Slightly unexpected quote of the day

'If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.'
Alphonse de Lamartine.


I love this because it is so random and whimsical. It is also rather unlikely, coming from Lamartine, who was a serious politician and man of letters, and something of an idealist. Even idealists have to have the occasional day off, and talk as if they are in a Nancy Mitford novel. 

Portrait by Henri Decaisne.

Perhaps this is what he was thinking of:

The Dolmabahce Palace, taken, slightly incongruously, from The Four Seasons website, where they have rather nice pictures of their very grand Istanbul hotel, which they encourage one to share.