The Express.
London, England, 1856-02-16 00:00:00

TURKEY.

CMOS OM 01/11 0011111170)1111317.)
CONSTANTINOPLE, Fn. 4.

On Saturday last, %smell Mehemet Pacha, well I
known and highly esteemed by all classes during his
embassy in London, was raised for the second time
to the dignity of Orand Vizir. This change became
necessary in consequence of the approaching depar-
ture of his predecessor in office, Aali Pacha, as Turkish
plenipotentiary, to join the Paris conferences. No
one is better qualified for the duties of that impor-
tant mission, and it is hoped that the interests of
Turkey will be ably represented, and meet with all
du consideration. The peace rumours have thus
acquired some degree of consistence and probability;
but, as mentioned in my last, I have been thus tar
unable to discern in this place many signs of joy and
jubilation resulting from that circumstance. The
ultimatum, pure and simple, as accepted, we are told,
by Russia, is, to say the least, a most mysterious
production, and will leave indubitably ample room
for discussion and debate. The fifth point, above all,
looks not unlike • postscript, which we all know
contains, oftentimes, the most important matter
of the whole missive. On this, then, Turkey
founds her hopes, and public opinion, as I before
hinted, confidently anticipates the restitution of those
millions exacted by Russia u an indemnity for the
expenses of the last war. Lord Aberdeen knows, or
ought to know, all about this matter. He was then
chief of our foreign department, and his impasses
sions and predilections much the same in all proba-
bility. All that we know for certain is, that Turkey
had to disburse in annual instalments 10,000,000
ducats; and further, 1,500,000, stipulated as a com-
pensation to Russian traders for alleged losses
in the course of the war—and this, too, Beg-
land and France looking on unruffled, in the
chivalrous spirit of those times. But now
things have taken quite a different turn—and
if Turkey, as we are assured, is to be admitted
into the family of nations, and her existence
secured by common consent and guarantee of all
the great powers, • fair start is the least she can
expect on the winding-up of this question. To this
end, then the Brit and indispensable step is to give
vigour and consistence to the "sinews of war," which
,have been sadly attenuated by passing events
that is to say, by imposing on Russia, as a penalty
for her most unprovoked aggression, the restitution
of the said 8,000,0001., a comparatively trifling in-
demnity, but which would go a long way towards
the attainment of the proposed object.

A little kindlinesr, conciliation, and deference to
public opinion would effect wonders, be &seared, with
the primitive populations of this country ; and my
impression is, that if fairly and equitably dealt with
at the present momentous juncture, they will march
apace with the spirit of the age, and progress daily
in social, industrial, and political importance. But
unfortunately Turks and Turkish sffairs are little
understood in Western Europe, and still leas is ,
known, I believe, in regard to the vitality and
wonderful resources of this splendid empire.
Let, then, Turkey have but a fair chance and a
fair trial on the present oocuion, and she will fight
again, I venture to predict, with better success, and,
under the auspices of European sympathy and with
some deference to her real wants and exigencies, she
will form, one day, the nucleus of a mighty and civi-
lised state, to which millions and millions of Moho-
osed•uis will owe spiritual allegiance,and flock eagerly
from all parts of the world.
The weather, with a little variation, baa been
splendid during the lust month, and our carnival has
thus gone off without many of its wonted troubles
and misadventures. This season was enlivened, be-

