Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-27
Description of the Sultan
BY MISS BREMEp.

BY MISS BREMER.
The Sultan passes by in his caique on his way
to his devotions /; and now the Imperial fiotilla
approaches. Now it is on line with us first
a large white caique, with upwards of twenty
rowers, all of whom with every stroke of the
oar rise up and make bow to the great ruler
himself. as if otherwise they would not keep the
true course. He sits upon his throne of velvet
and gold with his canopy over his head-a lit
tie man, in a dark red fez He is in lively con-
versation with couple of gentlemen who at
tend him, and uses much action of the hand.-
He casts merely side glance at our little caique
so that I can but indistinctly discriminate his
features. No matter; | am sure to see him as
he comes out of the mosque. The Imperial
caique with its measured oar strokes, flies over
the waves. Seven or eight lesser caiques follow
with ministers, and the gentlemen of the court
The Imperial caique now lies at the shore
empty The Sultan is in the mosque, which
is small one, with its minaret hidden amongst
the. trees. We land, and place ourselves on the
shore, at the entrance of the mosque. militia
ry officer points out place to us very politely,
and keeps back the people who press too close
to the steps. Guards are stationed between
them and the shore. A stout lady, in Europe
an dress and straw hat, will not, hewever, be
kept back by any one. She is dressed in half
mourning, and she holds little boy and girl by
either hand She places herself close to the
steps of the mosque, nor will she be thrust aside
by the guards, who wish her to take lower
place. and they at length leave her where she
is. Who is she2 The wife, we are informed, of
one of the directors of the Sultan's chapel. "He
was an Italian" continued our informant, "who,
having made present to one OF the ladies of the
Sultan's harem, has not since been seen in the
palace. Two weeks are now past, during which
his wife has inquired after him everywhere, had
him advertised in the daily paper, and is now
here to ask the Sultan to what place her hus-
and very corpulent; but her pale countenance,
her children, and her story, give her an interest.
We have stood waiting outside for aboutthree
quarters OF an hour listening to the murmur-
ing, half-singing voices within, when we per-
ceive indications that the Sultan is about to
leave the mosque Military officers of high rank
range themselves on the steps; the guards draw
up closely on both sides of the short distance
between the mosque and the shore. 1t is evil
DENT from the expression of all their counte-
nances, that they are standing ready to bow
their heads before their ruler. Every one is 81
lent and hushed in expectation of his approach.
And now all the glances of the noble gentlemen
on the steps are raised and their heads bow
down. A little man in a dark coat, and dark
red cap with long black tassel on his head, and
a pale, unpleasing countenance, comes down the
steps with as little dignity as shopman. Gan
that really be the Sultan2 Yes it must be the
Sultan, because the elderly military personages
by his side reply with an expression oi deep rev.
erence to some remarks of the little man, and
the stout lady with the children steps hastily
forward into his path, as if she would stop bis
further advance. He starts, makes q half step
backward, and contracts his eyebrows most
Yet be listens to what she has
to say, but listens with gloomy expression, and
then casts an inquiring glance on his brother-in-
law, the High Admiral. He utters few words
of explanation, struggling his shoulders, and
then another word or so, which seem to say,
"What do | know about your husband a"-mo-
tiOns the stout lady out OF the way, and walks
on to the shore, talking gaily to gentlemen who
attend him. He steps into the caique, from
which the canopy has been removed, puts on
his gloves, distorts his face in looking up at the
sun, and doing exhibits tobacco-stained teeth; !;
while his plain, uninteresting countenance as
sumes a most dsagreeable expression. This,
then, is the man, who is called "God's Shadow
on The Earth, and who rules with absolute sway
over the lives and happiness of thirty-fve mil
lions OF human beings.
have seen many crowned heads, but none
who seemed to me so devoid OF dignity, SO de-
voin of anything remarkable, as this SHADOW of
God on Earth Nevertheless, the throne must
produce an effect either tor good or evil. Trav-
elers who see Abdul Medjid only at public au-
dience usually observe merely the lifeless autom-
attic character of his exterior. | now saw him
under other circumstances. He was lively, and
his countenance, although pale indicated more
youthful strength and health than I had been
slvt = - IL
within the last few years he has drunk some
thing stronger than champagne, and this has
given him strength. Besides, he was to-day in
good Lumor. But he generally looks very
gloomy"
For the rest, Abdul Medjid has the Turkish
family features, the oval countenance, with
somewhat prominent cheekbones, the nose broad
at the nostrils and arched, the dark brown, well
cut, but not large eyes, and finely penclled eye
brOws They struck me as finest when contract
ed with their threatening expression, and the
countenance then appeared most significant. If
they could contract with grave eartnestness,
Abdul Medjid would be man of high character
Naturally mild of disposition, a good son, good
brother, unwilling although despot, to sign
death warrant. Abdul Mediid is not wanting
in the softer feelings. That which he wants is
real earnestness, real strength. So, at least, it
Sc6iuS GO lu0. ho OO0S uOt' tufOW ulfHSciI ocIi-
ously into anything, but lets all go as it may and
will. .'Allah Kerim!" God is great, and does
that which He will. Let us enjoy the day and
the hour. And enjoyments for the day and
hour are not yet wanting to the Sultan. In his
gilded caique, attended by the white fotilla, the
Sultan crosses to the opposite shore OF the Bos-
phorous where little stream forms valley,
called by the Europeans the ''Sweet Waters of
Asia" Here are the ''Ohamps Elysees" of Con-
stantinople, more especially of the Turkish Con
stantinople, where its great world promenades
every festival day 8; and now on the shores of the
Bosphorus, has Abdul Medjid built himself an
elegant kiosk, where he is accustomed to spend
hours with his Sultanas.
GREAT MEN.-Homer was beggar Plautus
turned mill; Terence was a slave; Boethius
died in JAIL Paul Borghese had fourteen trades,
yet starved with them all Tasso was often dis
tressed for few shillings Cervantes died of
hunger; Camens, the writer OF the 'Lusisd,