The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-05-07
TURKISH TYRANNY.


1t CHANGED that Seim H., one of the most
cruel and superstitious monarchs of the Ottoman
dynasty, fell asleep towards midday in the year
l775, and, no one daring to awake him, he there
by omitted his noon ndmaz. During this time
he dreamed that Ishmae, son of Abraham, ap-
peared to him, and rebuked him in wrathful Ian
guage for his sonnolency, said, "Sacrifce forth
with seven days old lamb, and eat part there
OF, Tor thy evening repast, or thou thyself shalt
fall sacrifice TO the transgressiou. !"
Upon this Selim awoke in great trepidatlon,
and sending for the ashiee bashy [head cook
commanded him TO procure seven days old
lamb, that he the Sultanl might sacrifice it with
his own hand, and, when stuffed with currGnts
and almonds, eat it for his supper. The head
cook, upon hearing this, had well nigh dropped
down with terror; for it was October, many
months after the ewes had ceased lambing. To-
procuresa young lamb was against nature, TO de-
ceVe the Sultan against art. He, nevertheless,
replied, "On my head be IT," and went his way.
In vain the asbiee bashy and his friend, the
chief purveyor, despatched messengers on all
sides, offering rich rewards TO him who could
procure young lamb; in vain violent hands
were laid upon scoresof innocent animals, frsk-
ing and pasturing upon the surrounding heights.
g He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb
denied miracle. Animals five or six months
old were found in abundance; but not single
eve had yeaned since the vernal equinox. No
thing remained, therefore, for the cook but TO
select the smallest, to deck it off with ribbons,
gilt paper, and paint, and present it to the Sui
tan's knife, with his own head, if required.
Whilst this was passing in his mind, he stood
in his Office near large maDgal of lighted char
coal, and, the hem of his caftan CHANGING 10 come
in contact with the embers, his whole dress was
soon in blaze. In his trepidation he cast off
his burning garment. Thus the fire communi-
Gated to the light draperes of the divan and
windows, and ere many seconds the whole cham
ber was in flames. The alarm was soon given
assistance procured, but the fury of the flames
was so intense as to battle every effort. In less
than half an hour the whole range of kitchens
and Offices near the second Serago Court we're
reduced to ashes, and the confagraton was with
difficulty prevented from communicating TO the
harem.
| The Sultan, who sat in one of his kioshks
anxiously waiting the arrival of his sacrifice, was
Immediately apprzed Of this misfortune, and
forthwith fastened to the spot. The sight of
the burning edifce seemed TO affect him deeply,
and he stood for a while motionless and silent.
His ominous dream appeared half accomplished.
Rousing himself suddenly, however, he looked
around, and then in loud voice exclaimed,--
"Where is the ashjee bashy?"
In few seconds the trembling cook appear
ed and cast himself at the Sultan's feet The
latter then placed his foot on his neck and roared
out, "Kafir dog! where is my lamb?" To this
the PROSTATE wretch replied, "By the Sultan's
beard, it is not my fault. God has willed that
| it should be consumed like the sacrifice made
by Abraham. Upon this Selim gnashed his teeth
and trembled with fear and choler. Seeing the
Agha of Janissares standing by, the despot poin-
ted first to the cook, then to the burning edifces.
In an instant more the miserable offender was
cast headlong into the flames. This being done,
Selim retired, shut himself up in his harem, and
endeavored by many prayers of suporerogation,
10 make amends for the omission of the after
noon
| These circumstances, recountcd by the Tur-
tish historian RascEid, may be exaggerated
But there can be no doubt that this event produ-
ced such an effect upon Selim's superstitous and
cowardly mind that he fell into state of pro-
found melancholy and languor. Ere many months
he was seized with violent colics and fever, of
which he died in great agony, attributing his
death to the destruction OF the intended sacrifice
and the burning of his kitchens.