We concluded to do the dervishes, and so next day went to see the spinning ones.  They have a much larger and handsomer mosque than their howling brethren.  First they chanted, then they indulged in a “walk around.”  Every time they passed the leader, who kept his place at the head of the room, they bowed profoundly to him, then passed before him, and, turning on the other side, bowed again.  After this interchange of courtesies had lasted a while, they sailed off around the room, spinning with the smooth, even motion of a top—­arms folded, head on one side and eyes shut.  Sometimes this would be varied by the head being thrown back and the arms extended.  The rapid whirling caused their long green dresses to spread out like a half-open Japanese umbrella, supposing the man to be the stick, and they kept it up about thirty minutes to the inspiring music of what sounded like a drum, horn and tin pan.  We remained to witness the first set: whether they had any more and wound up with the German, I cannot say.  We were tired and went home, satisfied with what we had seen.  I should think they corresponded somewhat with our Shakers at home, as far as their “muscular Christianity” goes, and are rather ahead on the dancing question.

One of the prominent objects of interest on the Bosphorus is Roberts College.  It stands on a high hill three hundred feet above the water, and commands an extensive view up and down the Bosphorus.  For seven years Dr. Hamlin vainly endeavored to obtain permission to build it, and the order was not given till Farragut’s visit.  The gallant admiral, while breakfasting with the grand vizier, inquired what was the reason the government did not allow Dr. Hamlin to build the college, when the grand vizier hastily assured him that all obstacles had been removed, and that the order was even then as good as given.  Americans may well be proud of so fine and well-arranged a building and the able corps of professors.  We visited it in company with Dr. Wood and his agreeable wife, who are so well known to all who take any interest in our foreign missions.  After going over the college and listening to very creditable declamations in English from some of the students, we were hospitably entertained at luncheon by Professor Washburn, who is in charge of the institution, and his accomplished wife.  Within a short distance of the college is the Castle of Europe, and on the opposite side of the Bosphorus the Castle of Asia.  They were built by Mohammed II. in 1451, and the Castle of Europe is still in good preservation.  It consists of two large towers and several small ones connected by walls, and is built of a rough white stone, to which the ivy clings luxuriantly.