A WORD of introduction is necessary to explain the
nature of this sketch of the history of Constanti-
nople. It is the holiday-task, very pleasant to him, of
a College don, to whom there is no city in the world
so impressive and so fascinating as the ancient home of
the Cæsars of the East.

It is not intended to supersede the indispensable
Murray. For a city so great, in which there is so
much to see, a guide-book full of practical details is
absolutely necessary. For this I can refer the reader,
with entire confidence, to Murray Hand-book -- and
to nothing else. But I think everyone who visits Con-
stantinople feels the need of some sketch of its long
and wonderful history. I have myself often felt the
need as I wandered about the city, or spent a long
evening, during the cold spring, in the hotel. I have
endeavoured, as best I could, to supply what I have
myself wanted. I do not pretend to have written a
history of the city "from the earliest times to the
present day" from the mass of original authorities
of which I know something. I have used the
works of the best modern writers freely, and I
should like here, once for all, to express my obliga-
tions. I may venture to say that the list of books
I here insert will be found useful by anyone who
wishes to go further into the history than my little
book is able to take him. The ordinary standard
books are Professor Bury's edition of Gibbon; Mr
Tozer's edition of Finlay History of Greece; Pro-

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