supplied wit