Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-06-26
miscellaneous.
MARRIAGE OF THE SULTAN's
DAUGHTERS.

/ been promised IN marriage. some Ofne ago. 10
Mahmoud Pasha, son Of Fethi Ahmed pasha,
Grand Master Of the Artillery; Ethem
| Pasha, son Of Mehemet Ali Pasha. Captain
/ Pasha; and FL Hami Pasha. son Of the late
/ Abbas Pasha, Viceroy Of Egypt. II had
/ been arranged that the ceremony should take
| place at the same time for the three at the
/ Palace Of Top-Kapou, or Scraglio Point,
which. although abandoned by the Sultaua as
a residence since the overthrow Of the Janis
saries, is still the traditional place where many
/ grand ceremonies are performed To this pail
ace, therefore, the Sultanas were 20 proceed
in state from Dolma Bakche, and to witness
the procession the harcms of Constantinople
had poured forth their inmates from an early
hour every window, every shop. every nook
whence il was possible to catch Wow Of the
procession. in the iong distance nom Dolma-
Bakche to Tup-Kapou, was covered with
Turkish women they were squatting all o.
round and all ono upon another decSed ont
in their gayest fereecs. of all the col0rs Of
the rainbow, topped with their white head
dresses, which contrasted with the black faces
Of their attendants. Wherever tho street
widonod it was lined with carriages, in which
were reclining the slaves and favorites of the
wealthy, and in many Of these was TO be no.
tcod a lovely face. reluctantly concealed be-
hind the curtains, which would now and then
be gently drawn aside by delicate white fingers
covered with gems to allow Of the admiration
of the European passer-by The Sultauas
left Dolma- Bakche at II A. NJ. At the head
Of the coriege was the Kisar Aga, or chief
of the black eunuchs. lie rode a superb
charger. magnifcently caparsoned he is
irightiully ugly, but his dress was so brilliant,
the gold was thrown over it in such profuse
masses, that it staid the eve, and prevented
his ugliucss being noticed. Then came the
three Sultanas, each in a state carriage gilt
tering with silver and gold. and drawn by
horses whose trappngs were also studded
with silver and gold ornaments. There were
cunuchs riding on all Sides and al in fine
clothes and on splendid horses Each Sulta-
ma was attended by her mother and by one
slave. As they drove rapidly past. blaze Of
diamonds flashed across the eyes. Then came
the other slaves and female attendants in a.
bout thirty carriages, vicing with their mis-
trossos In the splcudor of their dresses and
jewels, and many far surprising them in their
charms. Although the Sultanas went TO the
Seraglio in person. neither they nor their fu-
turc bridegrooms appear at the ceremony of
betrothal This is performed by procuration
The Kislar Aga represents the Sultan and the
Vizier, Redschid Pasha. represented the bride
grooms. The witnesses were Ria Pasha, the
Scraskier, Chefk Pasha, Of the Mint and
Ali Chalb Pasha. son-in-law Of the Sultan
Like every Turkish father, the Sultan stipu-
latos the sum his son-in-law is to pay for his
daughter, and this sum becomes her dowry.
This was fixed at 5000 Turkish pounds in
this instance. The marriage contract Is read
before the witnesses, prayers stu pronounced,
and the first chapter Of the Koran read, and
this part Of the ceremony is over. The Sui
tanas return TO their residence. and arc fol-
lowed there by the presents offered by their
fpaces The presents are by no means the
least important part of the ceremony. and are
taken to the Imperial Palace in great state.
First. three beautiful Arab chargers, maguih-
Gently caparsoned. were led past. The sad
dle-cloths were of the handsomest embroidery
in precious stones | over saw. even in this
land of cmbroderics These were present
TO the Sultan himself from his future sons-in-
law. Then came the presents to the Sultana'
themselves first swectmeats OF all sorts
contained in covered china vessels; five OF
these vessels are put on a tray, and a cage o.
hoops and guaze Of various coiors, trimmed
gaily with ribbons and flowers, covers the
tray, which is borne on a mans head. A hun
past from each bridegroom. Then came Other
trays larger, ten in number on which were
placed shawls and articles of dress ten pieces
of richest brocade OF silver and gold were
among the dresses offered by Eli Hami Pasha
and various rich cashmere shawls. TheI
came two carriages in each of which ther,
e was an enormous Golfer covered with velye
and ornamented with silver plates, full o
, costly perfumeries. Then came the NOR
a precious articles on tea-trays covered with
cage surmounted, in those sent by FL Ham
Pasha, by golden eagle with spread wings
n As the presents offered by Ell Ham Pash
were by far the most costly and tasteful,
will content myself with describing these
: First, the $4,000 dowry was carried past il
r. five red satin bags on i've trays. Then tn
head-dress for the bride ON her wedding da
3 IA gold and silver knot for supporting tn
- hair at the back of the head, and band O
. velvet, embroidered in brilliants and pearls
with verse of the Koran for the front. The
the veil of silk which is thrown over tn
bride, embroidered in pearls and brilliants
C and with 700 carats of brilliants on it,-the
n the slippers, also one mass of pearls and dia
IS monds. and the patteus used in the bath, GOV
e cred with gold and precious stones,-then Oh
e round toilet glass of which the back was
r. plate of gold beautifully worked, and ais
studded with precious stones Precious stone
e were scattered in profusion in all the article
Ie of everyday use, so to speak, but now cam
70 the Jewels themselves,-a splendid damon
d tiara, very high, and long enough to go roun
the back of the head, with large bunch {
e flowers in diamonds dropping over the rigf
ear; this had been set at Paris, and was beat
,r tiful in design, as well as costly. A pair {
"a diamond earrings, with diamond drops
y great size and perfectly oval shape Thes
N gems, without an equal in the world, ha
" been the property of El Hami Pashas iathe
and had been procured for him in India las
l. ". ring with one very large diamond, ais
'd of perfect shape and color. Numerous oth'
< articles of less importance, though of gre
beauty, were offered by I'll Hami Pasha, WI
lie spared neither money nor trouble to find pre-
IN ents for his bride suited to his immen
1t wealth. 1t is calculated that in jewels aloI
oh he has spent over fl20,000 sterling. II
he same articles pretty nearly were offered to Il
ie other Sultanas by Mahmoud Pasha, and
~. U4.o,, posho. but of course. they did M