The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-10 00:00:00

BEL GI UM.

BRUSSELS, DEC. 6.—ln the sitting of the Chamber of
the Representatives to-day, M. Meerus treated at length
the subject which he merely touched upon in the pre-
ceding sitting, namely, the necessity of creating a real
monetary system in Belgium.
The Hon. Minister was listened to with very great at-
tention by the Chamber, especially by the Minister of
Finance, who declared in the name of the Government
that he was going seriously to consider this subject.

The number oi'witnessjs who have been heard in the
affair of the conspiracy amounts to 485. The prelimi-
nary investigations are nearly terminated. -
GENERAL SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGE-
MENT OF THE NATIONAL MANUFACTURE.

The Directors of the General Society have the honour
to inform the public that they have ascertained that
notes of the General Society for I,ooof. have been fabri-
cated, probably in England, and sent from London to
Belgium, where they arrived yesterday.
These notes having' been immediately recognised as
forgeries , at the office where they were presented, the.
Directors have reason to believe that there are but few
of them, and, that there are none in circulation in Belgium.
The Directors, however, think it their duty to acquaint
the public with, this fact,- and to state the marks by which
the forged I,ooof. notes spay be recognised. • The stamps
are bidly executed; especially that office General Society.
The General, SOciety applies a moveable stamp at the
back of every note, the impression of which on one
note never resembles that on another. In the forged
notes, the part of the impression which accompanies
them is similar on every note, and the border of the un-
pression is much broader than on the genuine note.
The paper employed by the forgers is badly imitated ;
it is much more opaque, and of a darker blue, inclining
to green.

The transparent opaque figures are more heavy, and
less pure in shape. The most evident sign of forgery,
which the public may immediately discover by laying the
notes on a table, is that, on the whole of the back of the
forged notes, the impression is not to be seen, whereas
the back of the genuine notes visibly shows the impres-
sion of the printed character. All the figures, the num-
bers, the signatures, and all that is written, are badly
counterfeited.

The notes hitherto recognised as forgeries bear the
impression of the following words, applied to the back
of those notes, by means of an oval stamp :—" James
Bult, Son, and Company, money changers and dealers in
bullion, 85 and 86, Cheapside, London." Persons who,
notwithstanding these indications, may desire to ascer-
tain whether the 1,000 franc notes in their hands are
genuine, may apply to the office of the General Society,
where a dry stamp, and the signature of two of the
cashiers, will be immediately affixed to them, unless the
bearer prefers changing them for money.
(Signed) COUNT DE MEERUS, the Governor.
GREBAN, the Secretary.
Brussels, Dec. 5, 1841.

MISS FANNY RUSSELL'S CONCERT.—This
lady's concert took place on Wednesday at the Queen's
Concert Rooms, Hanover-square. The whole of the seats
in the great room were occupied by visitors, and the pas-
sages between the seats were also crowded by those who
came late. The concert commenced with the Jubilee Over-
ture (C. M. Von Weber), after which came the Grand Cho-
rus from the Messiah, "For unto us a child is born ;" the
air (Miss M. B. Hawes) "Holy, Holy" (Redemption),
Handel, followed, and excited considerable applause.
The Recitative and Air, Miss Fanny Russell, " With
verdure clad," from Haydn's Creation, was excellently
executed ; and received deserved applause., The second
part of the concert was commenced with Rossini's over-
ture to Guillaume Tell, which was admirably. performed,
and drew forth universal approbation., The . grand
chorus, which comprised the whole of the ,mombers of
the Professional Choral Society, was mosi.efficient. Sir
George Smart acted as conductor ; Messrs.; F. Cramer
and J. D. Loder, as leaders ; and Mr. F. Harris presided
at the organ. The concert was well got up, and worthy
of the patronage it received. , -
DEATH FROM LOCK-JAW.--Yesterday an in-
quest was held by Mr. Baker, at the London Hospital,
on the- body of John Johnson, aged -thirty-five. By
the evidence it appeared that the deceased was master
of the barge Martha, trading between London and
Hertford, and on the 25th ult., whilst coming up from
the latter place on the river Lee, near Bow, he at-
tempted, by means of a long pole, to steer the' barge
into mid-stream ; in doing so his thumb got fixed
between the polo and a rope, and before he could disen-
gage it the bone was broken, and the whole of the skin
stripped off, laying the nerves bare. He went ashore,
and having had medical advice proceeded to the London
Hospital. He went on very unfavourably until the 2d
instant, when amputation of the thumb was performed.
Tetanus, or lock-jaw subsequently set in, which caused
his death yesterday morning. Verdict, " Accidental
Death."

