The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-19 00:00:00

TURKEY.

MEVLOOD, OR PROPIIETS BIRTH-PAY.
CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 27.—Although this cere-
mony is closely connected with the first source of
Mussulman belief, it may be regarded rather as a
civil court pageantry than as a general religious fes-
tival. With the exception of its being one of the

three days upon which the Sultan annually proceeds
in state to the Mosque of Achmet, and of salutes
being fired at the hours of prayer, it is not distin-
guished by any public signs of devotion or respect.
Business is not suspended, shops are not closed, work
is performed as usual ; no special prayers are offered
up during the day at the ordinary mosques, and
it is not regarded as a holiday by the common
people, as is the case at Beiram. The preceding night
is, however, included among the seven holy nights
dedicated to the great mysteries .of Islam, during
which the mosques are illuminated within and with-
, out, and the faithful, summoned by the shouts of the
Muezims, crowd to the temples after dark to perform
their devotions in lieu of saying the prescribed night
prayer in their houses or elsewhere. Attendance at
the mosque is not enjoined by the canonical code, but
I orthodox Mussulmans hold it to be more meritorious

to maintain the observance. Y Upon this night, called
Leily ul Mevloody, as upon the other six mystic
nights, it is also considered ;praiseworthy to abstain
from all sensual gratifications. Thus few true be-
lievers, not excepting the Sultan, pass the threshold
of their harems from sunset until dawn. Indeed, it is
a received opinion that all children born in conse-
quence of the transgression, will come into the world
as blind as bats, and go out of it as humpbacked as
camels, and be subjected, moreover, to leprosy, rickets,
and divers other bodily afflictions.
Nearly a thousand years elapsed after Mahomet's
birth (A.D. 596), without either caliph or sultan
having thought proper to institute any peculiar pa-
geant or outward ceremony to commemorate the an-
niversary. No inquisition or allusions to that effect
are to be found in the Koran or sacred writings.

