 | Lady Layard’s Journal Go to a Date Search the Journal |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |
20 April 1877 — En route to Constantinople | |
Friday. 20th April 1877. Henry having promised to call me early that I might see the Dardanelles I was awake & looking out of my cabin window before daybreak but there was nothing but mist & rain to be seen & so I did not get up till after 7. We went a tremendous pace going 16 knots an hour all day. Breakfasted about 9 & had with us our 1st Dragoman, Mr Sandison & the Sultan’s dragoman who spoke French well– We then sat on deck as it cleared up & we were able to amuse ourselves with glasses looking at the coast as we passed as we were in smooth water at last. Lunched at 2 & invited Capt Pearson & Mr Gough to lunch with us. As we neared Constantinople the sun shone & the view that burst upon one was surprisingly beautiful & every moment became more so as we went round Seraglio Point & came into Constantinople. The state barque of the Embassy came along side as soon as the “Osborne” made fast to the buoy– Henry & all the officers of the Osborne put on their uniforms. We had to wait abt ½ hour for the secretaries of the Embassy who came on board to receive us—but we had arrived an hour sooner than was expected. At last they came & we landed in the state barge of the “Osborne.” Soldiers were drawn up where we landed & presented arms. Open carriages were waiting at the waters edge & we drove up to Pera in grand procession. We passed thro Galata & I was astonished & bewildered at the narrow streets wooden houses—various costumes—people smoking chibouques—women in bright silk garments. It was a good long drive up to the Embassy, the 1st secy Mr Jocelyn came in the carriage with us. The Embassy is an immense stone building built on the model of the Farnese Palace—very grand with marble staircase—a large court yard glazed over, lofty rooms with silk & gold furniture very cold & dull & grand. The bed rooms are on the upper floor up a very steep staircase but when once there the view is lovely as one sees across the Petits Champs—the golden horn over Stamboul to the sea of Marmara. Sir Arnold Kemball & several others came to see Henry. He went out after dinner to see the Grand Vizier. I had such a bad cold I had to call in the Embassy Dr (Dickson) & went early to bed. Henry came in late. | |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |