The Press.
London, England, 1856-07-26 00:00:00

MARSHAL PELISSIER AT CONSTAN-
TINOPLE.

A LETTER from Therapia of the 14th, in the Moniteur,
gives some curious details of Marshal Pelissier's
sojourn at Constantinople
The Sultan, in order to gratify the marshal, had been
graciously pleased to order Mehemed Bey, the intendant
of the palace of Top Kopon, to conduct that officer
through the room containing the treasures of the crown
and the different kiosks erected by his Majesty's ancestors
within the circuit of the seraglio. On the morning of the
10th, the French Ambassador, the marshal, Vice-Admiral
Trehouart, and the persons who accompanied them, pro-
ceeded in state carriages to the seraglio, where Mehemed
Bey had prepared for them a splendid breakfast. They
afterwards were conducted to the kiosk of Bagdad, a most
beautiful construction, built by Sultan Amorath IV., and
situated on the highest point of the seraglio. It is im-
possible to behold anything more admirable than this con-
struction. It is lined inside and out with slabs of porce-
lain, known by the name of Kiachi, and the finest kind of
which was formerly made at Knchan in Persia. All the doors,
shutters, and panels are of cypress-wood, incrusted with
tortoiseshell, ivory, and mother•of-pearl in beautiful
patterns. The ceiling of the cupola is covered with de-
signs in gold on a vermillion ground, the colour of which
is still as fresh and bright as ever. When the visitors had
sufficiently admired this wonderful construction, Mehemed
Bey conducted them to the private treasury of the Sultan.
Until late years the riches accumulated by the Ottoman
Sovereigns were deposited in coffers ranged in cellars of
Byzantine construction. But, in the prevision of a visit
from the Emperor of the French, the Sultan last year
gave orders to have a room prepared and arranged
with the objects worthy of being shown to his august
ally. The intention of the Sultan was in part carried out,
and, owing to the exertions of Mehemed Bey, a portion of
the wonders which the Ottoman treasury contains can be
viewed by the persons specially permitted to visit them.
The visitor's attention is first attracted by the throne of
Ker Kaous, Sultan of Koniah in 12,15, which was formerly
surrounded by hangings embroidered with pearls and
emeralds, now hung up in glass cases. This seat, in solid
silver, is covered over with enamelled designs of the
greatest beauty, representing the thrones and ornaments
of the Kings of Persia in the olden time. It is sur-
rounded in every part with cloth of gold, and the cushions
are of crimson velvet, embroidered with pearls and pre-
cious stones. Close to it are to be seen the shield and
sabre which Sultan Amurath wore when he made his
triunvhal entry into Constantinople after his Persian
expedition. These arms are dazzling with diamonds.
By their side is the precious box which contained the
Koran, and which the Sultan Suleyman carried with
him during his campaigns. The lid is covered
with jewels of price, amongst which is a tur-
quoise in the shape of an almond of immense size. To
the end of the cord which served to suspend this box is
fixed an emerald as large as a hen's egg. In another part
of the room are arranged the aigrettes which the Sultans
formerly wore in their turbans on days of ceremony. The
emeralds, rubies, and diamonds collected together in these
ornaments are of a size and brilliancy to excite wonder;
and it may be safely predicated that NVestern Europe can
boast of few jewels to be compared to these handed down by
the ancient sultans. I will not dwell on the beautiful
objects in some other rooms, but nothing can surpass
the beauty and exquisite finish of the cups of jade, the'
arms inlaid with jewels, ancient stuffs stiff with gol.
and silver, China vases, and a most curious collection
of timepieces of the seventeenth century, sent as presents
from the Sovereigns of Europe. The inspection of the
Imperial treasury being terminated, the visitors were con-
ducted to the library, erected by Sultan Ahmed, which
contains a collection of Eastern manuscripts, such as can-
not be found elsewhere ; and, lastly, they visited the old
throne room, the canopy and chimney-piece of which are
covered with silver plates, beautifully enamelled and inlaid
with agates, garnets, and turquoises. A theatrical per-
formance followed, at the conclusion of which the
marshal and his party proceeded to the Porte, and in-
spected a body of troops drawn up on the vast esplanade
of the Seraskierate. Everywhere the marshal was the obt
served of all observers.