Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-05

his aunts,, and cousins. When new ooverelg"
ascends the throne, his mother, one OF the seven
Kadines, is then called Valide, Sultana, and pos,
sesses, from that moment, great influence IN all
the affairs of State.
Sultan Malmoud is characterized oy nooie
and imposing air. and by an attractive phlslog-
nomy. He visits some one of the Moschs eve
nv Friday, to pray. On the occasions here no
,iced. the uageanlry of the Orientals was exhioi-
ted. in the magni6cence of his dress, and the
numbers of his suite He was attended by
some of the Ministers, the Utend, his pages,
white and black eunuchs, by the 6ostangy koy-
al guard,) the perks (body guard,) armed win
bows and arrows, and wearing large casque
with flowing white plumes, by the Solafs, wear
ing pointed and gilt casques, and carrying
habert, and by numerous band OF Janissafies'
A part of this suite preceded him, some having
sweet perfumes, and bearing the utensils o.
ceremony; others lead nine beautiful ARABIAN
horses, superbly caparisoned with harness thai
was covered with gold, and studded with pearls
and diamonds. Then followed two pages who
bore each turban of the Sultan, which the
Turks approached and saluted with as profound
respect as they would pay to the Sultan HIM
self. The rest of the suite surrounded the
Sovereign, who was mounted, and IN
costume sufficiently simple, excepting plume
of large diamonds. This ceremony must be
performed by the Sultan, being the kalll ana
Chief Imam, however much he may be lndis-
posed. The author Of this sketch was INFORM
ed bya credible person, that Sultan, some
wears since, expired on his horse, while pro-
ceedine to the Mosque, having been previously
very i'll, but was compelled 10 obey this law
The people generally avail of these occa-
sions to express their discomfort. The author
has also seen this monarch in the midst OF his
train, at the Champ d'ok Meidan He was pres
ent as the grand master of the archers, IN whose
exercise he takes grea. delight, and even pre-
fers i, to the chase. The Sultans pages con-
stitute the greatest number of this corps, and
in the Serial they very frequently employ them
selves in arching.
The plague otten.ravages this country. Con-
flagrations occur frequently, and, IN gene
raj, arise fromI the discomfort OF the people.
The law requires the Grand Seigneur 10 assist
on these occasions Many thousands OF houses
are usually consumed Aid and e&ertlons are
not wanting, it is true; but they are either too
late, or become Intellectual.
The Greeks, Armenians, and Jews constitute
numerous population. The richest OF the
Greeks, by intrigues and great sacrifices, man
age to retire into the rinc'paities Of Wallachla
and Moloavia, leaving commerce to other less
fortunate persons Of their nation. The Armenl-
mans, who are faithful and obedient subjects,
amass large fortunes. They en- Joy the conf
dence of ministers and the Turkish lords, who
make them their sarrajS, or bankers, and com
nit 10 them their affairs These Armenians
have also the casting of gold and silver coin at
the State mint. The Jews, who are always
commercial and active, are employed by the
Government in the service of the customs.
The European ambassadors, the Greek sign
ors, and the best families of the suburbs of Pc
ra, reside, during the pleasant season, in their
country houses at Terrapia and Buelukdere,
two considerable villages situated on the left
bank of the bay formed by the Bosphorus, near
the Black Sea-
The facilities afforded to commerce in this
country require, perhaps, no extension. A
short residence in Constantinople, Of three
weeks, have furnished the few nolices OF that
city which have been here made.