Eastern times., 1855-11-22
The Feast of Sacrifice.

Rev. G. N. Fighter, in them. Y. Observ-
er, gives the following account of Moham-
medan festival which occurred while he was at
Constantinopie, in August last -
+" As was passing through one the streets
of Stamboul, few days since, saw large
number of sheep collected in the great square,
also in the court and upon the steps of the
mosque. / inquired of friend, why is this
He said it was day before Courban Bairam,
the Feast of Sacrifice, one of the principal
Mohammedan festivals, when every family
who can afford it must kill sheep, and the
rich must distribute them to the poor. I also
learned that it was a religious festival, in
which sheep and camels were sacrificed TO
Allah and the Prophet by the faithful, and
special rights were observed. The next morn
ing we were awakened before dawn by the fir
ing Of cannon on all sides, that ushered in the
first day of Bairam. l walked out and visited
one of the large mosques, and found it illumi-
mated with hundreds of lamps and filled with
Mussulman worshippers, prestrating them
selves in prayer. AS came out, the stars
began to fade in the sky, and the morning
light was breaking in the east. The Pashas
in their caiques were now moving toward the
old seraglio palace, and | also joined in the
train, TO witness the scene. As we reached
the landing and walked up the hill, many bus
tied past in greater or less state, according to
their rank in office or dignity, and hastened to
the ceremony. Upon reaching the court Of
the palace, found it filled with Arab cavalry
in full suits of armor, and Turkish soldiers
drawn up in line on either side. The pashas
and ulemas on horseback in their state dress
and decorations, were in the center, surround
ed by their train of servants and retainers-
The plumed horses of the Sultan were now led
forth, and soon came the Grand Seignor under
the Sublime Porte, in the midst of his impe-
rial guards, bearing the plumes and brazen
standards of royalty. A herald precedes him
shouting, Long live the Sultan and the cry
is caught up by the whole line of soldiers as
he passes. His eunuchs and ministers of the
divan follow in his immediate train, and the
whole procession moves to the state mosque oi
1 Ahmed TO perform the devotions of Bairam.-
A the door of the mosque, the Turkish guard
refused TO admit small company of English
and American gentlemen, but they insisted
upon their right to enter; whereupon the Sui
tan came from his private room and beckonet
to his officers to conduct them in the mosque
and TO position in front of the high altar te
witness the ceremony. Thus proving that the
bigoted prejudices of the Turks against Chris
tians are fast passing away. The service:
we're conducted by the Sheik Islam, and con
sisted of prayers, singing, and prostrations be
| fore Allah by the multitude The Sultan an(
his ministers occupied latticed apartment
above, and observed the same forms as the
worshippers below.
As we came out into the large open cour
OF the mosque, the ladies of the harem wert
driven up in their golden and silver carriages
to grace the procession. First came the chic
Sultana, drawn by four black horses, and two
other Sultanas, dressed in the richest silks ant
brilliant with diamonds Of surprising beauty
Then the princess, the Sultan's daughter, "a sia
Ueiled, and wearing head dress of many Jew
els; and many others, with costly fans an,
gems which female taste might covet, display
ing the rarest beauty of the Orient The Sui
tan and his guard now returned to the inne
court of the seraglio, where he seated himsel