Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-02
MISCELL A N Y.
From BTriagtoa's Sketches,
DIR. Achmef sOrumbOrGd.


Until England dragged the sister-king-
dom with herself into the rulnous expenses
of the American war, Ireland owed no pub
lic debt. There were no taxes, save local
ones: the parliament, being composed OF
resident gentlemen, interested in the pros
perity and welfare OF their country, was
profuse in promoting all useful schemes !;
ya / no protector, who could show any rea-
sonable grounds for seeking assistance, had
difficulty in finding a patron. On these
points, indeed, the gentlemen who possess
sed influence were often unguarded, and
sometimes extrayagant,
Among other projectors whose ingenuity
was excited by this liberal conduct, was
one of very singular descriptions Turk
who had come over, or (as the ondu vent
had fed from CoHstantiaople. He propos-
ed to establish, what was greatly wanted at
that time in the Irish metropolis, "hot and
cold sea-water baths;" and by way OF ad-
vancing his pretensions to public encour-
agement, offered to open free baths for the
poor, on an extensive Plan-giving them, as
a doctor, attendance and advice gratis, ev-
ery day in the year. He spoke English
very intilligibly. His person was extreme
" remarkable ; aud the more so, as he was
the first Turk who had ever walked the
streets Of Dublin in his native coStume.-
He was in height considerably above SIX
feet, rather pompous iG his gait, aud apPa-
rently powerful an immense black beard
covering his chin and upper lip. There
was, at the same time, something cheerful
and cordial in the mans address; and alto
gether he cut very imposing figure. Ev-
erybody liked Doctor Achmet Borumborad :;
his Turkish dress, being extremely hand
some, without any approach to the tawdry,
and crowned with an immense turban,
drew the eyes Of every pasSer-by; and |
must say that have never myself seen a
more stately-looking Tmk since that period.
The eccentricity of the doctors appear
ance was, indeed. as will be readily ina
gined, the occasion OF much idle obServa-
tioE and conjecture. AT first, whenever
he went abroad, a crowd Of people, chiefly
bows, was sure to attend him-but at re-
spectful distance; and if he turned to look
behind him, the gaping boobies fled, as If
they conceived even his looks to be mortal.
These fears, however, gradually wore away,
and were entirely shaken OIL, on the fact
being made public that he meant to attend
the poor which undertaking was, in the u
sual spirit Of eXaggeration, soon construed
into an engagement on the part OF the doc
tor to cure all disorders lchaicrer and hence
he quickly became as much admired and
respected as he had previously been dread
ed.
Nv fair readers will perhaps smile when
assure them that the persons who SEEM
ed,to have the least apprehension OF Doc
tor Borumborad, or rather to think him, ga
very nice Turk !" were the ladies Of the
metropolis. Many a smart, snug little huS-
band, who had been heretofore considered
"quite the thing -deSpotlc in his own
house, and pcremPtory commandant OF
his own family-was now regarded as a
wretched, contemplate, close-Shaven pig
my, IN comparison with the immensely OF
the doctors figure and whiskers; and what
is more extraordinary, his good-humor and
engaging manners gained han many friends
even among the husbands themselves he
thus becoming, in shorter period than
could be imagined a particular tavorlte
with the entire city, male and female.
Doctor Achmet Borumborad, having OBJ
tanned footing thus far, next succeeded sur
prisingly in making hls way among the
members of parliament. He was full OF
conversation, yet knew his proper distance {;
pregnant with anecdote, but discreet IN ITS
expenditure; and he had the peculiar tai
ent of being humble without the appear
aace Of humility. a submissive Turk would
have been out Of character, and naughty
one excluded from society. The doctor
was aware Of this, and regulated his de-
meanor with remarkable skill upon every
occasion (and they were numerous) where
on las lOn) he was invited TO the tables
OF the great By this hnc OF conduct, he