The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-03-16
Description of the Sultan.
BIZ MISS BREMER.

The Sultan passes by In his caique, on his
way TO his devotions and now the Imperial
flotilla approaches. Now it is on a line with
us; first large white caique. with upwards
OF twenty rowers, all Of whom with every
stroke OF the oar rise up and make a bow to
the great ruler himself as il otherwise they
would not keep the true course. He sits upon
his throne of velvet and gold with his canopy
over his head little man, in q dark coat and
dark red feZ He is in lively conversation with
couple OF gentlemen who attend him, and
uses much action of the hand He casts merely
side glance at our little caique, so that can
but indistinctly discriminate his features. No
matter am sure to see him as he comes out
OF the mosque. The Imperial caiqne, with its
measured oar strokes. flies over the waves
Seven or eight lesser caiQ ues follow with min
listers. generals, and the gentlemen Of the court.
The Imperial caique now lies at the shore
empty. The Sultan is in the mosque, which
is a small one, with its minaret hidden
amongst the trees. We land, and place our
selves on the shore, at the entrace of the mos
que. A military officer points out a 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 a European dress and straw hat
will not, however, 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 she 7
The wife, we are informed, of one of the di-
rectors Of the Sultan's chapel. "He was an
Italian" continued our informant, "who
having made present to one of the ladies of
the Sulfan's harem has not since been seen in
the palace. Two weeks are now past, during
which his wife has inQ uired after him eyery-
where, had him advertised in the daily paper,
and is now here to ask the Sultan to what place
her husband has been removed" She is not
handsome, and very corpulent but her pale
countenance her children, and her story, give
her an interest.
We have stood waiting outside for about
three quarters of an hour listening to the MUIR
mnring, hal singing voices within, when we
perceive indications that the Sultan is about
10 leave the mosque. Military officers of high
rank range themselves on the steps; the guards
draw up closely on both sides Of the short dis
tance between the mosque and the shore. 1t is
evident, from the expression of all their cOun.
tenances, that they are standing ready to bow
their heads before their ruler. Every one is
silent and hnshed in expectation Of his APP
proach. 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.
daIk red cap with Il long black tassel on his
head, and a pale, unpleasing countenance
comes down the steps with as little dignity as
a shopman. Can that really be the Sultan!
Yes, it must he the Sultan, because the ell
derby military personages by his side reply
with an expression Of deep reverence to some
remarks of the little man, and the stout lady
with the children steps h3stiIy forward into
his path. as If she would stop his further ad-
vance.
1e SEtTtS, WukeS 4 DaIl step BACKWARD. and
contracts his eyebrows most threateningly.-
Yet he listens to what she has to say, but tens
with gloomy expression, and then casts an
inqniring glance on his brother law the
High Admiral. He utters few words of ex-
PLANTATION, struggling his shou lders, and then
another word or 50, which seem to saw.
wv hat do l know about your husband pa
motions the stout lady out of the way, and
walks on to the shore, talking gaily 70 the |
entlemen who attend him. He steps into the |
caique, from which the canopy has been re- |
moved, puts on his gloves, distorts his face in |
looking up at the sun, and SO doing exhibits
teeth; while his plain, unin-
countenance, assumes q most disa-
greeab bic expression. This then. is the man
W no is called "Gods Shadow on the Earth,
and who rules with absolute sway over the
lives and happiness OF thirty.dye millions of
luman beings.
have seen many crowned heads, but none
who seem to me SO devoid OF dignity, so devoid
iod on Earth" Nevertheless, the throne
must produce an effect either for good or evil |
Travellers who see Abdul Mediid only ut pub
nc audiences, usually observe merely the lite |
less, automatic character of his exterior l
now saw him under other circumstances He
was lively, and his cOuntenance, although
pale, indicated more youthful strength and
leaitn than had been led to expect. "This
s." was told, because within the last few
ears he has drank something stronger than
champagne, and this has given Inn strength
BESIDES, he was to-day i'll good hamor. But
le generally looks very gloomy"
For the res, Abdul M did has the Turkish
amily features, the oval countenance, with
omewhat prominent cheekbones, the nose
,rOAd at the nOstriis and arched the dark
brown, we'll cut, but not large eyes, and finely
,encilied eyebrows. They struck me as finest
when contracted with their threatening ex.
and the countenance then appeared
most significant. Ii they could contract with
grave earnestness, Abdul Medjid would be a
nan of high character. Naturally mild of
disposition, n good son, good brother, unwill-
ng, although despot, to sign a death war
ant. Abdul Nedjid Is not wanting in the
otter feelings. That which he wants is real
real strength. So, at least, il
GEMS to me. He does not throw himself Sc.
iously into anything but lets all 70 as it NAV |
nd will. "Allah Kerim ~ God is great and
oes that which He will. Let US enjoy the
ay and the hour. And enjoyments for the
'ay and hour are not yet wanting to the Sui
IN ms gilded caique, attended by the white
io.hia the sultan crosses the opposite shore
y the bosphorus, where a little stream forms
~ saIey, called by the Europeans the Sweet
- >, sIs OF ASIA" Here are the Champs
-. s sees OF tonstantinople, more especially
- ,,s turkish Constantinopie, where its great
"vnu promenades every festival day; and |
~, ~" On the shores Of the Bosphorus has All ,
.aa MeoJid built himself an elegant Eiosk.
~ne r ne - accustomed to spend hour with
% z NJ q Val