FOOT RACE EXTRAORDINARY.—A dispute
arising between a teetotaller of Turvey, Beds, and ano-
ther person of the same place, respecting the system of
total abstinence, it was agreed to decide the matter by a
foot-race, which took place near Turvey Bridge on
Wednesday week. On their meeting at the starting-
post, the drinker of alcohol was decidedly in the best
condition, but on the word being given for starting, the
teetotaller shot ahead of his opponent, and seemed to be
winning easy. It soon, however, appeared that his wind
was gone, and the disciple of Sir John Barleycorn came in
the winner amidst the plaudits of the multitude.—Staf-
foro'shire Gazette.

It is stated that the late Sir Francis Chantrey,
holding to the last the high esteem for that which
throughout his whole career distinguished him, has left,
by will, an income of 3001. a-year to the President of the
Royal Academy for the time being. This bequest not to
commence, however, until the deaths of his wid)w.

THE VICTORIA PARK.-011 Wednesday last
a meeting of market-gardeners took place at the Three
Colts, Bethnal-green. The object of the meeting was to
inform the market-gardeners at what time their land
might be required for the Victoria Park. Messrs.
Woodcock, Greig, Lyton, Caber, Fitch, Turner, Litton,
Bullock, Minter, and Wells, attended. A. letter from the
Earl of Lincoln, Chief Commissioner of :the Woods and
Forests, was read by Lieut. Nugent Macnamare. The
communication from his Lordship appeared to afford sa-
tisfaction, and after a vote of thanks to his Lordship for
his courtesy, and to Lieut. Macnamara for his attention
to their interests, the meeting, which was• only a preli-
pinary one, adjourned until next mouth,