Thence, perhaps, the omissions In fact, many ultra
rigid Musselmans consider the practice not only as a
work of supererogation, but as mundane and unor-
thodox. It was not until the year 1558, that is
133 yearS after the conquest of Constantinople,
and in. the 99Gth year of the Hegira, that Sultan
Mourad 111. first ordained the celebration of special
prayers in all the imperial mosques, and a public
,mperial procession in order to record and do ho-
nour to the Prophet's nativity. This event, so preg-
nant with important religions and political changes,
took place on the 12th of the month Rebi-ui-evei,
corresponding this year with. the 23d of April. The
day is thence called Mevlood (the nativity). Thence
also the hymn in Turkish verse composed by a devout
sheik in Sultan Mourad's time, and directed to be
chaunted in the privileged-mosques, is termed Mev-
loodich, or song of nativity., . •
This hymn is far inferior, however, in beauty and
solemnity, to the celebrated Borda, or Arabic " poem
of the mantle " written in praise of the Almighty
and of the Prophet's immortal glory, by one of his
disciples, Kish Ibna Shoeir. The Borda was thus
designated because Mahomet rewarded the author
by bestowing and placiiig upon his shoulder a
coarse camlet cloak long worn by himself: This
cloak, called Bourdeh Sherif was, it is asserted, preserved
by the descendants of Dm Shoeir, until, it was pur-
chased for an immense sum by one of the early
Caliphs, and- eventually passed into the possession of
the Ottoman dynasty, by whom it was removed from
Cairo to Constantinople. It is now preserved with
rigid care and veneration in an apartment or chapel
of the great 'seraglio called the " member of the
holy month " among other precious relics of the
Prophet, such as the holy banner (sandjiak sheriff),
one of the four teeth lost by Mahomet at the battle
of Bedr, a portion of his beard, and the impression of
hit foot upon a stone. Thse relics are forbidden to
be exhibited to unbelievers'lvjKt obtain firmans to
visit the great seraglio. They are only disclosed to
the Sultan and grand functionaries of the empire
upon the 15th day of Ramazan, and this with exceed-
:ng caution and ceremony. , -
It is the Kislar Aghassi also, in the character of
Inspector or 'Treasurer-General of the Holy Cities
(liaremain 'ush sheryfain Naziry), who is deputed to
deliver into the !Sultan's hands the reply of the
Sherif of Mecca to the complimentary letter annually
addressed to the latter by his Imperial Majesty. This
letter is entrusted to the chief conductor (Surreh
Emini) of the caravan of pilgrims, who invariably
leaves Constantinople upon the 12th of Regieb, and
conveys the Sultan's presents to the holy cities. The
time usually required for the pilgrimage is about six
months, but as delays and accidents frequently occur,
the Sherif's answer is forwarded from Damascus by a
special messenger, called:Mouhedshi Bashi (Harbinger
of Peace), who is required to reach Constantinople in
time for the ceremony of the Mevlood, that is within
seven lunar months from the day of the caravan's de-
parture from .Stamboul.
As the Mussulman day commences with sun-set, its
last rays had scarcely disappeared behind the heights
of Daoud Pacha, now crowned with thegreen tents of
the numerous battalions encamped around the barracks,
ere a salute from all the ships and batteries announced
night. . Shortly, also, the
clusters
entwine the circular galleries of
the approaching
of lampsthhatoly
the minarets on both sides of the harbour and Bos-
phorus, were gradually lighted, and sparkled like
groups of stars in the darkness ; the imperial mosques
of St. Sofia, Achmet, Mahomet, Soliman, Osman,
the Princes, the Sultan Mother, and others, being
distinguished from the rest not only by their command-
ing position, but by their double and treple illumi-
nated galleries, whence the Muezim chant forth the
call to prayer. The front of the Imperial Cannon-
?sate, at Seraglio point, those of the Arsenal and
Custom-house, those of Sultana's and Pacha's pa-
aces,' and of all . public buildings, being likewise
adorned with illuminated festoons and devices, sur-
rounded with transparencies, formed a scattered but
pleasing spectacle, when seen.from the water, or from
the summit of the adjacent
.eminences. During the
Beiram and Ramazan, it is customary to connect the
minaret . galleries of the imperial mosques with fes-
toons .of lamps suspended to ropes, which, from their
anging in the shape of half-moons, the points up-
wards, are called Mahizeh (moon Crescents), but this
extraordinary illumination is omitted at Alevlood.
The dawn of the festival was ushered in with sa-
lutes similar to those that announced the close of the
previous day. Then all was hustle and movement
throughout the vast city find its suburbs. The
bums and trumpets of the immense garrison and nu-
merous fleet, mingling with the' voices of the 3luezems,
;ummoned the soldiers to arms and the pious to their de-
votions. Kaiks -belonging to Ptichas and public pe -
sons, and heavier boats laden
.with troops of all arms,
;lided across the harbour and Bosphorus from Scutari
ind other adjacent villages. Led horses, clothed
with rich housings thronged the streets, and the popu-
lation, especially the female portion, thronged to-
wards the points through which the procession usually
passes on its way from the Imperial Seraglio gate,
near. St. Sofia, to the square of the Al Maidan. This
augmented by the double line of guards,
fornnowedd,
u
>led a sea of heads, and the portions allotted to, or
cp on either side of the narrow streets, resem-
taken poSsession of by, the women might be com-
?ared to the white foam upon the waters, from the
waving to and fro of their snow-white veils. Right
;gravely do these ladies cause themselves and their
places to be respected. Woe to the individual, Mos-
lem:heir places,
or Ghiaour their attempts to encroach upon
even hands are not wanting ight. Tongues and
there to punish offenders.
or impede their ' s
This was exemplied, in one instance, by two or three
elderly dames unmercifully buffetting some marine
soldiers, who attempted to force a passage through their
party, and in another by a Frank gentleman and his wife
receiving most unpleasant hints of noli me tangere from
some younger ladies: Both had the satisfaction to
" eat" a most indigestible dose of thumps and pinches
rbr a similar offence. In London, they would most
probably have met with harsher treatment than this,
and with the loss of watch and purse as a compensa-
tion. But these samples of female rigour were not
limited to intruders. In a corner near the Al Maidan
a feud arose between two ladies of " colour," sturdy
damsels, whose white yashmaks formed a striking
contrast to the jet black cheeks and noses that peered
through their folds. After causing each other to de,
your an abundance of filth, they threw off their
feridjee (mantles), 3/24 fell to work with their hands,
after such a fashion as would hay,c clone honour to the
great Mendoza. The combat of tlese two black
tigress seemed to afford so much amusement to the
spectators ofboth sexes, that no one interfered ; until
at last a kavass (police .sfargeasit) stepped forward and
interposed an olive branch un4er tie shape of a bots
falo s hide, courbash. This he alministe, rgsl Risen
their shoulders in the most unsparing manner, and at
length succeeded in producing a truce.
At Beiram it is customary for the Sultan to pro-
ceed to the mosque' in time for first- or drawn prayer,
but the festival of the Mevlood being of human and
not .of divine institution, regular pryers ilre not per-

