hangs over the Garden of the first Valley: From thence you ascend by Stone Steps to the Gate of the _Seraglio_, and the Church of St. _Sophia_, which from the South-east falls with so easy a Descent, that it almost imperceptibly terminates on a Plain both above and below it. In short, all the Descents from the Imperial Palace to the _Hippodrom_, are moderate and gentle. South-west of the Church of St. _Sophia_, a Plain extends itself to the End of the _Hippodrom_, which is above seven hundred Paces long. The _Hippodrom_ is more than two Furlongs in Length, and one Furlong in Breadth. It stands upon a perfect Level; but this is more to be ascribed to Industry, than its natural Situation. The Middle Part of it, stretching as far as the _Propontis_, on three Sides of it, is a shelving Ground. On the East it falls with a small Declivity, on the West ’tis more upon the Descent, on the Side of the _Propontis_ ’tis directly perpendicular to the Depth, more or less, of fifty Foot. The whole Front of the _Hippodrom_ is built upon Arches, (which makes it stand upon a Level) and entertains the Spectator with a very delectable Prospect of the _Propontis_, so that you may not only see Men sailing to and fro before you, but may also see the Dolphins frequently tumbling about the Waters. The Steps on the North Side of the _Hippodrom_, which remained there but a few Years since, were demolished by _Abraham_ the _Bassa_, and were used in building his own House. Between the _Hippodrom_ and the _Propontis_ there stretches a Plain, which widens to the Breadth of four hundred Paces, where the Churches of _Bacchus_ and _Sergius_ anciently stood; of both which I shall take Notice in the following History. Below the _Hippodrom_, to the South, is the Gate call’d _Porta Leonis_, which is situate without the City, upon the Ruins of the Palace of _Leo Macellus_; the Windows of which, of antique Workmanship, are still remaining in the Walls. The Palace was built upon a Hill adjoining to the Sea, which was about a hundred Paces high. CHAP. VIII. _Of the first Valley._