Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-07-14

by the Sultan which would contribute to
the comfort and happiness of the travel
Ter, or enrich his store of information on
the various subjects to which his re-
searches were directed. And, as graf
itude is one of the most pleasing emo
tions that warm the human bosom, favors
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 Ger
many, he was desirous of transmitting to
the Sultan, some tokens of aflectionate
remembrance for the polite and gener-
Gus attention he had received. But it is
principle with the Turks, when they
receive a present, always to return one
equal in value, and often far SUPERIOR
This principle, the German wished to
evade-he did not wish to send pres
ent 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. lie 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 a present in re-
turn from the Sultan.
When the English Captain arrived at
Constantinople, after an interview with
the Rcis Efiendi,* he was introduced to-
the Sultan, to whom, by an interpreter,
he communicated his message from the
German traveller. But so fixed is the
sentiment in the mind of Turk, that
presents must be reciprocated, that the
Sultan appeared hardly to understand it
as thing possible, to receive the gift OF
his distant friend without making splen-
did return. But after further eXplana-
ton, advertng to the many favors the
German had formerly received at the
hands of the Sultan, he consented to ac-
ccpt the present, not however, without
insisting thatthe Captainwho 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
informed that the Captain had been re-
warded for bringing the present, by him
who sent it,-still, he could not be salts
fed without making some return to the
Captain.
As the Sultan seemed to be determined
that the Captain should have some remu-
neration, the latter requested as very
important favor, to see the favorite wife,
or one of the favorite wives ofthe Sultan.
With much apparent willingness the re-
quest was granted; and female was
soon introduced into their presence, her
face entirely concealed by veil, and she
approached 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; being ig-
norant that the Sultan's wife, in the es-
timaton of her superstitious lord would
be defiled by looking on a Christian, and
would forfeit her life by this act of obe-
dience 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
scaf1old, to expiate the offence. Soon
after the interview, which cost an inno-
cent woman her life, the Englishman
had some business to transact with the
Reis Effendi; and when he remarked
that he had just received favor not fire.
quently granted to foreig that Of
seeing the Sultan's favorite wife, Judge
of his utter astonishment and horror, when
the Refs EAendi replied-"I knew be-
fore that you had seen her, and for pol
luting herself by looking on you, her
head was cut off fifteen minutes ago!"-I
Shocked with the horrid atrocity, he re-
gretted, but in vain, that his curiosity
had led him to ask favor which produ-
ced result so despotic, inhuman, and
tragical.f
Secretary of State for foreign affairs.
tFor the principle facts contained in the fore
going sketch we are indebted to gentleman re-