formed.,. The propitious moment for the ceremony !, senger and first Chamberlain silently step forward, and
is selected between the morning and mid-day prayers. proceed with the Reis Effendi to the seat of the Kislar
the one said to have been first practised by Adam, and Aghassi. The latter then takes the letter from the hands
the other by Abraham. The Sultan therefore quitted of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and ascending the
his palace of Beshiktash, after performing his devo ,tairs of the Sultan's gallery, presents it to the Sovereign,
tions privately, and then proceeded incognito in his who breaks the seal, and reads the contents. Having
small fourteen oared haik to the gate at Seraglio point, done so, his Imperial Majesty returns it to the Kislar
whence he ascended to the hall of audience. Here his Aghassi, who re-delivers- it to the Reis Effendi, by
imperial Majesty held a levee, to which were admitted whom it is placed in the archives of his department,
the vizier, moufti, grand dignitaries of state, and all or rather in that of the State Paper-office. At this
persons entitled to the privileges of the rikhiah, kissing moment dresses of honour, or equivalent presents of
hands, or more properly speaking, slippers, the same great value, are given by the Sultan to the Chief of
honour being paid to the Sultan's foot by Moslems, as the Eunuchs, who, in his turn, present similar gifts to
to that of his Holiness at Rome by Catholics. Each the bearer of the letter, to the singers of the Mevloo-
individual having made his obeisance in the prescribed dick, to the Reis Effendi, and other persons who as-
form, by doing homage on both knees, and touching the sisted in bearing the letter to the foot of the Royal
imperial slipper with his forehead, they withdrew, and gallery. This being done, and the Mevloodich being
mounting their horses, left in the outer court, placed terminated, the whole assembly resume their seats,
themselves in their proper places in the procession. and following the voice of one of the Imams, recite a
Those of inferior rank in front, and those of higher short prayer with which the church ceremony closes.
grade nearest the Imperial person, which is alway im- The whole of the vast multitude then retire in si-
mediately preceded by the Vizir, Sheik-ui-Islam, and lence, and resume their places in the procession. The
capitan pacha, and followed by the master of the horse Sultan, when all are mounted, descends from his
and kislar aghassi. The grand marshal Reza Pacha, gallery, and in a short time the gorgeous cavalcade
having announced that all was prepared, the. Sultan returns to the seraglio nearly in the same order as
descended inio the first court, and being assisted to that pointed cut for its passage to the Mosque
mount his charger by the master of the horse, the
bands struck up the Imperial march, composed for the
late Sultan by the sbrother of the celebrated Donizetti,
who is director of the Padischah's music. The pro-
cession then commenced to file through the different
courts, and thence under the great gate of the old
Seraglio, contiguous to Santa Sofia.
The procession of the Mevlood differs in so few
respects from that of the Beiram, that a repetition
would be superfluous. It is necessary to observe,
however, that according to the injunctions of Sultan
Mourad, the founder, it was directed that the dresses
worn by all persons should be less brilliant than those
exhibited at Beiram. Consequently, although the
Pachas and others appeared in their full dress coats,
and with trappings and housings not to be surpassed
in splendour, the attire of the Sultan was less gor-
geous than that worn by him at Beiram. Thus, in
lieu of a Dolman braided with diamonds his Imperial
Majesty wore a blue and military coat, richly em-
broidered with gold sprigs. But the same invaluable
Nishan Was suspended from his neck—diamonds of
equal lustre adorned the collar of the Imperial mantle,
and the housings of his dark bay horse were equally
resplendent with pearls and precious gems. The
Sultan appeared to be in good health, and the lustre
of his dark full eye was no less piercing than upon the
last occasion, when he attracted the admiration of his
female subjects and the pride of the male population.
It is not considered etiquette for the Sovereign to bow
or return salutes. The only permitted mode of re-
cognition, and this generally towards Franks, is by
gazing at them as he passes, and keeping his eyes
