The surprise was complete ; the victory, both by land and sea, brilliant and unexpected. It is hardly too much to say that it was the beginning of the end, because the weakest portion of the walls were those facing the Golden Horn and within the harbor. The Greeks scarcely realized at the time how great was their loss, but the elation among the Venetians and the Crusader's showed the importance they attached to the event. Readers will remember that in 1453 the defence of the harbor was so strong, by means of the chain and the fortifications, that Mahomet, in despair of breaking through, had to obtain possession of the harbor by transporting his boats over the neck of land between the modern Tophana and the valley now known as Cassim Pacha. Galata was then, however, a walled city, and the Turkish ships were probably much smaller than those of Venice.

Venetians and Crusaders

Venetians and Crusaders were rightly of opinion that the advantage they had gained should be immediately followed up by a general attack. Ho attempt at negotiations appears to have been made. A bold, sudden attempt was to be made before the emperor should have time to organize a defense. Four days only were spent in Galata, and these were occupied in transporting their stores, in preparing for battle, and in determining upon the plan of attack. The Venetians were naturally in favor of making the principal assault by sea. Arrange- Their proposal was to take their ships close up to Stuck on the north side of the city, and throw and water. out ladders from the ships to the walls—a feat quite capable of execution, as subsequent events showed. The Crusaders as naturally preferred fighting on land. The difficulty was overcome by the arrangement that the Venetians should attack by sea, while the army endeavored to effect an entrance through the landward walls.

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