Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-15

nuSinR account Oh tniS young VaSeheT 10 HoHi
the Portsmouth Journal Probably that part
which relates to his reception at an eastern
college, is highly coloured.
YOUNG TURK.
1.-THE Saco Palladium s,a,es that there has
been in that village for several days past, a
young Turk who says he was born al Danas-
Gus in Asia, calls himself A bduliah Moham-
rned, and is about IS years old His mo,her
was a German woman, whom his father, for
mrrly in the army Of the Sultan, had married.
He has a brother merchant Il Damascus,
who trades by caravans with Smyrna Abdul
lah sa lied from Smyrna about eight months
since as clerk Of vessel commanded by a
Greek bound TO 81. Barts, WI. A citizen
Of Saco who has been often al that Island, ask
cd Abdullah If he had heard the name Of any
merchant at ST. Barts, (where he did not ar
rive,) he mentioned the name OF Greek, well
known to hi, citizens as trader to Smyrna.
The vessel was taken by pirates, and Abdulah
and another youth were set adrift in a boat;
afterwards taken up by an English vessel and
carried 10 Quebec. His companion died al
ST. Mary (oa The Chaudiere while they were
travelling towards Maine. His familiarity with
the Arabic and Persian WAS sa,isfac torily tesred
by gentleman skilled in the Oriental language
estly asked for a little assistance on his way
from those who conversed with him He dis
covers anxiety to return TO his native country
and for that purpose is travelling to Boston,
that he may there find passage.-He is ri
gid Mahometan expresses boldly his opinion
OF christians, and their religion, which of
course is noi favorable, but SEEMS grateful Tor
the kindness he has received lIDm .hetn. He
refuses to eat with us, taking his food alone,
and abstaiuing, like true Mussulman, from
the use of pork.
:" We recollect Of reading in the papers, 3
or years ago an account OF a Turk who OLE
story nearly similar 10 the one told by Alb
dullah, who by he way, we believe calls him.
self Persian. Whether an impostor or not,
he is 6ue fellow, aud deserves encouraeeme
for his scholarship if for nothing more. He
spe ks Latin ithe only language he can use,
that is understood BY scholars among us) wi h
considerable huency, and with a RI, hness and
mag ihcence Of pronunc iation both OF the VOW
els and consonants, which We should hike 10
see adopted IN our Colleges and Academies
Abdullah like TIE rest Of his countrvmen is
DISPOSED to take little opium now and then,
which makes his Latin drag RAJ her heavily.
We do rot however believe he is an impostor,
though some among US call him downright,
e.
a rogue he plays his part well but his story is
so connected; his account Of his own country
SO saiisfac,or and his knowledge of Persian
history and OF Eastern manners so clear, that
we are led to b lieye he is what he pre,ends TO
be; or to say he less', he must have been in
Persia, and have received good education
somewhere. Portland Gazette.
The above named Ahdulah Mohammed,
was in This town The later part of last week -
He seems, from the above extract from the
Portland Advertiser, to have attracted large
share Of the Interest and attention OF the wise
men Of the East SO much SO, that have no
doubt our friends this side OF the kennebec
will be highly gratifird to learn few additional
particulars respecting the genealogy and adj
ventures OF Abdullah, which were not commu-
nicated TO them.
Abdullah appeared here under very favour.
able auspices-having with him printed pa
per, one corner Of which was garnished with
several lines in manuscript, having the general
appearance of the Eastern printed character,
and stating in English, the outlines Of his histo
ry-his Lirth-capture by the pirates, escape,
SC. and ano,her paper, bearing the names Of
the members of the Senior Class, al the Oldest
and most distinguished literary institution this
side Mount Katadin and stating, that the a
foresaid Seniors at College, had had sew
eral conversations wit the bearer Of il, Abdul>
lab Mohammed, whom they had discovered 10
be a young man Of uncommon intelligence, and
strong natural lalehts-lhat he eonvcrsed In
the Latin language with great elegance and
proprie,y-thai ne was intimately acquainted
with the geography and history Of Modern
Turkey-that he was, as they had been inform
ed by those who were comptteht to Judge,
familiar with the Arabic and other Eastern
languages-and concluded BY recommending
him to the sympathies Of q generous public
We had also, among other certificates, one
from Zebulon r. Shepherd, which stated that
Abduilah he Turk, spoke the Latin language
with create, facility aud Correctness, than any
other person the aforesaid Zebuion had con-
sersed with in this country.
Such an array Of authority should have screen
ed Abduliah from all susplcion-bu, here, as he
af,erw arfis said he had been elsewhere, he was