fixed upon their faces, without turning his own head.
This produces a very singular effect, and is not easily
fdrgotten by those who have encountered this gaze—
full, piercing., and commanding, yet gentle and com-
placent in the extreme.
We will pass over the procession, therefore, which
only differed from that of Beiram in the above respect,
and from the royal escort being composed of infantry
and cavalry, and proceed to the mosque, where the
ceremonies appointed for the day are of a mixed civil
and religious character. Upon reaching the gate
leading into the square enclosed court opposite the
grand entrance, all present dismount, and entering,
take the places assigned to them by the master of the
ceremonies, under the superintendence of the kislar
aghassi, whose place is upon a raised cushion near
the small stair whio conduct to the Sultan's gallery.
The positions occupied by some of the higher func-
tionaries is nearly as follows :—ln front of the altar or
niche in the wall, showing the direction of Mecca, are
two elevated stools or cushions for the Grand Vizier
and Sheik-ul-Islam ; and to the right of these are
other cuhsions somewhat further hack, for the Capitan
Pacha, Minister of Finance, and Seraskier, who sit
in the place formerly occupied by the Agha of the
Jannisaries. Behind the Minister of Finance, and
directly under the Sultan's gallery, are seated the
whole body of scribes and principal civil clerks, named
" khodjakean," each placed from left to right, accord-
ing to his rank, upon small praying carpets called
thramler. On the opposite or left side of the Sheik-
ul-Islam, carpets are also spread for the ullemahs of
the first rank ; such, for instance, as the hekim Bashi
(chief physician), the kade esker (grand judges) of
Roumelia and Anatolia, the Stamboul effendessi
(mayor of Constantinople), the chief magistrates of
Galata and Tophana, and some others. This first line
is continued immediately under the pulpit of the'
preachers, privileged to recite certain prayers in the
Sebath. Behind this line runs that of the several class
of ullemahs. Behind these, again, are placed the
teachers of colleges and lawyers of different grades,
all designated by the title of muderiss.
Between the first and second lines of ullemahs,
opposite the imperial gallery, carpets are placed for
the reis effendi and sera mushir (marshal of the
palace) ; and to the right of these are also seated the
members of the grand council of state, amongst whom
are the Sultan's two brothers-in-law' Halil and Felch
Achmet Paella, both destined, ere long, most pro-
bably, to rise to higher functions. The former is re-
markable for his handsome features, a gift of nature,
for which he was indebted to the favours showered
upon him by Sultan Mahmoud, and his consequent
elevation from a common Circassian slave, to be the
husband of the Sultan's beautiful daughter, Saleheh
Sultana. •
Upon this occasion the chief of the emirs, or Pro-
phet's kin, 'and who is one of the highest ullemahs,
receives distinguished honours. He is seated upon
a green cushion of state, under a species of green
canopy, close to the pulpit of the sheiks, or first
preachers, the deans of the cathedral. He is attired
in his green caftan and head shawl, and is guarded
by a body of Cavass, all Prophet's kin, and likewise
distinguished by green ornaments and shawls twisted
round their fez. It would occupy too much space to
describe the remainder of the immense number of
civil, military, and ecclesiastical persons who fill the
body of this vast edifice, and who are divided from
the multitude of spectators by two lines of Hademeh
(body guards) and by the Tchaoush (sergeants) of
the Imperial police.
Before the Sultan reaches the mosque each person
is seated ; therefore, immediately upon his Imperial
Majesty ascending the private back stairs conducting
to his gallery, the lattices are thrown open, and the
whole assembly rise. The Grand Vizier and Sheik-ul-
Islam step forward and bow to the Sovereign. The
whole assembly make a similar obeisance, and the
lattices being again closed, all re-seat themselves,
and the ceremony commences. This consists, firstly,
of an oration or eulogium of the Prophet, divided into
three parts. The first portion upon this occasion was
delivered from the pulpit called Kursee, by the Sheik
of St. Sofia, who takes precedence of all others, and
may he considered as the (metropolitan ; the second
was recited by the Sheik of Achmet, and the third
