Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/344

 326 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. in the harbor was from Venice ; and it was natural that a mob should not make the distinction between the inhabitants of one or another Italian city. Many houses belonging to the Pisans were destroyed. The wealthier portion of the population did what they could to assist the Pisans to save their property, and to explain to the mob that though Italians they were not allies of the Venetians. On the other hand, it is, to say the least, highly probable that a considerable number of the Pi- sans had fraternized with the Venetians, and had thus awak- ened the hostility of the Constantinopolitans. Greek and Frank writers agree in saying that Crusaders and Venetians went over in considerable numbers from Galata^ to see the rich palaces, the richer churches, and the other marvels of the imperial city. The Italians and Burgundians in the army spoke the same language as the Pisans ; and it is probable that even the Frenchmen did not find much difficulty in making themselves understood by them. This alone would tend to make them sympathize with the Italians ; and when it is re- membered that they were all of the Church of the Elder Rome, and that the people among whom they were living had long been jealous of their commerce, it is easy to see that there were many common sentiments and interests which worked towards brino'ino^ the Latin inhabitants and the invaders to- gether. Xicetas tells us expressly that the Pisans and Vene- tians were reconciled, and adds that the reconciliation was the work of Isaac.^ The consequences of the attack made upon the Pisan quarter were twofold : first, this understanding with the Crusaders was improved ; and, second, many of the Pi- sans were so alarmed that they fled across the Golden Horn to Galata, and took up their residence with their fellow-coun- trymen and coreligionists. Meantime, w^hile constant and daily visits were paid by the foreigners to the Great Church and the marvels at the east end of the city, the old emperor was receiving daily visits from the Italian and crusading er the present distinction did not exist. All was Pera across the Horn. The immediate slope was Galata. ^ Nicetas, p. 731.
 * Pera and Galata are always confused by the Western writers, or rath-