The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-12 00:00:00

THE IFURKIsH EMPIRE.

Extracts from " The Present State of the Turkish
Empire," by Marshal Marmont, Duke of Ragusa, &c.

CONSTANTINOPLE.
" The appearance of the Bosphorus, from its entrance
to Constantinople, is beautiful beyond the power of
imagination to conceive, and we are led to believe that
we have reached the capital of the world ; but this
bright illusion quickly vanishes, and then an afflicting
picture meets the eye in all directions. For we
find the population in a state of wretchedness ;
the houses small and built of wood ; the streets
pestiferous, ill.formed, and narrow ; the numerous coffee
houses filled with idlers ; all the intervals between the
quarters occupied by tombs ; and animals disgusting in
appearance, and without an owner, seemingly in undis-
turbed possession of the place."

MAIIMOUD ON HIS WAy TO MOSQUE.
He embarks in a boat superbly gilt and manned by
twenty•eight rowers, who are beautifully dressed. It
is followed by another equally handsome, and the poop
of each is covered by a magnificent crimson canopy.
"On quitting the shore, the Sultan is saluted by
the whole of the fleet, each ship of war firing twenty-
one guns.

" When dynasties are falling, etiquette becomes the
substitute for power ; human nature, always inclined to
shrink from the confession of its real weakness, clings
to the external signs of strength when the reality has
ceased ; and monarchs are disposed to seek for homage,
when they can no longer show their greatness by thei r
noble acts.

" At the period of the lower Empire this same
country presented such another picture. •
" The boats passed through the water with the swift-
ness of an arrow, and as if by magic reached the shore
to which they steered. The Sultan disembarked and
entered the mosque ; but being then at two great dis-
tance to see him distinctly, I placed myself in a suitable
position for observing him on his return.
" A part of one of the cavalry regiments of the
guards, dismounted, was drawn up in line in front of the
mosque. and a numerous body of officers, of an irregular
appearance, had assembled on the spot.
" After remaining about twenty minutes in the
mosque, the Sultan quitted it, and mounted his horse.
Although he has neither dignity in his manner, nor ex-
pression in his countenance, still he is handsome ; and
notwithstanding his features are strongly marked, yet
there is not that appearance of harshness in them I had
been led to expect.
" Being informed of my presence, he looked at me
several times with much attention.

" His retinue consisted of several Generals, among
whom were the Seraskier, the Capudan Paella, and
Halil-Pacha, the Sultan's son-in-law. According to
custom, perfumes were burnt before him."
INTERVIEW WITH THE LATE SULTAN MAHMOUD.

" The Sultan having desired that I should be sum
moned to his presence, I ascended to the first floor,
where the state apartments are &tuatcd, and after
passing through three halls, was ushered into a room on
the right hand, where I found his Highness sitting on
a couch. I was placed opposite to him, in the midst of
seven or eight of his chief Paellas, those of inferior rank
remaining near the entrance. Having told the Sultan
that I considered myself most fortunate in being ad-
mitted to an audience of a Prince whose great actions
had so distinguished him in Europe, be replied, that he
had heard me spoken of and was glad to make my
acquaintance. The Seraskier then stated, that we
were old friends, and, on my confirming this,
I found he had previously spoken to the Sultan
of our former good understanding. His High-
ness having inquired my opinion of his troops, I
felt that the question was embarrassing, but extricating
myself with the best grace in my power, and avoiding in
my reply either much departure from the truth or any
offensive observation, I hastened to pass some sincere
and well merited eulogiums on the crew of the Admiral's
ship. I added, that I should be much gratified in seeing
the school of the guards, which Namik Pacha had pro-
mised to show me, and seized that opportunity to im-
press upon the Sultan the great importance of well-
organized and well-conducted schools, and the influence
they might exercise over the fate of his new army
He observed that there were already other schools, and
that he should establish still more
I" The Sultan adverting to the great number of
years that had elapsed since my name had first been
heard of in Europe, I observed to him that I was in-
' de bte d for this melancholy advantage to two causes, in
' I
the first place to my being an old man, and secondly,