{40} The porters hustle and beat each other for your effects, so that the custom-house officers frequently come forward with their sticks to restore order.

The boxes are then searched,--a ceremony which can, however, be considerably accelerated by a fee of from ten to twenty kreutzers.
It is very advisable to fix on an hotel before leaving the boat.
There are always passengers on board who are resident at Constantinople, or at least know the town well, and who are polite enough to give advice on the subject to strangers.

By this means you rid yourself at once of the greedy servants, and need only tell a porter the name of your inn.
The inns for the Franks (a term used in the East to designate all Europeans) are in Pera.

I stayed at the hotel of Madame Balbiani, a widow lady, in whose house the guests are made comfortable in every respect.

Clean rooms, with a beautiful view towards the sea, healthy, well-selected, and palatable fare, and good prompt attendance, are advantages which every one values; and all these are found at Madame Balbiani's, besides constant readiness to oblige on the part of the hostess and her family.