Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-05-31
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUS
TICE IN TURKEY.

Is thus pleasantly exemplfied in Devices
Travels AS M. Msara finished his ex.
PLANTATION, we saw the Cad on duty. He
goes out in the morning without making
known his intended route; takes his walk
with suitable attendants, and stops at the
first bazaar. lie seats himself at random
in one Of the shops, and examines the
weights, measures, and merchandise. He
lends all ear ~ all cornpiaiD;s, intetros aics
any merchant accused Of infrac,ior of law,
! and then, without court or jury, and especl
ally without delay. pronounces Judgment
applies the penalty, and goes on in quest
of other delinquents. In these cases,
| however, the punishment is of different
character. Notwithstanding the identity
OF the crime, he cannot treat the offending
merchant as a common thief; that would
have a prejudicial effect on commerce.
The penalty is gradua ed thus: the mlIdest
confscation; the moderate, closing the
shop; the severest, exposure. This last is
inflicted in singular manner. The cul.
prit is placed with his back against his
shop, and is compelled TO raise himself on
his toes until the weight of his whole body
rests on them; his ear is then nailed to the
door or shutter of his shop. This punlsh-
ment lasts two, four or six hours. IL is
true, the criminal may abr'dge its duration,
whenever he chooses to let himself down {;
but the Turkish merchant is jealous Of his
reputation, and nothing but the last neces-
sty would induce him to resemble thief
by the mutlalion of his ears.
| stopped in front Of one of these
wretches, who had just been nailed up.
was disposed to compassionate his case, but
Mohammed told me he was an 'hab,ue.
and that if would observe his ear closely
! should find it was like a cullender. This
changed the current of my sympathies, and
as he was to remain sometime longer,
ceased to regret hIs sufferngs, and rejoced
in the opportunity Of making sketch.
drew forth crayons and paper, and begged
the rest to continue their route with NJ
Msara, leaving Mohammed to asss, me in
any embarrassment. But Mayer woult
not quit me f: so we three remained ard the
others proceeded on their way.
|, My picture was composed; the crlmina
nailed by his ear, was standing stiff ant
motlonless on the extreme points of hi:
great toes and seated near him. on thu
sill of the door, was The guard charged will
seeing the punishment duly executed. smo
, king pipe. The quantity of tobacco il
the pipe seemed TO be graduated to TIT
' time that the punishment was to continue
Around these two personnges was dem
circle of oilers. We took our places a
. one side, and commenced my task
After n time, the culprt, finding he hat
nothing to expect from the crowd-amon!
whom, perhaps, he recognised some OF hl
us'omers-hazarded a word to the guard
Brother SAID he, zone law Of our hol
= Prophet is, that men should help on
' another
!. The guard seemed to take no exception
1 to mis- prccep, in the abstract, and con'in
n ued quietly to smoke.
> Brother resumed the patient, did yo'
not hear me-,
:. The guard made no other reply than
g large puff of smoke, that assembled to hi
neighbours nose
o Brother still persisted the man, zone q
y ~ can aid the other and do thing &C
" ceprabe Ia Mahome,.'
The pulfS of smoke succeeded each othe
y with regularity that exlngushed tn
i poor fellows hopes.
IS Brother cried The respondent. with
IdoloTous voice, put stone uader my heel