Constantinople is situated after such a Manner in a _Peninsula_, that ’tis scarce bounded by the Continent; for on three Sides ’tis inclosed by the Sea. Nor is it only well fortified by its natural Situation, but ’tis also well guarded by Forts, erected in large Fields, extending from the City at least a two Day’s Journey, and more than twenty Miles in Length. The Seas that bound the _Peninsula_ are _Pontus_, or the _Black Sea_, the _Bosporus_, and the _Propontis_. The City is inclosed by a Wall formerly built by _Anastasius_. ’Tis upon this Account that being secured as it were by a double _Peninsula_, she entitles her self the Fortress of all _Europe_, and claims the Preheminence over all the Cities of the World, as hanging over the Straits both of _Europe_ and _Asia_. For besides other immense Advantages peculiar to it, this is look’d upon as a principal Convenience of its Situation, that ’tis encompassed by a Sea abounding with the finest Harbours for Ships; on the South by the _Propontis_, on the East by the _Bosporus_, and on the North by a Bay full of Ports, which can not only be secured by a Boom, but even without such a Security, can greatly annoy the Enemy. For the Walls of _Constantinople_ and _Galata_ straitning its Latitude into less than half a Mile over, it has often destroy’d the Enemies Ships by liquid Fire, and other Instruments of War. I would remark farther, that were it secured according to the Improvements of modern Fortification, it would be the strongest Fortress in the World; _viz._ if the four ancient Ports, formerly inclosed within its Walls by Booms, were rebuilt; two of which (being not only the Ornament, but the Defence of old _Byzantium_) held out a Siege against _Severus_ for the Space of three Years; nor could it ever be obliged to a Surrender, but by Famine only. For besides the Profits and Advantages it receives from the _Propontis_ and _Ægean_ Sea, it holds an absolute Dominion over the _Black Sea_; and by one Door only, namely by the _Bosporus_, shuts up its Communication with any other part of the World; for no Ship can pass this Sea, if the Port thinks fit to dispute their Passage. By which means it falls out, that all the Riches of the _Black Sea_, whether exported or imported, are at her Command. And indeed such considerable Exportations are made from hence of Hydes of all Kinds, of Honey, of Wax, of Slaves, and other Commodities, as supply a great Part of _Europe_, _Asia_ and _Africa_; and on the other hand, there are imported from those Places such extraordinary Quantities of Wine, Oil, Corn, and other Goods without Number, that _Mysia_, _Dacia_, _Pannonia_, _Sarmatia_, _Mæotis_, _Colchis_, _Spain_, _Albania_, _Cappadocia_, _Armenia_, _Media_, _Parthia_, and both Parts of _Scythia_, share in the great Abundance. ’Tis for this Reason, that not only all foreign Nations, if they would entitle themselves to any Property in the immense Wealth of