side', by a very remarkable incident—considered as
such, at lout, by all acquainted with the usages and
traditions of the East. At our Embassy, on the 31st
ult., the gaieties closed with a grand fancy
ball, and the Sultan, in the afternoon of
that day, announced his intention of honouring
that fete with hie pretence. This may have been, it
Is true, entirely a spontaneous and sudden impulse
on the part of one of the most courteous and amiable
of princes ; but should it be otherwise, as some pre-
sume, great credit is due to our ambas,ador for
having succeeded at len;th in originating a grand
social reform in these parts, and which had baffled
thus far the skill and ingenuity of many an able
diplomatist. One thing is quite certain at least,
that Lord Radcliffe the day before, at nom,
had a long conference with Fethi Achmet Puha,
grand muter of the Ordnance, who now, as the
Turks say, " wears the blue neckcloth," and 'towers
above the rest in personal influence and court favour.
No sooner was this pleasing intelligence received at
the British embassy than messengers and mercurial
aitacAis were despatched in all directions to notify
the coming event, and request the fashionable@ to
assemble betimes in their fancy dresses and at an
hour, Aorreseo referees, when our good folks at home
have scarcely begun to meditate on the laborious
operations of the dinner toilet. Accordingly, at 8
p.m. the company mustered strong—nobles. notabili-
ties, ministers, ex-ministers, the chiefs of the various
corporations, the Greek and Armenian Patriarchs,
the Grand Rabbi, all surrounded with their re.
sective staffs and nationalities, the elite of
European society in every imaginable colour
and costume, naval and military officers of
all grades and nations, in their glitteriog uniforms,
thronged the state ball-room, the corridors, and every
nook and corner of our spacious palace, exhibiting a
most pleasing and unusually animated spectacle.
The palace and avenues were brilliantly illuminated,
the long suite of apartments splendidly lit up and
decorated ; and that same good taste, elegance, and
princely hospitality. were displayed on this occasion,
which, I must say, Invariably distinguish the British
Embassy under its present occupants. Nothing can ex-
ceed the happiness and cordiality which beamed on
every countenance,—" peace and good will " was
throughout the convivial watchword. Many feuds of old
standing were amicably arranged, and all those petty
animosities inseparable from oar mortal state appa-
rently consigned to oblivion ; in short, the olive
branch waved ever the ministerial, ex-ministerial,
and diplomatic groups—save and except as
regards Reschid and Mehemed Ali, the Lord
High Admiral, who passed to and fro without even a
salaam, or glance of reoognitioo. About 9 p.m., at
the British depot in the immediate vicinity of one
Embassy, the booming of artillery was:heard, and his
Majesty, in a state carriage, appeared soon after,
escorted by a detachment of British lanolin and •
guard of honour, comprising officers of all ranks. The
imperial cortege soon shot through the crowds which
lined the streets, and the Sultan was received by Lord
Radcliffe and all the persotuset of the embassy at the
palace entranoe, and, surrounded by his courtiers an all
the gnat functionaries, was conducted through the
long suite of apartments, and seemed highly de-
lighted with the novel and gay sasemblage. His
Majesty was attired in his harmful, or state robe, the
oollar richly studded with brilliants, beneath which
the order of Medjulis glittered, with the plaque and
grand cordon of the Legion of Honour. He first
*peered a private apartment, and after a short delay
reappeared in the ball-room, and was conducted to an
impromptu throne on a raised platlorm, with the
diplomatic corps standing on the left, and on the
right the ministers and great officers of state. The
Grand Visir and French Ambassador were placed
on either side, next the throne, and Lord Redcliffe
did the honours of the osremonial. In the course of
the evening hie lordship presented to the Sultan the
Hon. Misses Canning and Lady Redoliffe, who in
her turn introduced Madame de Wildenbeuck with
her daughter, Mias Prokescb, and Madame de
Soma, the Spanish Minister's lady, decked out
is bee national oostume—and whose raven locks,
dark eyes, shaded with long lashes, and Andalusian
grace and symmetry of proportions, attracted uni-
versal admiration. Some simple quadrilles were
danced in the immediate vicinity of the throve, with
which the young Sovereign appeared much pleased,
and addressed some gracious compliments to the ladles
who figured ca this occasion. Lastly, after a delay of
about half-an-hour in the ballroom, the Sultan
retired, and having partaken of refreshments in a
private apartment, was conducted to his carriage by
Lord Radcliffe, and a royal salute again greeted
. his
Majesty in paring on Ms way to the imperial palace
of Tcheragen. This, then, you will perhaps admit, is
an important historical incident—at all events, we
may claim indubitably Ike merit of having been the
first to introduce dentin, ball-going, and merry-
making among the Osmanlees, and the memorable