The Litchfield County post., 1828-01-03
From the London Morning Herald
CONSTANTINOPLE.


 The Turks treat their slaves with the ut most kindness. In one of their most crow ded places near the Bazaar, my guide ap- peared rather alarmed, and requested me to avoid the slightest contact with any one. A funeral was enclosed in plain wooden box, with turban protruding at one end. I of course, crossed the Bosphorus, and vi- sited Scutari, the site of the ancient Scuta- ri, at the period of the departure of the Mecca caravan, but was much disapoint- ed as there were no camels: the caravan consisted of long line of horses and mules, laden with provisions. .arms, ,and bag gage; altogether more resembling tribe of gypsies moving from one common to a. mother, than what had conceived of an oriental caravan. The pilgrims were ac- companied by their friends during the first stage; the day was fine, and numerous families were permitted to breath the fresh air, and see the show. I was much struck with the appearance of the black slaves, the small part of their face that was visible formed a ludicrous contrast with the white cloth in which the head was mffied; the ground was kept by detachment of in- fantry, and as was gazing at the motley scene, the commanding officer addressed my attendant in furious tone, won- dering that he should have the impudence to bring Giaour' or in6del, where there were Turkish women, ,and insisted that we should immediately leave the place--an order, which, fcourse, we promptly com piled with; but neither the officer, nor any of the by-standers ventured to'cast an an- gry look at such an innocent offender as myself, we'll Knowing that my guide alone was in fault. At Scutari there is a con- vent of Dervishes, and on two days of the week there is religious exhibition of the most extraordinary nature, in some meas ure resembling the mysteries ofthe Priests of Baal, as described in Holy Writ. Cir cumstances. unfortunately prevented my witnessing these singular but revOlting cer- en,onies however, was at the scene ei action, and saw specimen of Mabomed- an devotion the congregation was sitting cross legged, asusual, chanting their pray CTS, and making repeated saiams, or pros trations, touching the floor with their lips The principal actor in this scene was ar enthusiast, of thefrst class. This man. { calm and quiet worshiper at first, gradual. ly worked himselfinto frenzy, and soor became quite frantic; the violence of hi gestures and motions was quite extraordin ary, and his appearance terrific he wa evidently deyotee ofsome peculiar orde as he was thesonly Mahometan ever saw with long bushy hair. intead of turban Scutari is surrounded by extensive buria grounds. The Mahometans have the pre- possessions in favor of this place, as the dis sentersin England have for Bunhill-felds and as Scutari is just beyond the boundar. ! of Christian Europe, they consider a nor holy and more privileged spot for thu purposes of interment:@ The Bosphorus here about mile and half across ,and be ing the only outlet for the waters of tn Black Sea, is exceedingly deep and rapid The view from Leander's tower, Ia castl built on the Asiatic side,) is highly beau tiful. The whole of Constantinople@ an