Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-10-16
From the sketches of Turkey, by an American
DINNER WITH TURKISH GRAN,
DEES, &c


DINNER WITH TURKISH GRAN,
DEES, &c.
1t is not often that the stranger in Tur.
key has an opportunity of witnessing the
interior of "A Turkish family, and it was
therefore with mingled feelings of pleas
ure and curiosity that we accepted an in
vitation to dine with the Refs liman Bey.
one of the chief officers about the Court
OF Constantinople. He is the naval com
mander of the port, and his rank is that
OF admiral in the navy. In company with
two Of our countrymen, we presented our
selves at his palace at six in the evening.
and were introduced between two long
lines of richly dressed domestics into the
reception room, where his excellency
awaited our arrival. The room was hung
around with pictures Of horses, battles.
and, among others, the portrait of the EN-
press of Russia. The mention of pictures
reminds US that none are more frequent
10 Turkey than those vile colored French
prints mathematical Of the four quarters
of the globe In these. of cnnrse. Amer
lea figures with her feathers, bow, and
hence, the idea has been adopted, that
we, as Americans, must necessarily wear
these ornaments and arms. A friend who
has just returned from Russia, informs me,
that at Moscow, he was asked, in a large
circle, where he was introduced as an A
merlcan, to put on bis real dress, and 10
appear there next evening with his paint,
feathers, and arrows.
Among the novelties in the apartment.
which our host appeared to regard with
ctomplaeency, was an English oil cloth in
lieu OF the mats which are universally
used. Chairs too were placed in various
parts of the room. As soon as the custo.
mary civili,ies had been exchanged, the
pipe and coffee followed. The pipes were
magnificent, and of the real diplomatic
size, beng at least six feet IN length
We have already alluded 10 Turkish co(-
lee, which has been alternately villied
and commended. tits exceedingly strong,
and is served up with the grounds without
sugar or cream. An English traveller,
(oandys) about a century ago, after min
ntely describing the Turkish process for
making what he most neutrality-suspicious.
spells cota, gravely inquiries, "Whether
1t be not that black brothe which was in
use among the Lacedamonians.'' With
regard to the Turkish coffee it may be
said, that after some time it becomes pal
atable, and when used in small quantities,
and for the same purpose it is employed
here, 1t is an agreeable and refreshing
beverage. The Turks never use it as a
meal, but simply to sweeten their mouths
alter smoking. Taken in this way, it is
Tar better than our weak infusion, which,
by courtesy alone has obtained the name
of coffee. After some conversation with
our host, who speaks little Italian, we
were ushered into the next room, where
we found the dinner served up in as hand.
some style as it has ever been our lot to
witness in Europe or America. The
knives, forks, and plates we're of English
manufacture, and Of the most costly kind /;
the table was set off by cut glass of ex-
qulsite workmanship. French wines Of
the most delicate flavor made their ap-
Pearance, and in short, nothing was want
ing to satisfy even the fastidiousness of an
English exclusive. We should hardly
have supposed ourselves in Turkey, had
it not been for the venerable boards of
some of our neighbors, and the armed and
scarlet-dressed attendants who stood be
hind our chairs.
We took our seats without any ceremo
ny or Pre-arranged order, and after a pre-
liminary whet with rakee as an appetizer,
proceeded to do justice to the good things
before US. Soup, fish, roasted turkeys.
joints Of meat, &c. were severally intro
duced and discussed in the most orthodox
and uDeYCeDtionahle order II una notl