The motto on his seal, which he presented to a Persian Khán of his own name, was: “Evliyá hopes for the intercession of the chief of saints and prophets.”[4] [4] از رأس اتقيا وانبيا دارد اميد شفاعت اوليا Judging from the chronographs and verses which he inscribed on several monuments, and the errors into which he frequently falls respecting ancient history, Evliyá must be considered as but an indifferent poet and historian. But in his descriptions of the countries which he visited he is most faithful, and his work must be allowed to be unequalled by any other hitherto known Oriental travels. Independent of the impression made upon him by his dream, that by the blessing of the Prophet he was to visit the tombs of all the saints whom he had seen in their glory, he found that his lot was to travel; and besides the name of _Háfiz_ (knowing the Korán by heart), he well deserved _par excellence_ that of _Siyyáh_ or _the_ traveller. CONTENTS. Page BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR iii INTRODUCTION 1 SECTION I. Sayings (hadís) of the Prophet respecting Constantinople 5 SECTION II. An Account of the Foundation of the ancient City and Seat of Empire of the Macedonian Greeks, _i.e._ Constantinople ib. SECTION III. Concerning the Conquest of the Black Sea 6 Concerning the Canal from the river Dóná (Danube) 8 SECTION IV. Concerning Constantine, the ninth Builder, who erected the Walls and Castle of Constantinople 10 The Discovery of the true Cross ib. Names of Constantinople in different tongues 11 SECTION V. Concerning the Circumference of Constantinople 12 The number of paces between each of the twenty-seven Gates 14 SECTION VI. Of the wonderful Talismans within and without Kostantíneh 16 Talismans relating to the Sea 19 SECTION VII. Concerning the Mines within and without the city of Kostantín 20 SECTION VIII. Sieges of Constantinople 23 The second siege ib. The third siege 24 The fourth siege ib. The fifth siege ib. The sixth siege 25