by the Sheik of Nouri Osmanich (the light of Os-
mar), whose turn it was to perform this duty. In
the middle of this portion of this panegyrical dis-
course, and not between the intervals, the two senior
Capidgi Basshi (Chamberlains of the Household) pre-
sent to the Sultan a vase and ewer filled with rose-
water, which the one pours over his hands, whilst
other offers a richly embroidered towel, and then the
two other chamberlains wave before him cassolets
of silver filled also with burning aloe wood. At the
same time a number of tchokadar basshi (grooms of
the chamber) step forward with similar ewers and
cassolets, and offer rose water and perfumes to the
Vizier, and all the ullemahs sand dignitaries. When
each sheik has terminated his portion of the eulogium,
he descends from the Kursee, and is met by officers
(eunuchs) attached to the siklar aghassi, who com-
pliment him, and present him with a pelisse of honour
lined with rich furs, and a purse of gold.
This being ended, the muezims of the mosque,
who occupy the lofty gallery allotted to them on the
southern side of the great dome, chaunt forth a hymn
of praise to the prophet. When they have finished,
a body of other singers, stationed in a species of move-
able pulpit, recite in chorus the psalms or prayers
selected for the occasion ; and this being ended, the
Mevlood-Khananbir ascend this pulpit and recite the
Mevloodich. In the midst of this the Hademeh, who
perform the duties of the ancient battle-axe guard at-
tired in their green and gold uniforms and state caps,
surmounted with immense plumes, set aside their
axes and advance with a number of trays, some
covered with a variety of sweetmeats and preserves of
the rarest kinds in baskets and chrystal vases, and
others laden with bowls of the finest sherbets in sea-
son. Two of these trays are then placed before each
of the grand dignitaries and first rank of ullemahs.
These trays are afterwards carried with their contents
by the servants of the Mosque to the respective abodes
of those to whom they are presented. Similar trays
of exquisite form and immense size are likewise offered
by the ldslar aghassi to the Sultan, :to whom they
are presented by the first officer of the:seraglio. The
latter are then conveyed to the palace, and are destined
to be distributed to the seven kadins (or wives), or
to such favourites as the Sultan may choose to dis-
tinguish. Those gifts are said to excite nearly as
much jealousy and satisfaction as the portions of lamb
or mutton distributed at Beiram.
It is during the chaunting of the Mevloodich, at the
moment when the Prophet name is first pronounced,
that the " Harbinger of Peace," who holds himself in
readiness near the foot of the imperial gallery, steps
forward with the Scherirs letter, which he holds up
in its- embroidered green cover above his head. At
this signal the whole assembly arise in silence—not a
breath is heard but the deep-toned voice of the offi-
ciating Mevlood lihanan. _l'he first secretary of the
Gram Vieier then advances towards the hearer of the
letter, and beckons him to approach. The latter obeys,
and passing to the side of the Vizier, delivers his all-
precious charge into his hands, which the Vizier re-
spectfully receives, and then hands it over to the Reis
Effendi. A pause then ensues, during which the
Grand Marshal and Master of Ceremonies, the Mes-

CRITICAL RETROSPECT of the MASQUE.
Congratulatory introduction to Her Majesty's Birth-day
braving-room, with a, complete List of the Company—the
Duke of Devonshire—the Royal Visit—the Horticultural Fete
—the Duke of Wellington's Ball—the approaching Epsom
Races, &c. &c. The only Exclusive and Correct Particulars
of the above, and all events connected with the Fashionable
World, will be found in the COURT JOURNAL of SATtrit•
DAY NEXT, May 21. The -eaf e r forwarded by all Booksellers
and Newsmen postage free.
W. THOMAS, Publisher, 19, Catherine-street, Strand.

NEW NOVEL BY MRS. GORE.
Just ready; is 3 vols. post Bve.,
911: IIE AMBASSADOR'S WIFE.
11 By the Author of
" The Dowager," " Mothers and Daughters," &c.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street.

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THE WEATHER.—ICOON, MAY 19.
ROYAL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-STREET.
Thermometer .... 53 Highest 6B Lowest 42
Barometer 29.89.—Wind S.W.

HIOH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY.
horning 59 minutes after S ► Evening 45 minutes after 9.

.• cl.* 4
•r.