The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-14
The Empress Observation-Disclosures Of Her
Eastern Pilgrimage.

Eugene to Constantinople Nothing of the
kind in ancient or modern times exceeds the
splendor Of the reception of this royal lady by
the Sultan-no, not even the reception Of the
Queen of Sheba by King Solomon-and no
similar event in history has been more sgnif-
cant in an international, political and social
point of view. In reading the graphic descrip-
tons of our correspondent at CoGstantinope,
in the several letters which have been pub
ished in the HERALD, of the arrival of the
Empress at the Golden Horn, of the magnif-
cent reception of her by the Sultan, of the
| gorgeous entertainments, lavish expenditures
and brilliant tstes to honor her, and of the
| enthusiasm of the people, it seems more like
the beautiful creation Of the Imagination than
reality. No dream of the Oriental mind
ever revealed in scenes more grand and poetic.
The gorgeous Arabian Nights tales are dmmed
in comparison. Yet it is all real. Every
word is historically true.
Every circumstance or incident connected
with the visit of the Empress to Constantinople
is full of interest and suggestive of great ideas
bearing upon the present remarkable age and
the future. All the events are particularly in
harmony with the progress and spirit of the
times, with the commanding position of the
Emperor Napoleon, with the charming charac-
ter and influence of Eugene, with the noble
and liberal Sultan of Turkey and with the
famous historical and poetic spot where they
TRANSFERRED. In the days of ancient chivalry
and great wars between Europe and Asia
between Christendom and Mohammedanism-
this was the battle ground In more modern
times it has been constant subject Of dispute
and jealousy among the great nations. 1t has
been the seat of mighty empires, and from its
position on the confines of Europe and Asia it
dominated both continents. The site of Con-
stantinople and the command of the Bosphorus
and Dardenelles in the hands of q great and
ambitious nation In modern times would place
to great extent both Europe and Asia at
the mercy of such Power. The Cars of
Russia saw this and had their eyes con-
stantiy fixed on that spot and their
policy always directed to the acquisition
of it. The most terrible conflict of the
age, and, perhaps, in history, that of the
stantinople on the part of Russia, and for the
defence and preservation Of it under the rule
Of Turkey on the part of allied Europe. But
all the chivalry that surrounded this famous
historical ground in early times, all the great
wars that have been fought there or In connec-
ton with it, and all the poetry and romance
associated with it do not exceed in interest
and significance this event of the Empress
Eugenie's voyage to Constantinople and the
chivalry displayed by the Sultan.
Our correspondent says when the Empress
took leave of the Sultan on board of her own
steamer, and when his Majesty pressed her
hand for the last time and babe her farewell,
she was deeply affected and tears filled her
eyes, How beautiful was this And how
natural. Though she is the most exalted lady
in the world and fills larger space in the
eyes of the world than any other, she has all
the fine sensibilities of womans nature. The
chivary of the Sultan, the generous and easy,
though respectful bearing of all toward her,
and the exclamations Of delight from the people
wherever she went sunk deep into her heart
Never will she think of the thrilling scene when
she went up the Bosphorus to the sValley
of Heavenly Waters" without emotion, for
there she was greeted with admiration and
warmth Of feeling by the crowds of people and
elegant ladies of the highest families in Turkey.
AS she mingled with and moved slowly about
among them they assembled round her and
exclaimed, "Mashallah Mashallah!" How
beautiful, How beautiful" How could this
charming woman help being touched on leaving
when she remembered this. Then a new
world was opened to her-a world that inspired
her fine Imagination, aroused her womanly
sympathies and laid open to her sensitive mind
a wonderful future, of which she had In that
| very visit become an important instrument.
We cannot yet realize the surprising effect
the voyage of Eugene to Constantinople and
the East must have upon the social and politi-
cal condition of Turkey, as well as upon the
policy of France and Europe generally with
regard to the Turkish empire and questions
affecting the East. The barriers Of exclu-
siveness and religious prejudice which had
existed for ages and had made Mohammedans
and Christians hate each other were partially
broken down when the Sultan visited Paris !;
but this visit Of the Empress has shaken them
to the very foundation. When the Sultan
gave his arm to Eugene and cordially pressed
her hand in the presence Of the most
bgoted Mohammedans, and the Turkish
people exclaimed, in admiration, "Bravo,
our noble sovereign" the night Of
centuries Of dark prejudice and igno-
rance was swept away. From that
moment new age was opened, and the world
made extraordinary strides to o better and
happier state. 1t was the opening of that
seal when the millennium should commence
when the religious prejudices and intolerance