The day which
gave birth to a city or a colony was celebrated by the
Romans with such ceremonies as had been ordained by a
generous superstition: and though Constantine might omit
some rites which savoured too strongly of their pagan
origin, yet he was anxious to leave a deep impression of
hope and respect on the minds of the spectators. On foot,
with a lance in his hand, the emperor himself led the solemn
procession: and directed the line which was traced as the
boundary of the destined capital: till the growing
circumference was observed with astonishment by the
assistants, who at length ventured to observe that he had
already exceeded the most ample measure of a great city. 'I
shall still advance,' replied Constantine, 'till HE, the
invisible Guide who marches before me, thinks proper to
stop.'"
Gibbon proceeds to describe the extent, limits, and edifices of
Constantinople. Unfortunately the limits of our space prevent us from
giving more than a portion of his brilliant picture.
"In the actual state of the city the palace and gardens of
the Seraglio occupy the eastern promontory, the first of the
seven hills, and cover about one hundred and fifty acres of
our own measure.
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