This permission, however, is a compliment seldom or ever paid to a man of war of any nation, except when she has an Ambassador on board; and it was the more flattering to us, because L'Iris, a French frigate, commanded by the Viscount D'Orleans, which was lying close to us, applied for it in vain at the moment we gained it. To add to the compliment, the Governor of the forts which command the pass, promised to salute us. Nothing could be more delightful than our voyage through these straits. The country on each side is beautifully picturesque, and the situation in itself highly interesting. The Dardanelles, you recollect, are the ancient Hellespont, and the spots on which the forts stand, are famous for the loves of Hero and Leander. Behind us were the Tomb of Achilles, the Semois and Scamander, the celebrated rivers of Troy, and every point brought an interesting character to our view. The day was most heavenly; and our ship, elegantly painted, and all her appointments in the highest order, formed in herself a most beautiful object. Every sail was set, and the breeze had just strength enough to enable her to overcome the force of the current. This occasional slowness of her motion, added to the majesty of her appearance, and one might almost have fancied that she herself was conscious of the compliments she was receiving from the mouths of the cannon of Europe and Asia. The Turks at the Dardanelles always salute with ball, and the nearer they go to the vessel, the greater the compliment. Each fort fired seventeen guns; their cannon are monstrous, and the shot flying _en ricochet_ along the smooth surface of the water across our bows, from Europe and Asia alternately, and throwing up the sand on the opposite shores, while shouts of applause from the admiring multitude, hailed us on our returning their salute, crowned this charming morning. It was near dusk when we got to Galipoli, where the straits open into the sea of Marmora, and on the 15th of November we arrived here. The approach to Constantinople by sea is thought superior to that of Naples, or Messina, and of course the finest in the world; we missed seeing it, by entering at night--a loss we hope to compensate on our departure. Travellers in general express great disappointment when they get into the town; and in comparison of European capitals, the streets are certainly miserable, and the buildings in general but paltry; but as they are much superior to any I have seen in the Turkish dominions, I confess that they have exceeded my expectations.