Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-02
Special Correspondence Of the Nashville Union and


ISM Oh " nhFaAbRs
X.
Special Correspondence Of the Nashville Union and
American.
CONsTANTINOPLE, -, 1S70.-The Sui,
. tan as becomes a good Mussclman is quite
regular in the observance of the Mahom-
medsR Sunday, which you are aware cor
responds to our Friday. 1t was the good
fortune of the writer to see how well the
Sultan keeps his Sunday, so far as seeing
his Majesty ride a few hundred yards,
could enable one to determine upon his
religious character. Early in the morn
ing notice was sent to the hotels of what
mosque would be honored on the particu-
lar day in question by the Head of all the
Faithful. My party being eager, of course,
to see the lion of the lions of the East,
procured a guide and were off to the scene
of action without delay. When the
palace was reached the Sultan had
not made up his mind as to
what gate he would go out by,
so we had to remain for some time,
uncertain whether the man who owns so
many wives would be hOnored by having
Tenne sseans gaze at him. But while
waiting, there was quite enough TO keep
one engaged. Numbers of carriages filled
with Olelginous looking, stained eyed,
finely dressed Turkish women were con-
SANITY passing and then had to be exam
ined. Now and then they would give
sly peep, when they thought unhOly eyes
would not see them, but they invariably
had to draw in very soon. A woman in
fine clothes, and especially with stained
eyes, is an institution TO be looked at
under all circumstances when the hazard
is not too great, and besides some one
who knew has written that stolen waters
are sweet. l believe it. Then there
were the Albanian guards of the Sultan
who were quite as extraordinary in ap-
pearance as the women. These fellows
are the fiashiest swells | have seen. The
principal feature about them is the gold
lace on their jackets and their dress from
the waist down. 1 have spent about
two and half hours, off and
on, trying to get up words for
the description. The only result al
rived at is that if you will take about
forty petticOats, place them over each
other and cut them in holes you will have
the trOwsers of this guard. There was a
feminine feature about their dress but not
about their faces, for they had quite a
daredevil air. They are soldiers for
money. If their pay is in proportion to
their dress, no wonder Turkey is sick.
There are several other styles of uniform
and all are quite as costly, except that of
the common infantry and cavalry soldier.
Several regiments had assembled to see
that no one disturb their master. These
formed on both sides of the street from
the palace TO the mosque. After some
time it was announced that the departure
would be from a different gate from the
one at which we stood. To this We
rushed, which when reached we found
an unfavOrable position, for no one
was allowed to stand near enough TO see
the show. 1t was then determined TO 60
to the mosque, near which a good place,
free from disturbance was found. Here,
in a square facing on the entrance TO the
mosque was Sound an infantry regiment
OF very clean looking Turks. The Turks
look like they ought TO 100 good pluck, fol
they are young, well formed and strong
In body; at least seem so. Here OnCC
more | had time to think. But the think
ing was too much inclined to discuss what
these savage looking chaps might do to a
Christian fellow if they chose; so the
thinking was stopped. Ones mind gets
him into some awful hairscraps now anc
then. Soon after my station was taken 8
closed wagon, drawn by four horses drove
up ! supposed it contained a few of the
3, a., caaipF
several large boxes taken from i
q feeling OF sorrow began TO arise,
for the poor creatures who were though
TO be almost smOthCred by Thu
time. Being eager TO be well-infOrmcC
when human flesh, and wOman's at that
vas at stake, inquiry was made as 70 The
contents of the boxes. 1t was found, L
my relief, that they contained the carpets
rugs, censers, prayer-bOoks, Koran, etc,
used when the Sultan was try ing for few
minutes to be good. Fresh, bright sane
was thrown in front of the door, splendid
carpets were spread and incense place.
near the entrance. But hush and bark
call is made to the soldiers; all are II
position in a moment with arms at pre-
sent Down the ranks l looked, and saw
middle-sized, rather pOrtly, gray-bcard
ed man on white horse riding towar,
ne. This was the Sultan. We'll, though
!. man who has so good and generous
face ought to be a good husband, If h
has a chance, and this one certainly has
and good ruler with good opportunity
which is doubtful. The suItal
did not look so bloated am
unmanly as had been expected, but seeme'
10 be as vigorous as any Tennessee well
TODD farmer you can find. There was
handsome, Jolly appearance on his coun
tcltnce that was pleasing, and no doub
III .Ses him quite popular with the admir-
cTs Of such blessings. He was ATTENDED
by a numerous staff finely dressed, {
squad of horsemen, and those dashint
bows from Albania on foot. The hors
ridden by the Sultan was quite cOmmo
in appearance, though said to be the bes
of his stud. He pad a large price 70
him, and was badly bitten if looks g,
far. The officials who had arranged tbu
mosque having formed in Fl nj Of tina
building bowed to the ground, and the SO
diers CheerCd as the big man passed.
seemed to a plain American that SaCl
proccdure was calculated TO knock a mau
T,i;gious thoughts out Of him, but may b
tins part was quite as religious in th
Sultan's eyes as any ether portion.
If there were aTy expert hOrscme
present, they were delighted at seeing ho'