Page:The travels of Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch - Volume I.djvu/51

Rh Distant another stone's throw hence, is a second Pillar (صومعه), constructed of stone, called also Tekelli Dash.

We went next to view the Tombs of the deceased Sultans; that is, of the Othmanlis, from the time they conquered Constantinople, till now; together with the tomb of Sultan Murad and his nineteen children, who were strangled; and afterwards the tomb of his mother, Kosa Cason. We made a circuit through all these tombs. Over them are lamps of gold; and the rich offerings with which they are adorned surpass admiration. The officer in attendance admits visitors for sake of the good work.

The tombs of the Sultans Mustafa and Ibrahim are in another cemetery, near to the inclosure of Saint Sophia, on the way to the Divan. This is raised in solid white marble, both inside and out; and is of recent structure, giving delight to the beholder. Opposite to it is another cemetery of similar construction.

Here is the road to the Divan; and here are stationed the Writers of Petitions and the Exchangers of Intimacies; that is to say, of permissions to pass for interviews, and so forth, with their masters.

Hence we turned to visit the Aslan Khanah, or House of Lions; which consists of an ancient church of low structure, and another with a lofty cupola above it, wherein are still traces of the mosaic paintings, and of the portraits of Our Lord and the Four Evangelists, remaining until now. In the former are the wild beasts; consisting of four lions, one from Algiers (or Africa); the others from our country (Asia); and four panthers from divers countries: a jackal, a fox, three wolves, a hyæna, a head of an ancient elephant, an antique skeleton of a camel-panther (زرافه Girafa), together with an ancient crocodile. There are also traces in this lower church of the images and forms of Philosophy (Mythology) still left. It was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and is exceedingly revered. It is believed to have been the church of St. Chrysostom.

Near the Aslan Khanah is the Jiba Khanah, or House of Armour; upon the door of which is suspended an exceeding large and singular Jazma, or battle-axe. Its companion is hung on the door of the Top Khanah. Besides this, there is a variety of costly rarities.