The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-03

the chibouque" which one of the wives is de.
lightfully lighting for the lord and master, who
must smoke before he waits to eat a norsel.
The nights of Ramazan are spent in feasting,
frolicking, and shouting, to the ANNOYANCE of
all who wish to go to sleep within the city linn.
its.
To Ramszan succeeds the festival of Bairam,
which continues three days. This-as also
Ramazan-is ushered in by the firing of three
great guns, and general rejoicing and carni-
val follow. All the great men of the city re-
ceive calls on the first of these days, as the
bellies of New York city upon New Years. All
of these officials; which fees the foreign resi-
dents humorously call their " city taxes" as
they pay no direct taxes.
Our mission holds every spring its annual
meeting in Constantinope; and we have been
welcoming and entertaining the "pilgrims
from and toward the various stations further
inland than our own. At present rates, and
with present modes of travelling, journey to
the Capital is quite long and formidable af
fair; yet the wives and children of the mission
airy delegates thither frequently undertake and
enjoy it with their husbands and fathers. It
has been very pleasant to US, shut out, as we
usually are, FROM companionship with our
countrymen, to watch one cavalcade after
another defling into our yard. First come
tinkling along the loaded mules Of "kartur.
gs" (muleteers,) still a necessary evil to all
inland travellers. Next, on horseback, follows
some familiar form, whose friendly face is often
so sunburned and moustached that its best
friends in America would need two chances tc
recognise it; and glad greeting is at once In
terchsnged. But the "tahkter. wan," or the
maria" can never be far behind the " shelf
BIZ" and we spring forward with fresh eager,
ness to release the mamma and babies from,
an imprisonment of some hours in vehicle
not quite 80 commodious as an old country
wagon The "tabk.ter-wan" is a sort of cover
ed litter, swung lepgthwise between two mules:
the maria" double continuance on smalleS
scale, fastened over one strong mule, and bal
anced there by rider on either side. havi
never exchanged the saddle for either of thest
modes of conveyance, and hope never to BIZ
obliged to do so; yet they are invaluable t.
those who cannot safely or conveniently Jour
ney on horseback.
Then, when all have rested from the fatigue
of the day, what glad aud frank interchange
OF thoughts, feelings, experiences, and plane,
follow You, who know nothing about depr'>
walton of society, can scarcely realize hot
keenly we enjoy these pleasant "reminiscences
of American social life
"Sweet and short" they are, for missionaries
never have time to tarry by the way. So, early
in the pleasant morning amid the scolding cf
katurgis, tinkliDg of mule-bells, and braying Of
donkeys, we help our friends pack their effects
and themselves into the raiu-proof bags and
vehicles therefor provided, and speed the cav,
alcade on its tedious way. Thus, on cloud
less morning of last April, caught parting
wave from the dear hands of those who make
this spot home" to me; and-too busy to be
uofu he
household echoes, to welcome them back.
But the days of this slow travelling are, /
trust, already numbered among us. A RAILROAD
is projected, to span and mine these hoary cd
hills of Pontus. The mules, who have plodded
along patiently with their burdens for cent,-
rles, are soon, we hope, to be supplanted ard
distanced by the veritable "iron horse;" ard
the orthodox Turks of mountain and plain may,
at no very distant day, be aroused from tie
MONDAY siesta to excaim, with an emphasis
unfelt before during their calm lives, Mashsl-
lab God is great!"
This work is under the superintendenee Of
an English corporation, though the Govern
ment of Turkey is to bear portion of the ek
pense. Engineers and surveyors are earnestly
at work, with every prospect of coming to a.
successful issue. The main contractor, who,
passed several days with u.s. searched in vain
to find fitting path for the fire. breathing mon.
ster through the hills that grid about our city.
Too abrupt for a grade, and too gradual for
tunnel of reasonable length, was his concuL
sion. SO we must rest content to be left a lit
tie off the main track, with a branch road to
accommodate passengers and copper loads. To
Gle our English friend directed his steps. Thif
Is city some twenty miles west of US, on AZ
extensive plain = no other than that whereo !
old Caesar "c came, saw, and conquered;" as
near an approximation to railroad speed, prob =
ably, as these ancients we're capable of making.
Thither Mr.. Z. went, saw, and decreed TIA
the railroad - christened, by some one of it,
friends, the "Grsnd Asiatic Central Rail
road should wind its way, in case it finds a
"local habitation as well as "name." Tbs
road Is to begin at the seaport of Samsun, fn<
to extend inland, by way of the large towns, al
far as Sivas-probably in time, if prospered, t.
Bagdad. May its projection prove no empt !,
bubble; for II completed, even in the course g.
long years, it is sure to have an unprecedeute-
effect upon the face of this sluggish country, il.
whose bosom sleep energies which for ages M
one has thought of arousing. In the BILE
around this city, for instance, are iuexhaustS
BILE quarries of beautiful and excellent mar biz
Yet every building in the city, with one exeefr
ton, is made with mud-washed walls Thesa
barren, treeless hill-sides, too, will soon stats
into green life when market shall be prov>
ded for the products of enterprise. And wit3
enterprise will come increased intelligenctS
and with intelligence, and Gods blessing, SnSs
come new life to this nation. Every such sut'
dertaking is new ray of hope for Turkey.
But must close before quite exhaust yofr
patience. Accept the best wishes of hss
that can never cease to remember America
friends, especially on Independence Dayl'
Yours, truly, MARY IRVINE.