Manners, habits, political institutions, and
religion, of course, are interesting in all; and to those whose studies
and enquiries lead them to investigate the differences in the different
families of the human race, the opportunities afforded them by the
Gothic Nations of Scandinavia; the Slavonic nations of Russia and
Poland; and the totally distinct and singular races which inhabit
Lapland and Finland, must be valuable and useful.
When we enter Turkey, the scene changes, or rather expands. Within its
European, as well as its Asiatic empire, travellers of all descriptions,
however various their objects, will find rich and ample materials.
Situated in a mild climate, with great variety of soil, in it are found
plants remarkable for their uses in medicine and the arts, or for their
beauty: its mountainous districts contain treasures for the
mineralogist; and to the politician and student of human nature, it
exhibits the decided effects of the Mahometan religion, and of Asiatic
despotism. But what principally distinguishes it from the other
countries which have hitherto occupied us, must be sought in its ruins
of Grecian magnificence and taste: in the traces and evidences it
affords of ancient times, manners, and acquirements: in the hold it
possesses over our feelings, and even over our judgment, as being
classic ground - the soil which nourished the heroes of Marathon and the
bard of Troy. - The language, the manners, the customs, the human form
and countenance of ancient Greece, are forcibly recalled to our
recollection.
The travels in this part of the world have been so numerous, that we
must be strict and limited in our selection, having regard principally
to those which exhibit it under its various aspects with the greatest
fidelity, at various periods.
268. Nicholai Clenard Epistola de Rebus Mahomediis, in Itinere scriptis.
Louvain, 1551. 8vo.
269. Petrus Gyllius de Bosphoro Thracio. Elzerer, 1561. 4to. - This is one
of the first travellers who describes the antiquities of this part of
Turkey: manners and natural history, such as it was in his time, also come
under his notice. Dallaway praises him.
270. Sandy's (Geo.) Travels, containing the State of the Turkish Empire, of
Greece, Egypt, and the Holy Land. 1673. fol. - Sandys was an accomplished
gentleman, well prepared by previous study for his Travels, which are
distinguished by erudition, sagacity, and a love of truth, and are written
in a pleasant style.
271. Ricault's History of the Present State of the Ottoman Empire. 1689.
8vo. - Ricault was secretary to the English Embassy at the Porte in 1661.
The Mahometan religion, the seraglio, the maritime and land forces of
Turkey are particularly noticed by him. An excellent translation into
French, with most valuable notes, by Bespier, was published at Rouen, in
1677. 2 vols. 12mo.
272. Lady Mary Wortley Montague's Letters.
