The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-06-14


with crimson velvet. The highly gilt
stern and PROV ran up with grace
full curve and sharp eutwater; while,
perched on a standard near the bow,
was a well carved eagle, graspIng, In
its giant claws, a serpent OF similar
rich carving and gliding: me royal
chariot was also highly gilt, Dut Win
its four good horses made no more
display, than many a private carriage
In Hyde Park. London, Inc noun
ed escort looked soldleriy ana rOoe
we'll. An attendant held hne. pony
with small saddle and short stlTrups
for the Sultan's son. The Greek
Guard ia the richest blue and gold
uniform had meantime formed two
lines awaiting commands, aud not
knowing whether the Sultan would re-
thru By carriage to the European
Palace, or cross the Bosphorus in
one of his caiks, to visit the Sultana
In her Asiatic residence, equally pala-
tial with his own in material and
finish, all of them being more in the
European style of architecture finish
and furniture, than the residence OF
any other Turks.
At length his Majesty, who admires
many European usages and dresses
al we do, except in the use of the
Turkish FEE" left the mosk on the
water side, and passing between the
files of his guard (who, instead of
presenting arms, held the weapon In
the right hand, and with deep bend
Of the body and low sweep of the
head, made q salute almost to the
ground), entered his caik and sped
across the Bosphorus. Immediately,
hiring a caik, we did the same. aud at
the Sweet Waters of Asia" saw
something of Turkish aFistocfacy.
The wealthiest and noblest ladies oo-
lcnpied about half an acre of ground,
elevated SO that, when they were seat
ed in yelled spleRdor OF rich Turkey
carpets, and we walked around the
masonry which supported the raised
ground, our faces were about on a
level with theirs. As the present
fashion in Turkey (but not in Eggpt)
permits thin wells to be used, covering
the forehead to the eyes, while anoth-
er gossamer article Is wound round
the neck, chin and mouth, even con-
eealiug most of the nose, we had an
opportunity of seeing as much as
could be distinguished of their fea-
lures. They seemed to possess fair
average ofgood looks and intelligence,
but were generally pale aud rather
languid looking. Their figures, when
we saw them walking. were shapeless,
as their garments are quite loose. and
their gait is awkward and shutting,
as they wear large morocco boots,
thrust into slippers without heels.
Men with bread, spieed With cara
way seeds and and made in rings, so
as to hang on poles. carried round
these articles for. sale; also persons
with fruits and candies weighed their
merchandise on scales for such as
desired TO purchase.
Another Friday, when In Constan
tinople, after our return from the
Crimea. We were fortunate enough to
have favorable opportunity of visit
ing the DerVishes. l wrote an ac-
count of these and of various other
Incidents connected with our travels,
for the New York Tribune. That
description was inserted in the Semi
Weekly, where six letters also APP
peared; but, as | learn they were seen
by few in the West, / will transcribe,
with some modification, the account
I therein gave of
THE WHIRLING AND HoWLING DER
WISHES.
In my wanderings among the works
of Censtantinople, witnessed at one
of them, with all the amused bewilder-
ment, which such scene gives to the
mind of a stranger, the spectacle of
the dancing Dervishes. Let me de-
scribe it to you. The centre of the
work is rallied 10, and the floor re-
markedly smooth. After prostrating
themselves many times, while one of
them sings or chants, they advance
toward the head priest, clothed in a
long skirt, covered by an outer brown
garment, and having on their heads a
high, conical felted hat, then bend
the upper half of the body, until
it is horizontal, kneel, and
finally place their foreheads on the
ground. Then they rise, facing
their leader, who stands on the altar
side of the mosk, and after alterna-
tions of singings and prostrations,
music Is commenced on a kind of |
fageolet, the outer brown garment is |
thrown aside. andthe Dervishes stand |
ready, in short white troWsers and |
white skirt, festooned at the waist |
and extending to the knee, to CON-
mence, with bare feet on the smooth |
floor, whirling at the given signal, the |
eyes being shut and head inclined on |
one side. The first movement is to |
turn the right foot over the left, toes |
inward as if club footed, raising at
the same time the left heel, having /
given an impetus to the /
left foot when raising the right. This
is the entire motion, continued sue
eessively about every two turns made
while revolving almost on an axis,
and yet advancing gradually in their
orbit toward the altar. AfterWard,
as their zeal increases, perhaps one
such intoed movement suffices to
They consider this as symbolizing
eternity and the vicissitudes of life;
while the right hand extended, palm
up, implores gifts from heaven, which
the left hand, turned downward, is
to be distributing to fellow
the self-sacrifcing Dervish
retaining few of the temporal gifts
Tor himself. The whole scene is
solemn, and when they stop WhirliUg,
1t a signal, and march round, bowling
10 their leader without turning their
pack on him, they are often graceful,
md always meek and earnest.
OF the bowling Dervishes, had no
previous adequate conception, and it
s difficult to do the scene anything
ike justice, although, after relieving
ourselves of our boots, we were led
o gallery and comfortably seated,
Turk fashion, on sheepskins, where {
re had full opportunity to see and {
n Il .un--hsrn. L. - :.