The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-08-21
VISIT TO THE SULTAN.

al the VI tiib
AYIsIT TO THE SULTAN.
LIEUT., LYNCH, u
We were led TO the entrance of the southern wing
-(of the palace of Cherghan on the BosPhorua) and
again throwing off our overshoes, entered lofty
and spacious hall, matted throughout, with two
broad flights Of stairs ascending from the far ex-
IRENE to an elevated platform or landing whence
uniting in one, they issued upon the floor above.
On the right and left Of the hall were doors OPEN
ing into various apartments, and there were
number of officers and attendants on either side,
and stationed at intervals along the stairway, all
preserving silence the most profound. The Sec
rotary, who had gone before, now approached, and
beckOned 10 US TO follow. But here an unexpected
difficulty was presented. The Chamberlain in
waiting objected to my sword, and required that
should lay il aside. replied that the audience
was given to me as an officer Of the United Statss
and that the sword was part Of my uniform, and
that could not dispense with it. My refusal was
met with the assurance that the etiquette of the
court peTempt0rily required 1t. l asked If the Gus
quiFed of the dragOman whether Mr. Carr, our
Minister, had, in conformity with it, attended
an audience without bis sword, but even as | spoke
my mind, without regard 10 precedent, had come
to the alternative, no sword, no audience.
Whether the Secretary had, during the discus
sion, referred the matter to a higher quarter
could not tell, for my attention had been so en-.
crossed for some minutes, that l had not noticed
him. He now came forward, however, and de-
cided that / should retain the sword. AT this /
truly rejOieed, for it would have been unpleasant
to retire after having gone far Il is due to Mr.
Brown the dTagOman, 10 say that he sustained me.
The discussion at an end, we assembled the starr
way, which was covered with good and COM
Portable, but not costly carpet, and passed into
room mo handsomely furnished and more lofty,
but in every other respect Of the same dimensions
as the one Immediately below il. A rich carpet
on the floor, a magnificent chandelier, all
n1ade efa
and costly divans and tables, with other articles Of
furniture, were interpreted about the room; but
had not time to note them, for on the left hung
gorgeous crimEo velvet curtain embroidered and
frnged with gold, and towards it the Secretary
led the way His countenance and his manner
exhibited more awe than had eyer, seen depicted
in the human COuntenanes.t He sssfned to hold
his breath, and his step was 50 sOit and siealthy
that once or twice | stopped, Under the impression
that had left him behind, but found him ever be.
side me.
There were three of US in close proximity, and
the stairway was lined with officers aud attend
ants but such was the death-like stiffness that
could distinctly hear my own foot fall which, I'M
accustomed to palace regulations, fell with untu-
toFed republican fiTnness upon the royal floor II
it had been wild beast sumbering in his lair that
we were about to visit, there could not have been
a 81 lenee more deeply hushed.
Fretted at such abject seEvillty, quiekened my
pace towards the curtain, when Sheffie Bey rather
gliding than stepping before me, cautiously and
slowly raised corner for me 10 pass Wondering
at his subdued and teorstricken attitude, Istepped
across the Threshold and felt without yet perceiv-
ing it, thatI was in the presence Of the Sultan.
The heavy folds of the window curtains SO OBJ
secured the ligh that it seemed as if the daV were
drawing to close, instead Of being at its high me-
ridan.
As with the expanding pupil the eye took in sur
rounding objects, the apartment, its furniture and
its royal tenant presented different scene from
what, if left To- ITSELF the imagination would have
drawn.
The room less spacious, but as lofty as the adj
joining one, was furnished in the modern European
style, and like familiar thing, stove stood nearly
in the centre. ~OR sofa by a window, through
which he might have lookedupon Us we crossed
the court, with crimson tarbouch its gold button
aud blue silk tassel on his head, a black silk
kerchief around his neck, attired in blue military
froek and pantalo0ns, and polished French boots
upon his feet sat the monarch, without any of the
attributes Of sovereignty about him.
A man, young in years, but evidently Of delicate
and impaired constitution, his Wearled and spirit
less air unrelieved by any indication Of intel
leetual energy. He eyed me fxedly as | advanced,
and on him my attention was no less rvetted. As
he smiled stopped expecting that he was about 10
speak, but he motioned gently with his hand for
me to approach yet nearer. Through the intepfe-
Ter he then babe me welcome, for which expressed
my Acknowledgements.
| The interview was not protraeted one. In the
course Of it, as requested by Mr.. Carr, presented
States, with biographies and prints, illustra-
tive of the character and habits of our North
American Indians, the work of American artists
! He looked at some of them, which were placed
before him by an attendant, and said that he CON
sidered them as evidences of the advancement of
the United States in civilization, and would trea-
sure them souvenir of the good feeling Of its
government towards him. AT the word civiiza-
ton, pronounced in French, started for seemed
singular coming from the lips Of a Turk, and ap-
piled to our country. have since learned that he
is but student in French, and presume that by the
word civilization he meant the arts and sciences
When about to take my leave, he renewed the
welcome, and said that had his full authority to
see anything in Stamboul might desire.
While in his presence, / could not refrain from
drawing comparisons and moralzing on fate
There was the Sultan, an Eastern despOt, the
ruler Of mighty Kingdoms and the albiter Of the
fate of millions Of his fellow-ereatures; and face
to face, few feet distant, one, in rank and cond
ton, among Che humbest servants of far-distant
republic, and yet, little as life has 10 cheer |
would not change position with him, unless ]
could carry with me my faith, my friendships,
and my aspirations.
My feelings saddened as / looked upon the mon
arch, and l thought of MOntezuma. Evidently
like northern cline, his year of life had known
two seasons only, and he had leaped from youth to
imbecility. His smile was one of the sweetest
ever looked upon; his voice almost the most
meodiOus that had ever heard; his manner gen
tleness ITSELF and every thing about him bespoke
kind and amiabe disposition. He is said to be very
ahectOngte, TO his mother especially and ls gene
rous to the extreme Of prodigality. But there Is
that indescribably sad expression IN his counte-
nance, which is thought to indicate an early death.
A presentiment of the kind, mingled perhaps WIN
bodinR fear of the overthrow of his country,
seems 10 peryade and depress bis spirits, 10 truth,