Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-08-10
NO. xxx.
Abdul Medjid,
Tps. SULTAN OF THE OTTOMAN EMpiRE.

EHE. SULTAN OF THE OTTomAN EmfihE.
Abdul Nledjid was born on the goth of
April, 1924, and was bat sixteen years OF
age when called upoE to succeed his father
whose death was announced on the 1st OF
July, 1899, though it is supposed that it oc-
Cured some days before. The ceremony
of installation was performed on the llth,
when he was girdeI with the sword of Os-
man with all the ancient formalities. He
is tall and well formed his head is fine and
regular his department graceful and nobles
his auburn hair is always covered by red
callotte, similar to that worn by the mean.
est of his subjects his eyes are Of gray
ish blue, soft and penetrating His habitu-
al costume is the military dress OF his en-
pire--a dark colored tnnic, buttoned up to-
the neck no warlike accoutiement except
sabre suspended at his side, and similar
to that which every citizen may grid in the
hour Of danger no golden embroideries nor
dazzling colors upon his habitual dress.
The decorations which the Sultan con-
fers have the form Of sort Of gold medal,
on which Is engraved his signature, and the
importance OF which depends upon the num-
Der & value the diamonds, which surround
ed it. The supreme mari. .offayor Of this kind
the most enyiable decoration, is the minia-
ture portrait of the Sultan, surrounded by
Jewels and suspended 10 gold chain /; wo-
men NAV receive this decoration, which
they wear attached to the lett shonlder.---
Three christian ladies possess it at this mo.
ment. One Of them, the Princess V",
lately received this august present in MOI
dayla, in presence Of young Turk in high
Office, who had been brought up near the
person of Abdul Medid. behold him."
said he, inclining himself profoundly be-
fore this portrait; "behold him {! that mas
ter whom we revere, not because he is
powerful, but because be is good New
er," added he, "has that angelic heart per-
nitted drop of blood to flow, either to ex-
tend or to secure his power; the life of 9th
ers is so sacred in his eyes, that when 1t
behoves him 10 pass sentence OF DEATH
even on a criminal. he takes refuge in the
retirement of his apartment secludes HIM
self there, and becomes inaccessible TO all
there he, in anguish, asks within himself
if God can have given him the power to
blot out forever man from the number
living" On his accession to the throne it
became necessary for him, in accordance
with the custom. to sacrifice lamb he re-
fused to do it. "If that is the price OF the
throne," said he, laughing, II choose to re-
nounce it,"
The Sultan Abdul Medjid has conducted
the administration of Turkey upon the pol
icy of his eminent father. Called, when
vet a child, TO the exercise of absolute
bower in an immense empire, his father
bedueathed to him the overwhelming bur.
den of country weakened by unfortunate
wars and undermined by secret intrigues.
HIS first step on ascending the throne was
10 entirely reorganize the army. upon the
best European model. With the utmsst
liberality he granted to the Christians
uriyileges and immunities; he founded
schools where Catholics, Greeks, Amenians,
Jews, and Mussumen lire side by side. in
structed each by the ministers of their re.
spective religions, and attended each BY
persons Of the same religious persuasion
and .l,e grateful Christians contributed the
aid of the inexperience to all the reforms
of the young sovereign. They assisted hum
to establish his schools they organized his
armies; they exercised his navy. Thus has
been realized by the son that great saying
of the father, 81 wish my subjects TO be re-
coenized, the Muss almen only at the
mosuue, the Christian only at the church,
the Jew only at the synagogue" IE his
Reign takes have beer equaized, and the
general prosperity of the country SO much
advanced, that its population is annually
increased by immigrations of the subjects
of neighboring States, drawn to Turkey by
the comforts of an enlightened and COM
paratively free government. In carrying
out the new system of reform called Tan.
zimat, the present Sultan has encountered
the most formidable obstacles, both by re-
belIions at home and ambitious tyrants Of
other countries, who seek to despoil linn OF
rich and valuable territory. The reform
undertaken by the Sultan Mahfnoud, with
the design of giving unity to the Ottoman
Empire, ard pursued with an lmplacable
will through fire and blood. has been con-
tinued with singular good fortune by his
successor; but by means quite different
The mere exercise Of justices tempered BY
touching goodness, has suficed to the
Sultan Abdul Medjid for rallying around
his throne all the diverse races subjected
to him, and which little while ago im'
plored the succor of Europe. Reform has
been pursued with nnwearied atdor. The
amelioration of the discipline, the equip'
ment and the organization OF the army.
concessions in favor of the establishment OF
railroads and the creation of bank, were
about to place Turkey In position to en-
counter force as well as civilization. Once
entered into the family Of European inter!
est she would have eluded dill dangers by
the trahformation. To prevent this result,
at any price is the object Of the attack now
made upon her'
CoMtoRr FOR HoMELY WoMEN.-"Beau:
ty," says Lord Kames, "is dangerous
property, tending to corrupt the mind OF
the wife, though It suoh loses its iufuence
over the husband. A figure agreeable and
engaging; which inspires affection, without
the ebriety of love, is much safer choice.
The graces lose their influence, like beau:
ty. At the end of thirty years, virtuous
womah, who makes an agreeable compah'
ion, charms her husband more than at first;
The comparison of love to fire holds good
in one respect, that The fercer it burns the
sooner it is extinguished."
CONC ON A bENpER-The editor Of the
Florence (Ala.) Gazette tells his readers
that thew must not expect much editorial
mottsr fct q week, as one of his lady Sub.