Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1847-08-21
Turkey MODERNIZED.

CoxsrAxT1xopLE, June 8, ls47.
Since nv return from Ephcsus, about three
weeks now have not left this place, although
expect TO do so shortly, first for Mount Oily M
phus and then for Mount Ida, in the neighbour
hood of which latter spot have made some very
valuable discoveries of coal and sulphur when l
intend having worked quite soon. Nhlie IN I"n-
stantinople nv time passes pleasantly enough.
No one has contributed more to my enjoyment
here than our minister, Mr.. Dabnry >. Carr, who
is much esteemed here both In his official as
well as private relations. 1t Is only lew days
since that the Grand Nizicr Resohd Pasha, to
show his respect tn for the man and tor the
Government he represents, gave a splendid dln-
ncr to the Minister at his palace on the B0Spho-
rus. The other Americans invited were Mr. D.
p Brown, Secretary and Dragoman TO the y me
rican Legation, Dr. j. B. Davis of South Caro-
lima and myself As YOU will scarcely he satlS-
fed without description of the dinner, WIN
give YOU an outline Of it, though know before
hand you will be disappointed to find notHlhg
Turkish in it. The American Minister, accom-
panied by the other representatives OF our conn-
trv assembled the Bosphorus in his calque, man
ned by ten oarsmen. The stars and stripes were
fying at the bow, spread out by stin noItherIS
breeze, showing all their beauty to the urKs anu
inviting them almost to annexation. Thus we
elided up the channel, passing rapidly the spleh-
did panorama that is stretched out on ollh'r
hand, and which unlike most other sights grow
in beauty the oftener they pass before You; on
our way stopped few moments at Dibtc'
village on the European side, where the American
missionaries have established school, of which
I shall write at some future time, Just ahoNe
this point we passed the famous Castle OF Ma
homet the I'd, built prior TO his taking Constantl'
nople A little further on is the summer palace
of the Grand Vizier, which, like most other Turk
ish palaces, is large wooden house without any
architectural pretensons; the door is immediate
ly on the waters edge. On landing we were met
by the Usher and passing through files OF num-
berless servants arrived at the reception room,
where the Grand Nizier met us Ia frame, that
is to say, by shaking hands most cordially. Ch
looking around the room | saw two Europeans,
one a son of the great banker Rothschid, the
other Hungarian Baron. The rest OF th' com
pany consisted of many of the d'gnItanes OF the
Turkish Government, among whom might emu
merate Refact Pasha, Salem faSha, Nalu Eas""'
&c. &c. but as the names would convey to you
very little meaning | will merely remark that all
the important ministers of state were present.;
Soon after taking seats, pipes were served
with jassamin stems about eight feet long, WIN
large amber mouth pieces, most Hchiy ST WIN
diamonds. Many of the Turks, as well as the
Grand Vizier, speaking French, enabled me to
enter into conversation, much OF which was about
our country. The room in which we were was
strictly oriental, having the walls palnttd and
groups of carved flowers In relief on the cCilIhE.
1t formed one of the suits of rooms belonging to
the harem of the Grand NIzlcr, but the occupants
had been disIojgcd on this occasion. The FUR
niture was European. Dinner being announced,
the Grand VZier conducted the Minister to the
table, seating him on his right, Mr.. RothschIld
was on his left and the rest Of the party seated
wherever chance had placed them The dinner
consisted of French dishes, with the exception OF
two or three, and there nothing oriental
about it except the red caps of the Turks. Vine
(Franc Sherbert) of different kinds circulated
freely, and the Turks seemed to forget the Koran
as the champagne sparklcd In their glasses In
fact the use of wine is a European custom which
the sensual Turks have adopted more generally
than any other of the good things of the civilized
world. There sat on my left Iurk whom l
felt convinced, from the manner IN which he
drank wine, must speak French, and on address
ing him in that language | found my inference
correct. preached the subject Of wine, as he
seemed to be no bad connoissour, from the re-
peaed application of the glass to his lips,
Another European innovation at this DINNER
was the drinking OF toasts, when was 3rguh py
the Hungarian Baron drinking the Leathot the
Grand Vizier after a short speech OF the warm
est kind of compliments, for which the french
language you know, supplies so many eXtraya-
giant ex EXPRESSIONS. His lattery was laid on with
such unsparing hands, that | very much tear the
Grand Vizier doubted all he said. The Amerl-
can Minister in turn toasted the Sultan IN very
handsome manner, through the dragoman OF lie
CATION Mr.. Brown, whose knowledge OF the
Turkish tongue is said to be very thorough. The
toast was received with tremendous enthusiasm,
that is to say with profound silence, Tor what we
would express with hip, hip, huzza, the Turks
do by keeping silent, so opposite To US are they
in all their customs. The Grand Nlzcr resi- ond-
ed to the toast, and spoke of the friendship eX-
listing between Turkey and the l. States, and con-
cluded by proposing the PreSidenLS HeaHh. 20
you see the East is toasting the West VINO can
say now that the Turks are not making rapid
progress in civilization! for when wire is allow
ed to circulate freely, and wit and champagne to
sparkle at the Musselman's table, his barriers to
progress will fast crumble into dust. There Is
nothing like goblet of wine to drown prejudice
it creates a good feeling between Mahomedan,
Jew and Christian. Break fairly through our
restrictions of the Koran and you have spot to
place a lever to overturn this fabric OF lmposure
and fanaticism.
We were seated about two hours at the table,
when we smoked pipe, took coffee, and return
ed home, with the moon to light us on our way
One word about the Grand Fzier. and | shall
end nv letter. Reschid Pacha is the most en-
liehtened head that Turkey has had since the
great efforts of reform in this country, and his
appointment to this high office was hailed by
Europe as an suspicious event for Turkey. He
has had numerous difficulties to encounter, and
the preudices of many enemies TO surmOunt.
The short time that he has been in power already,
gives promise of his great usefuIness-and while
he continues to guide the destnes OF this coun-
try, the progress of civilization will be increas d.
He has been minister to two or three European
Courts, and is highly esteemed by all who know
him. The Grand Vizier, as well as the Su ltan,
are favorably disposed towards America and the
Americans, whose relations with this country are
becoming more and more important every year
J. l.. s.
Nantucket.-Take altogether, in its origin,
progress, prosperity; its steriy wealth, intelli-
~ bor auI curf This lS Ouitp the