Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-21
An Ambition. Priest, Children, &c.

We find in COnstantinGple cOrrespon-
dent of the New York Tribune, some re.
marks upon the life Of the higher class in
Turkey, which, although not altogether
new, will be found interesting. The de-
scription is SO graphic as to print deep in
the memory.
i went, some time ago, to visit the We
ry old and venerable MtJh, a sort of
Mshomedon bishop, who enjoys the pub
lie esteem and respect. found him, in
deed. a fine and pleasing old man, rather
bent down from age, but smiling benovo'
lently, and talking sffably to all his fine
transparent blue eyes, his white flowing
beard, his large snow white turban, his
scarlet robe, all were imposing, and l felt
quite inclined TO like the old gentleman,
who had no superstition in his religion,
and acknowledged with perfect simplicity
and good temper that he did not follow the
rigid prescriptions Of the Ramazan, Ma
hOmedon Lent, but deemed it as well to
give little money to the poor. and to eat
whatever his exhausted nature required.
When first entered his drawing room
saw little girl of about six or seven
years, standing by his side and leaning
upon him in a very familiar way. thought
at first it was his grand daughter, but
knowing the habits Of my Eastern hosts,
said, as candidly as could:
is that your daughter, sir?'
Yes, tits, he replied, and this boy,
pointing to baby just entering the
room, is my son, and l have still youn-
ger one.'
'Ah = said 1, i am sure you have
many
Many = interrupted the the old man.
shaking with laughter so many that /
don't know the number
Then one of his followers, sort
of body guard, took up the thread of
the conversation, adding with a hearty
laugh:
'Oh he has children everywhere here
at Stamboul, at Bagdad. at Damascus, at
AlepPo. in every town and village of Asia
Minor and Cham. Sometimes they come
to see him, or send him q greeting. but
if they don't inform him they are Of his
own blood, it is impossible for him 10
know it-they are SO many
But so many children must have many
mothers
'Oh dear, yes answered the old saint.
very many. Let me see-Hassan help
me out : and the two began to look At the
ceiling, as one does when immersed in ab-
stracted and compile ated calculations /;
five, six, eight yes. think had eight
wives
All at once % exclaimed.
No, only six the other two died be.
fore took the two last. But all my chill
dren don't come from my eight wives
God blessed my house, and each one who
entered it, added at least one TO the list
Of my children
Though accustomed to Turkish ways,
l felt rather astOnished at this saint, this
light of the Church. this pillar Of the faith.
/ went on, however, inquiring after the
present state Of his family.
At this moment said he, I have
only one wife left, and she is rather old
How old %
Thirty. perhaps. or thirty-fve'
'(The old man was eighty or ninety. J
is she handsome p
She was, but Il is gone
Do you think of taking anOtheT?'
Il dare say shall What can I do
Ny last boy is two years Old
hau al OpROESunAsg hSAS uey y. -
ing the wife Of the Muffi, the old wife OF
thirty Of the young husband Of eighty
She was really splendid Asistic too
round, too fat, too heavy, and too much
! panied for orr notion Of female eleganee
and beauty, bnt such as she agass ne
seemed much too loved for her loTds--
But 10 return f0the Pachas and other
MussuImen Richelieus and Loyelaces =
Every one ofthem must have one child .
wear At least, and this scans to Be the
sole affection With which they sFe e1idcv.