Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-08-11
A VISIT TO THE SULTAN.
BY LlEUT. LYNCH, U. s. N.


We led to the entrance OF the Southern WING (of
the palace OF Cherghan the Bosphorus) and again
throwing of our overshoes, entered lofty and spacious
hail. matted throughout with two broad flights OF stairs
ascending from the lar extreme elevated platform or
landing whence uniting one, they issued upon the floor
above
On the right and left of the hall were doors opening into
various apartments, and there number OF officers
and attendants either side and stationed intervals
along the stairway, all preserving silence the most pro-
found
and bechoned to us TO follow. But here unexpected
difficulty was presented The Chamberlain in waiting OBJ
eced tony sword and required that should lay aside
replied that the audience given me as an officer
OF the States; and that the sword part OF my uni
forn and that could not dispense with it, My refusal
Wasinet with the assurance that the etiquette OF the
peremptorlly Iequedi it. asked it the custom had been
nodroJtg coupled with and inquired OF the dragonap
whether Mr. Carr minister, had in conformity with it
ever attended an audience without his sword but
lspoke my mlnd without regard precedent had
to the alternative, no sword no audience
Whether the Secretary had during the discussion refer
red the matter to higher quarter could not tell for my
attention mad been so engossed tor some minutes, that
had not noticed hlm He now came forward, however,
and decided that should retain the sword AT this truly
eoced for would have been unpleasant retire after
having gone so tar 1t is due to Mr. Brown the dagoman
to say that he sustained me.
The discussion at an end, we assembled the stairway,
which was covered with good and comfortable but
a costly carpet and passed into handsomely
furnished and lofty but every other respect the
same dimensions as the Immediately below it, A
rich carpet was the oor magnificent chandelier, all
crystal and gold, suspended from the ceiling and
costly dvans and tables, with other articles OF furniture
were lnerspersed about the room but had not time to
note tem tor on the lett hung gorgeous crimson velvet
curtain embroidered and rnged with gold, and towards it
the Secretary led the way His countenance and his man
exhibited more than had seen depicted in
the human He seemed to hold his breath,
and his step was soft and seahy that once twice
stopped under the impression that had LETT him behind
but found him ever beside There We're three OF in
close proximity and the stairway was lined with officers
htcr tho Ito
could distinctly hear my own football which, unaccustom
ed palace regulations, ie with untutored republican
irmness upon the royal floor ft had been wild beast
sumberng i'll his lair that we were about VISIT there
could not have been a silence more deeply hushed
Freed at such AFFECT servility, quickened my pace
towards the curtain when Shefe Bay rather gliding than
stepping before me, cautiously and slowly raised corner
for Inc to pass. Wondering at his subdued and terror
stricken attitude stepped the threshold and e
without yet perceving It, that in the presence OF the
Sultan.
The heavy folds OF the window obscured the
light that seemed the day dawning to a close
instead OF being its high meridian
AS with the expanding pupil the eye took in surrounding
Objects the apartment its furniture and It's royal tenant
presented different from what, if left ITSELF the
Imagination would have drawn.
The room less spacious, but as lofty the adjoining
one, furnished the modern European STYLE and like
familiar thing stove stood nearly the centre On
sofa by window, through which he might have looked
upon crossed the court, with crimson tarbouch
ils gold button and blue silk tasse on his head black
silk kercef around his neck, attred blue military
trOck ana pantalOonS, ana pOSed rench boots
feet the monarch without any OF the attributes so
vereignty about him.
man. young in years, but evidently ofdelcae and inn
paired constitution his weared and spress air was un
relieved by any indication OF intellectual energy He eyed
xedly advanced, and on him my attention was no
less rvetted AS he smle stopped expecting that he
about speak, but he motioned gently with his hand
for approach yet Through the interpreter
he then babe me welcome, for which expressed my
acknowledgements
The interview was not protracted one In the course
0t | in The
OF the President OF the U States, with biogra
plies and prints illustrative of the character and habits Of
North American Indians the work OF American ar
lists He looked OF them, which placed be-
fore him by attendant and said that he considered
them evidences OF the advancement of the United States
civilization and would treasure them as souvenir OF
the good feeling OF its government towards him At the
word civilization pronounced in French, started for it
seemed singular coming from the lips OF Turk, and ap
piled to country have since learned that he is but
student in French, and presume that by the word civil
zation,' he meant the arts and sciences.
When about 10 take my leave he renewed the welcome
sa asid thatl had his FULL authority any thing
STEAMBOAT might desire
While in his presence, could not reti ain from draw
ing comparisons and moralzing fate There was the
Sultan, Eastern despo the ruler Of mighty kingdoms
and the arbiter OF the fate OF millions OF his teow-crea
tures and face face few feetdstan one rank and
condition. among the humbest OF far distant
republic and yet little life has to cheer, would not
change position with him. unless could carry with my
faith, my friendships, and my aspirations
My feelings saddened as looked upon the monarch and
thought OF Montezuma Evidently like Northern
Cline his year Of lie had known seasons only, and
ne had eaped from youth to imbecity His smile was
one OF the sweetest ever looked uponhs voice almost
was the most meodious ! had ever heard his manner
gentleness itself, and every thing about him bespoke
kind and anabe disposition He said to be very affec
tonae, his mother especial and is generous to the
extreme Of prodigalty But there is that ndescribaby
sad expressionn his counenance, which thought to
ged perhaps with bodng fear of the overthrow OF his
country, to pervade and depress his spirits In
truth like Damoces this descendant OF the Calphs be-
mighty monarchs who have gone before seem to brood
over the impending fate OF empire which once extended
from the Atlantic to the Ganges from the Caucasus to the
Indian Ocean