or THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

walls; nor had the discovery of gunpowder su-perseded the use of the liquid and unextinguish-able fire. A wooden turret of the largest sizewas advanced on rollers: this portable magazineof ammunition and fascines was protected by athreefold covering of bulls hides: incessant vol-lies were securely discharged from the loop-holes; in the front, three doors were contrivedfor the alternate sally and retreat of the soldiersand workmen. They ascended by a stair-case<• to the upper platform, and as high as the levelof that platform, a scaling ladder could be raisedby pullies to form a bridge, and grapple with theadverse rampart. By these various arts of an-noyance, some as new as they were pernicious tothe Greeks, the tower of St. Romanus was atlength overturned: after a severe struggle, theTurks were repulsed from the breach, and in-terrupted by darkness; but they trusted, thatwith the return of light they should renew theattack with fresh vigour and decisive success.Of this pause of action, this interval of hope,each moment was improved by the activity ofthe emperor and J ustiniani, who passed the nighton the spot, and urged the labours which in-volved the safety of the church and city. At thedawn of day, the impatient sultan perceived,with astonishment and grief, that his woodenturret had been reduced to ashes: the ditch wascleared and restored; and the tower of St. Ro-I inanus was again strong and entire. He de-plored the failure of his design; and uttered aprofane exclamation, that the w ord of the thirty-VOL. XII, P

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CHAPLX VIII.