THE TURKISH FESTIVAL OF
THE BEIRAM.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 17.--We are in the midst
of the " feast of breaking fast," or Beiranz, during
which no public business is transacted. Shops arc
shut, all work is suspended, and, the Turkish popula-
tion abandon themselves to recreation, feasting, visit-
ing, and complimenting. One thing, however, which
we Franks cannot boast of upon similar occasions is
conspicuous among them—namely, their admirable so-
briety and tranquillity. Even during this, their only
festival, with the exception of the Courbann Beirant
(feast of sacrifices), instituted in honour of Abraham's
immolation of the ram, the Turks maintain a correct-
ness of deportment, and sobriety of manner, which
form a marked contrast with the quarrelling and intoxi-
cation that are observable in our streets and public-
houses upon holidays. Christians may take advantage
of these festivals, as well as their own, to riot and revel
in Galata and Pero, but not a single Turk infringes the
law respecting forbidden liquors ; and public broils
or scuffles are unknown. Even among the lower classes
the most addicted to intoxication with us, no instance is
ever met with of similar excesses.
It is customary with Franks to attribute every bad
quality to the Turks ; but whatever may be their de-
fects of character or habit, they possess in a pre-emi-
nent degree the virtues of temperance and respect for
law and outward decorum. It matters little whether
this proceeds from religious impulse or natural dispo-
sition ; all that we strangers have to consider are the
results, and these aye essentially praiseworthy. The
same remark may be applied to their strict self abnega-
tion from sunrise to sunset, during Ratnazan. An
Englishman, by way of mortifying his flesh upon fast-
days, adds a dish of salt fish, egg sauce, parsnips, and
pancakes, to his usual repast, and even exempts
himself from this ceremony when it suits his fancy.
But no temptation, no thirst or hunger, whether
in health or sickness, could induce the lowest por•
ter or boatman to smoke, drink water, or touch food,
during the hours prescribed for abstinence. During
the long days, when Ramazan falls in summer, and
the thermometer rises to 95 and 100 in the shade, the
sufferings of the working-classes from thirst are ietense ;
and yet, if the promised rivers of paradise were to flow
towards their lips, they would avert their heads, and ab-
stain from slaking their thirst until the moon had arisen.
One or two circumstances attendant upon this period
are, however, somewhat irregular, and if observed, as
they arc undoubtedly observed most rigidly, they afford
another proof of the implicit obedience of the people to
their religious tenets. The Moslems have seven nights
during the year which are held especially sacred ; for
instance, those of the conception, nativity, and assump-
tion of Mahornet, that on which the two recording
angels constantly attendant upon men exchange their
old registers for new ones, and when Azrael, the angel
of death, also receives a new book, wherein are in-
scribed the names of all those who are destined to die
within the year; the fifth is called Leileth-ul-Cadr
(night of force), and the sixth and seventh precede the
two Beirams.
Of these the fifth is considered most holy. It is re-
garded as a eight of ineffable and inexplicable myste-
ries. Upon this occasion the sea is supposed to lose
its spline qualities, as a symbol of Almighty purity.
Even Inanimate objects worship the divine essence, and
prayers offered up thereon are more efficacious than
those of any other " one thousand moons."
Although the exact epoch of this august and won-
der-working night has not been revealed to any saint or
prophet, it has been computed to fall upon the :27th of
Ramazan, and is, therefore, celebrated at that period
with extraordinary solemnity. The inside of the
mosques are more than usually illuminated and adorn-
ed. The officiating priests relieve each other in recit-
ing prayers, and the faithful flock in crowds to avail
themselves of the promise) benefits of devotion.
One observance incidental to this mysterious night
is curious, and shows the skill with which the founder
of Islamism, and his expounders, availed themselves of
popular superstition to augment the respect of the
people for the sovereign head of the faith. For in-
stance, it is strictly ordained that all men, of all condi-
tion and degrees, shall abstain from entering the female
apartments (harems) upon these seven nights, under
divers penalties, one of which is, that should any chil-
dren be born in consequence of transgression, they will
be either bump-backed, crooked legged, squint-eyed, or
leprous. An exception is, however, made for the Sul-
tan upon the fifth night only ; and not only an excep-
tion, but it is required that his Imperial Majesty should
attend the Mosque in the evening, accompanied by a
numerous train, bearing lanterns similar to those usually
carried upon wedding feasts. Then, after saying night
prayer, and after witnessing a grand display of fireworks,
it behoves lahn to espouse a damsel selected from among
the Odalisks of the Imperial Harem, or presented to
him for the occasion by the Valid° Sultan, or one o
the Pashas.

