The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-06-16
THE FATAL REQUEST.

justly remarks that superstition and cruelty
will, generally, if not always, be found insepa-
rable companions" He adds; that it will af.
ford some satisfaction to the phHanthropic, to
know that the Sultan +" is gradually throwing
of the trammels of superstition, and will proba-
bly, introduce policy more enlightened than
that which has SO long obscured and blackened
the character of the Turks
A distinguished German traveller, who
spent considerable time il Constantinople.
about four years ago, received very kind
treatment from the Sultan. All the rites of
hospitality, and all the Offices of friendship,
were bestowed with a spirit of frankness
and cordially of feeling, which would do
honor to the most enlightened Christian rul-
er. Nothing was omitted by the Sultan
which would contribute to the comfort and
happiness of the traveller or enrich his
store OF information on the various subjects
to which his researches were directed And,
as gratitude is one of the most pleasing
emotions that warm the human bosom, ia
vors so distinguished, from the Sultan, did
not fail to awaken in the heart of the Ger
man, the most grateful sentiments.
After the traveller had finished his ORR
entail tour, and returned again TO Germany,
he was DESTROYS of transmitting to the Sui
tan, some tokens of affectionate remem-
b.ance for the polite and generous attic n
tons he had received. But it is a principle
with the Turks, when they receive pres
ent, always to return one equal in value,
and often far sunerier. This principle, the
German wished TO evade-he did not wish
to send present of the value of one or two
hundred dollars to one to whom he was under
so many obligations, and receive one in re-
turn OF much greater worth. He had made
arrangements TO send his present by an
Englishman, who commanded brig then
in one of the ports of the Baltic, and which
was bound to the Black Sea. The German
enjoined it upon the bearer of his present
not to receive present in return from the
Sultan.
When the English Captain arrived at
Constantlnople, after an interview with the
Refs Efendi,* he was introduced to the Sui
tan, to whom, by an interpreter, he commu-
nlcated his message from the German tray
eller. But SO fixed is the sentiment in the
mind of a Turk, that presents must be re-
ciproc Gated, that the Sultan appeared hardly
to understand it as thing possible, to re-
ceive the gift of his distant friend without
making splendid return. But after fur
Their explanation, adverting to the many ia
vors the German had formerly received at
the hands Of the Sultan, he consented to ac-
cept the present, not however, without in
sisting that the Captain who had brought it
should receive one on his own account, if
he could not receive one to carry back to
the German. The Sultan was then inform
ed that the Captain had been rewarded for
bringing the present, by him who sent it,
still, he could not be satisfied without max
ing some return to the Captain.
AS the Sultan seemed to be determined
that the Captain should have some remu-
neration, the latter requested as a very i'm
portant favor, to see the favorite wife, or
one of the favorite wives of the Sultan.
With much apparent willingness the re-
quest was granted; and female was soon
introduced into their presence, her face en-
tirely concealed by veil, and she approach
ed the Sultan and kneeled He extended
his hand and took hers, and with his other
hand raised her veil. AS her eyes fell on
the Englishman her countenance changed
and her whole frame trembled. This to the
Captain was altogether unaccountable be-
ing ignorant that the Sultan's wife, in the
estimation of her superstitious lord, would
be deiled by looking on Christian, and
would forfeit her life by this act of obedi-
ence to his mandate. Well may the wife
of Sultan shudder when unveiled in the
presence of Christian, knowing that she
will be Immediately led to the scaffold, to
expiate the offence. Soon after the inter-
view, which cost an innocent woman her
life, the Englishman had some business TO
transact with the Refs Effendi and when
he remarked that he had Just received a IA
yor not frequently granted to foreigners. that
of tho SOifauiz faworifa .r,;fa
of his utter astonishment and horror, when
the Refs Effendi replied-"I knew before
that you had seen her, and for polluting
herself by looking on you, her head was cut
offfifteen minutes agor Shocked with the
horrid atrocity, he regretted, but in vain,
that his curiosity had led him to ask favor
which produced result SO despotic, inhu-
man, and tragical.f
Secretary Of State for foreign affairs
For the principal facts contained in the fore
going sketch we are indebted TO gentleman
recently from Smyrna, where the story was
well authenticated.
SAL SoDA is recommended in the New York
Advertiser article of general value in
acGshing clothes. Not only is il great saw.
ing, but much less labor is required, and no
injury will be done TO the clothes. In rain
water a small quantity only is necessary, and it
will soften tho hardest water. The plan adopt
ed is, TO put small portion in the water while it
is heating. and By feeling the water you can
at once tell whether to add water or Soda In
clothes that are very yellow, if left short
time in the water, they viii with very lit.le
rubbing, become quite white In washing
paint, il is very great improvement.
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION On the night Of
the 18th ult, eight or ten barrels Of lime belong.
ing TO Mr.. Joseph Edwards e. Co. in the city Of
Camden, IN. ~ which lay on the shore above
the limits Of the usual rise Of the tide, ignited
10 the process OF decomposition or Stacking. in