The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-12-17
THE SACRED STANDARD.

sacred standard to the head quarters of the
Moslem army.
On the preceding evening the whole city
was in motion; soldiers of all descriptions, !
the innumerable servants of the seraglio,
followed by prodigious train of camels
and mules, loaded, to the utmost of their
strength to support the burden, with ammu-
milton and provisions. At sunrise of the
10Th, the city was aroused 10y the clang of
drums and martial music in all its quar-
tiers. The road from the seraglio to the
outer gate was filled with an impenetrable
crowd composed in great degree of wo-
men-a singular phenomenon in CONSTANT
nople. At 6 o'clock the first column of In
tantry was put in motion, and it was speedily
followed by second, of about 5000 men
other troops succeeded. In the mean time
the sacred men of the law, Ulemas, the
ministers of state, and all other functional
ries, proceeded to the seraglio to offer their
dutiful attendance to his Sublime Highness.
The -Ulemas, in the splendid tnrbans pc
cullar to their order, the other ministers of
all classes, armed with sabres and pistols,
and wearing white shawls on their heads,
and scarlet upper coats, and several car
riages with ladies, accompanied the pa
geant, and the roofs ofthe houses were COW
cred with spectators.
A burst of music was now heard, and
| hundred camels, richly caparsoned, were
seen advancing, led by Asiatics, singing,
with apparent enthusiasm, the war songs of
the Arabs. Next followed train of Agas
and inferior officers, which was closed by
body of from 3 to 400 Muderries and Ule-
mas.
Behind body of Meimis, Emirs, Mufts,
Kadis, &C., was superb carriage, bearing
the case of the Sacred Standard. The
Standard Of the Prophet" was itself horne
in the hand of the Chief of the Emirs,
whose office it is to guard the palladium,
and who rode on horseback. The standard
seems to be of small size; it was covered
with green silk; it was surrounded by IL
singers hymning glory to the Prophet, and
as many pages, finging over it the most
costly perfumes.
| Immediately after followed the Sultan in
person, dressed with great simplicity. He
wore a white shawl over his head. and a
scarlet surcoat. He had no guard in i'm
mediate attendance upon his person. but
he was followed at some distance by about
1000 infantry and $500 cavalry, regular
| troops, all trained to the new tactics by the
Monarch himself At IL O'Clock of the day
| the Sultan arrived at the barrack
| Since the 18th ult an immense quantity
OF troops, cannon, aud ammunition, is inces-
sanity pouring in upon the camp. 1t is said
that the Sultan will set out for Adrianople
! PROCESSION OF THE GRAND SIGNIoR TO
THE MOSQUE OF SULTAN AcHMET.
Extract from private letter, dated Constan-
timopte, august a.
81 must give you a sketch of the Sultan
going to the mosque of the Sultan Achmet,
which is, perhaps, the finest exhibition of
Oriental pomp that can be witnessed in
this country. 1t has been the season of the
"Courban Bairam," festival gay among
4 the Turks, to celebrate the arrival of the
| pilgrims from Mecca. 1t is announced by
the roar of artillery at midnight; the min
arats of the mosques are illuminated, and
the whole city has the most imposing effect.
AT day break the procession began; the
avenues, for a great distance, were lined
with troops, looking as fierce as scimtar and
turban could make them. The different
officers OF the palace began their march, in
the richest costumes, and with the finest
Arab horses, splendidly caparisoned. Then
came the ministers of the Court and the
Dlvan, their horses led by numerous slaves
the gravity of their march, and the gilt
terlng pageantry of the procession, afforded
a most amusing contrast; then came the
Grand Vizier, with almost royal pomp,
since he assimilates somewhat to his Impe-
rial Lord: he was surrounded by numerous
slaves, thronging him so closely, that |
could scarcely see his horse or his head +;
instead of turban, he wore white conical
cap, very high; his pelisse was superb.
When this wonder was all over, the band
struck up a slow and solemn tune, more
like funeral dirge than a military march /;
and 10, and behold, in most imposing state,
seated on a splendid Arab, covered with
glltterlng ornaments, appeared the "Shad-
ow OF God, Brother of the Sun and Moon"
-" Disposer of earthly crowns" in the au-
gust person of Mahmoud the Great. | think
never saw so fine man of years about
forty live, of stature above the common
height, and of countenance the most strik-
ing: In his turban he wore small heron
plume, studded diamonds, buckled up with
a large diamond rose, and on each side of
his Peisse, which was green, being the
royal color, handed down'by the Prophet,
was a large patch covered with precious
stones, rs was the hilt of his scimitar. the
whole formed regular galaxy; his horse
was led by his Capidjee "Bach," or first
gentleman: two or three hundred slaves
surrounded him, which, with their sable
faces and white turbans, had very impos-
ing effect then came the pages of his
court with large helmets and widespread
ing heron pumcs; with these they endeav-
ored to conceal the Imperial Presence as
much as possible from the vulgar gaze.
Thus, IN sovereign state, passed on the
great Mahmoud to the mosque, followed nv
long train of the "KisIar Aga" or grand
eunuchs, and numerous Arnbs. anlendidlu