The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

THE ULEMAS OF TURKEY.

MAhonset did not institute a priesthood, and any
Kuno!man can say the prayer himself. But the Koran,
being in Arabic, and not being allowed to be translated, as
that would be a profanation, a body of lettered men gradu-
ally became formed, knowing Arabic, and reciting aloud
the prayer in the mosques, to serve as guides to the be-
liven, who prayed in a language which they do not under-
stand, or which they understand bat very imperfectly.
These lettered men or doctors have the name of Ulemas,
and the persons aspiring to become Mamas are called
soften. The Ultima, do not confine themselves to reciting
the prayer and explaining the Kona; they also inter-
pret it; and, as amongst the Mahornetans, the religious
law and the civil law form one, the Ulises call
themselves the interpreters of the law. The Grand-Mufti
is the chief of the law, but the real active chief of the
llamas, haying the title of Scheik-ul-Islam, is the Minister
of Justice. The Scheik-ul-Islam has under him for each
province a Karaskier, or superior Ulema, who is the pro-
vincial chief of justice. All the Karaskien reside at Con-
staatinople, near the Scheik-ul-Islam, and form with him
the council from which, in important conjunctures, the
Sultan asks fora fetra, which is a declaration that the
measure in contemplatien is not in opposition to the Koran.
The question being presented by the Scheik-ul-Islam, the
Ulemse reply by yes or no, like a jury, and the decision is
then adopted by the Sultan. The fileheik-ul-Islant now in
office is a men of learning and moderation, but also of great
firmness, and all who know him are convinced that he would
net tolerate a sort of revolt in the corps of the Ulemas.
That body, composed for the whole empire of about 30,000
persons, is more enlightened than is generally supposed in
the west, and is not systematically opposed to
reforms, provided they do not touch their personal
interests. It is, besides, animated by a great respect and a
great confidence for their present head. The ficheik-ul-
Islam is of the party of resistance, and his influence on the
Sultan's mind is sufficiently strong for the Enemas not to
fear that the Divan should overstep the limits of the con-
cessions made to the pacific spirit of the allies of Turkey.
Between the Sultan and his populations there has arises,
in the second phase of the Russo-Turkish dispute, • lAA-
cientiy grave difference of opinion ; the populations judging
that the Parts yielded too much to the counsels of allies
promising him aid which they did not give. Now the ac-
cord is re-established between the nation and the Sultan,
both being decided to maintain the modifications made in
the note of the conference, or to trust their destiny to the
hazard of arras.—Sieck.

SHREWSBURY AND CHESTER RAILWAY.—The di-
rectors have issued cirenlan to the shareholders containing
a statement of regret to the effect that the recent defeat of
the London sad North Western party, by a majority of
3,525 votes' has not deterred them from again issuing
proxies for the approaching general meeting; and under
these cireseastsaoes the directors spilt eel the proprietors
to entrust them with their proxies in the swat of occasion
arising for their use.