DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0458
Chap, xxiv.]
THE GARDENS OF ANGORA.
425
attached to the convent, and several English names attest
the former existence of a flourishing factory. I also copied
here many Greek and Latin inscriptions* In the chapel a
curious window was pointed out to me, which appeared to
be a yellow transparent alabaster. I believe it is called
pierre specvlaire.
On our way to the Gardens we halted at the vineyard
of an Armenian merchant, where the horses were held by a
poor Pole, whose life had been a series of sad and inter-
esting adventures. Serving under Buonaparte in the cam-
paign of 1812, he was taken prisoner by the Russians at
the battle of Berezina; and after spending some time in
Siberia was placed in a Russian regiment, and sent to the
Caucasus to fight against the Circassians. Here he deserted,
and was sold and resold as a slave for several years, until
he fell into the hands of a Turk, who brought him to
Angora, where he worked as a gardener for some time.
Two years ago his Turkish master gave him his liberty.
At the Gardens, where we found a cool retreat from
the sun, and enjoyed the Turkish luxury of reclining on
carpets by the side of a small brook, we met with another
remarkable character, an Armenian recluse, who lives here
by himself, cultivating his garden with his own hands.
The Pacha of Angora is said to have a great regard
for him, and constantly visits him in his retirement. He
was formerly one of the richest Armenian bankers at
Constantinople, and director of the mint. Notwithstanding
his enormous wealth, his extravagance and generosity ena-
bled him to get rid of his whole fortune; he has since
retired to this spot, where he leads the life of a hermit, only
visiting the town to sell the produce of his garden.
The greatest curiosities at Angora in the eyes of the
inhabitants are the many subterranean passages, which
extend far and wide in various directions. One is said to
lead from the citadel to the river; but, although I had the
Pacha's permission to visit it, the keys of the iron gate were
* See Appendix, Nos. 129—133.
THE GARDENS OF ANGORA.
425
attached to the convent, and several English names attest
the former existence of a flourishing factory. I also copied
here many Greek and Latin inscriptions* In the chapel a
curious window was pointed out to me, which appeared to
be a yellow transparent alabaster. I believe it is called
pierre specvlaire.
On our way to the Gardens we halted at the vineyard
of an Armenian merchant, where the horses were held by a
poor Pole, whose life had been a series of sad and inter-
esting adventures. Serving under Buonaparte in the cam-
paign of 1812, he was taken prisoner by the Russians at
the battle of Berezina; and after spending some time in
Siberia was placed in a Russian regiment, and sent to the
Caucasus to fight against the Circassians. Here he deserted,
and was sold and resold as a slave for several years, until
he fell into the hands of a Turk, who brought him to
Angora, where he worked as a gardener for some time.
Two years ago his Turkish master gave him his liberty.
At the Gardens, where we found a cool retreat from
the sun, and enjoyed the Turkish luxury of reclining on
carpets by the side of a small brook, we met with another
remarkable character, an Armenian recluse, who lives here
by himself, cultivating his garden with his own hands.
The Pacha of Angora is said to have a great regard
for him, and constantly visits him in his retirement. He
was formerly one of the richest Armenian bankers at
Constantinople, and director of the mint. Notwithstanding
his enormous wealth, his extravagance and generosity ena-
bled him to get rid of his whole fortune; he has since
retired to this spot, where he leads the life of a hermit, only
visiting the town to sell the produce of his garden.
The greatest curiosities at Angora in the eyes of the
inhabitants are the many subterranean passages, which
extend far and wide in various directions. One is said to
lead from the citadel to the river; but, although I had the
Pacha's permission to visit it, the keys of the iron gate were
* See Appendix, Nos. 129—133.