If issue result, from this, it is of most excellent au-
gury, and forbodes infinite prosperity to the father,
mother, child, and all' the dynasty. More than one Im-
perial infant is'said to have been ushered into the world
under these favourable auspices, and, on the other
hand, whenever deformed persons are met with, men
and Women blow over their shoulders to avert the evil
eye, and attribute the deformity to parental infraction
of prescribed rules upon " the night of force."
On the two days of Ramazan subsequent to this night
it is customary for the Constantinopolitan ladies to show
themselves, as much as envious veils permit, upon the
square contiguous to the Scraskier's official residence—
the lower and middling classes on foot, and the higher
in various quaint vehicles. Upon Friday and Saturday
last this promenade was crowded. Hundreds of
women, whose round white veiled heads and dark
mantles gave them the appearance of a vast field
of mushrooms, stood upon one side of the drive.
Crowds of men, either issuing from or entering the adja-
cent mosque of Bajaiet, passed to and fro upon the
opposite side, whilst the centre was occupied by strings
of fantastically carved telekas and gilded arabas, co-
vered with scarlet gold-fringed cloth. These vehicles,
drawn by oxen with embroidered head fronts, or by
horses led by grooms, were filled with ladies, lightly but
closely veiled, and with lovely children in dresses, many-
coloured anti chequered as a tulip bed—their head
gear sparkling with pearls, golden talismans and diamond
ornaments, among which the Sultan's toura in brilliants
was frequently to be seen. Here and there some young
beys or bey.zedehs (sons of pachas or gentlemen) for
lowed their parents' carriages, or rode among the crowd
mounted on handsome ponies, and attended by three or
four servants, their red fez and long braided hair glitter-
ing with jewels, or interwoven with pearls. One of the
most conspicuous of these children was the son of the
Persian Ambassador, attired in the costume of his
country, and followed by a train of several servants.
Among the most remarkable " equipages" were those
of the Valide Sultan, consisting of six arabas, five of
which were inclosed with gilded lattices. These vehi-
cles, escorted by several eunuchs and kavasscs, and
followed by a patrol ofinfantry, contained about twenty-
six ladies. In the first was seated the Sultan's youngest
sister, whose hand was sought for in marriage by Seid
Pacha of Egypt. The young Sultana, who is about
ten or eleven years of age, was completely unveiled,
and most gorgeously attired. In addition to the
profusion of diamonds, pearls, and embroidery that
adorned her fez, or were interwoven with her dark
hair, she wore a single white ostrich plume,
symbolic of her rank ; and her attire, or robe of dark
velvet, was trimmed with rich embroidery and diamond
clasps, and encircled by a rich waist shawl. The Prin-
cess though not remarkable for beauty, resembles her
brother the Sultan in the brilliancy of her eyes and the
benevolent expression of her countenance. In a second
araba was seated the Sultan's younger brother, who is
still under his mother's care. He appeared to
be a spirited lad, and to cast an envious look
upon the little hey zadehs who ambled past on their
ponies. This promenade is perhaps one of the most
interesting sights at Stamboul, and is the only occasion
upon which the ladies seem to rule undisputedly over
the city.

On Monday, at daybreak, the Beiram was announced
by salutes from all the batteries and ships, and as soon
the sun had risen " a lance's length" above the horizon,
all the ministers and grand officers of state proceeded
to the Old Seraglio to pay their respects to the Sultan,
who had arrived there from his palace of Beshiktash.
After holding the customary levy, and receiving the
felicitations of the ministers and courtiers, his Imperial
Majesty mounted his horse and proceeded in state to
the mosque of Sultan Achmet, to say the appointed
prayers. The young monarch wore upon this occasion
a new dress of extraordinary magnificence. It consisted
of a hussar jacket braided with diamouds ; of blue trow-
sers richly embroidered, and studded with precious
stones, and of a fez with a superb aigrette of brilliants.
His waist was girded with a sabre jewel-handled, and
clasped with precious stones, and over his shoulders
was suspended the imperial mantle, the collar of
which was studded with brilliants, and held toge-
ther by a, cord' of splendid pearls with diamond
tassels. He rode a dark Chesnut Arab, whose hous-
ings and bridle were so richly adorned as almost
to dazzle the sight. The imperial cortege consisted, as
usual, of all the great officers atrd state functionaries
in rich embroidered uoilornis of- the -corps of Baltaju
(Battle Axe Guard); 'Ogg walked on either side
the Sultan,, their grcien caps surmounted by
enormous pinnies—of ,
multitude of attendants
of all descriptions on foot and on horseback,
poorly clad, and worse mounted, and of the Sul-
'tan's led torsef caparisoned in the most costly man-
ner. The procession, was headed by a squadron
of lancers in new uniforms,
,with their band in state
clothing,' and was closed by a squadron of hussars.
These troops had a very soldier-like appearance. The
infantry of the Imperial Guard formed a double line
from the gate of the Seraglio to that of the Mosque,
and behind these was the densely-crowded population,
crowning every rising ground, and filling every window.
As the Sultan approached, a dead silence, the custo.
wary mark of respect, reigned around, and was only
broken by the simultaneous shouts of the batal-
lions, who hailed their master with the usual salutation
of " Tehok Yasha" (may your days be many). The
Sultan rttntlithl front the Mosque t 3 the Semi iu