The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-09-05
4 VI>Ir TO THE TURKISH SULTAN

we were led 10 Inc entrance Ol the SouIheFn
wing (of the palace of Cheriehan on the Bos-
phorus.) and again throwing off our ovcrshoes,
entered a lofty and spacious hail. matted through
nI. with two broad flights Of stairs ascending
frnrn the far extreme to an elevated platform or
landing. whence, uniting in one, they issued
upon the floor above.
On the right and Jeff Of the hall were doors
opening into varions departments, and there
were number Of officers and attendants on
either side and stationed al intervals along the
stairway, all preserving silence the most pro-
found. -
The Secretary. who had gone before, now
approached, and becknned TO US TO follow
But here an unexpected difficulty was presented.
The Chamberlain in waiting objected TO my
sword, and required that should lay it aside.
replied lha! the audience was gwen to me as
an officer Of The United States; and that the
sword was part of my nnifnrn and that could
not dispense with it. My refusal was met with
the assurance that the etiquette of the court
peremplorily required it. asked if the custom
had been Invariably complied with, and inqnir-
ed of The dragoman, whether Mr. Carr, Onr
minister, had in confurmily with il, ever at
tended an audience without his sword, but
even as spoke, my mind, without rcga;d TO
precedent, had come 10 the alternative, 10
sword, no audience.
Wherhrr the Secretary had, during the dis.
cussion, referred the matter 10 a higher quarter,
could not tell, for my attention had been so
engrossed for some minutes. that had not no.
tced him. He now came forward, however,
and decided that should retain the sword. At
this truly rcjniced, for n would have been un.
pleasant to retire alicr having gone 70 tar. II
is due 10 Mr.. BrowH, the dragoa,an, TO say that
he sustained He.
The discussion at an end, we ascendrd the
stairway. which was covered with good and
comfortable, but not costly carpet, and passed
into a room more handsomely furnished and
more luaiy, iynt in every other respect Of the
sane dimensions as the one Immediately below
il. 4 rich carpet was on the floor, magnif-
cent ci,aadrlie all llchrysta and gold, was s',s
pended from The ceiling, and costly divans and
tables, with other articles of furniture, were in.
ierspersed abma TIE rootn but had not time
10 note them, fur on tire leit hang g rgeous
crhason velvet curtain. embroidered aud trInS.
ed with gold, and towards il the Secretary led
hibited more awe than had ever seen depict.
ed in the human couHtenance. He seemed to
hold his breath, and his step was so SOFT ard
slcalthy that once or twice 1 stopped under The
impression that had left him behind. but found
h,m ever beside me. There were three os us
in close proximity, and The stairway was lined
with officers aud attendants, but such was he
death like Stiffness that could distinctly hear
my own football, which, unaccustomed 10 palace
regulations, fell with unutorcd republican ilrin
hess rpom the royal lloor. iiil had been wiid
beast sIu,nbering in his lair that we were ahou,
To visit, there could not have been silence
more deeply hushed.
Frc;lcd at such ahiect servilhy, lnickrncd
my pace towards the curtain, when Shclfic Bey,
rather gliding than stepping before me, eau.
tiousIy aud slowly raised a corner for ne to
pass Wondering at this s,.b;ucd and terror.
slriken attitude, stepped across the THRESHOLD
and felt, without rerceiving it that was in The
presence of the Sultan.
The heavy icds of tie window curtain so
olscuycd he light. that it seemed as the day
were drawing to close, instead Of being at its
high meridian.
As with The expanding pupil the "ye took in
surrounding Objects, the apartment. lis furniture
and its royal tenant. presented different scenr
from what, if left TO itself, the Imagination would
have drawn.
The room, Jess spacious. hrt as lofty rs 'hc
adjoining one, was furnished in the GIndern la.
rupean style, and like IL IuIniliar thing, stove
stood nearly in the centre. On s"ta hy a
window through which he might have locked
upon us as We crossed the court, with crimson
iarhnIcIr, lis gold button and b.ue silk tassrl on
its head Il blue military frock and paniaoons,
aud polished French boots upon his feet sal the
monarch, without any Of the attributes Of sove.
reisnly about him.
A man, young in years, hat evidently of del
icate and inquired constitution. his wcarled and
spirilless air was unreevrd by any indication
ot intellectual energy. He eyed me fxed'y as
| advanced and on him my attention WAS nu less
rvelcd. As he smiled >t"preh expecting that
he was about To speak, hui he mptoncd gently
with his hand for me 10 approach Yet nearer
Through he Interpreter lie t'rn made me wei.
come for which | expressed my acknowledge
m"nl$.
The interview was rot Il prntracird "nr. In
The Course oi IL, us req''seu W 'n'' N"'''
presented him, in the name ol the President ol
The United States, with son" Biographies and
prints. Illustrative Of the cI,arac:"ran'l habits OF
our Northern American indians, the work nl
,mrrcan artists He "ukrd at some Of them
which were placed before him by an attendant
an said that he considered them as evidences
Of IN. advancement of The United States in civ.
;liy,,;on. and would treasure them us souve.
MI of the good feeling OF It's government toward
him. At the word civilization. pronounced IN
French, | started; for it seemed singular,
coming from the lips ola TUX, and applied t"
our country. have since learned that he is
lmt a student in French, and presume that hy
the wcrd civilization, he meant the arts and
sciences.
~ - l... o., i,Ln my lrnvr he rpnr Wcu