The Republican journal., 1872-08-08
An Eastern Stratagem.

OF the North advances slowly and surely
! toward the prey destined long AGO to be
his. 1t is n question of time only. All
that vast territory north and west of the
| Golden Horn will be Muscovitc. SO be
! it. Meanwhile, anything which throws
| light upon a power that never changes
and people that never improves cannot
| be without its use.
| There is no intention of taking the
reader of this article through the intrica-
cies of an Oriental plot. The story, true
in all its principal features, illustrates the
precarious tenure by which power is held
in the East. The slave of to-day has
| often been the sultan of the morrow :;
| while, on the other hand, the despot whose
throne in the morning seemed beyond the
risk of overthrow has before the setting
of the sun been a mass of ltcless clay. 1t
were doubtless suhjccting all the details
OF the following to too severe Il standard
to try them by a strict historical test, al
though in their broad features they graph
ically photograph the truth.
In the year 1865 Of the IIeeira-corre-
spending to 1857 of the Christian era-on
the second day of the feast Of Hciram, a
large group of Mussulmans were as
Sembled in a circle before the mosque OF
st. Sophia. Some We're standing, and
others sitting cross-leggpd on carpets
spread upon the sand. BY degrees the
group increased as the Moslems issued
from the mosque. and US pas>er~-hv,
prompted by curiosity, remained 10 see
what was going on. Every eye was
turned toward one point with a look of
| expectation, but a cloud of blush smoke
slowly rising lii the air proved that the
qualification of their curiosity was not the
only pleasure which these Mussulmans
enjoyed.
In the midst of this crowd of smokers
young man of remarkably handsome
features. though somewat bronzed by an
Asiatlc sun, was seated before a small
table, which was covered with swords
and brass balls. He was dressed in
| close Jacket OF green silk, admirably fitted
to set off his light and graceful figure; Il
girdle of antelope skin, on which some
mysterious characters were inscribed in
silver confined pair OF loose trowscrS
which were drawn close at the ankle
This light and attractive dress was com
pleted by a Phrygian cap, from the top OF
which hung Il small musical bell. BY
this costume, at once graceful and fam
tastic, it was easy TO recognize one of
those jugglers whom the feast OF Bciram
drew every year to Stamboul, and TO
whom was usually given the name Of Zin-
gar0.
The spectators soon became so numer-
ous that many found it difficult to get even
glimpse of the iuggler's tricks. The
brass balls, glittering in the sun, We're fly
ing round his head with amazing rapdity,
| aud formed every variety of figures ut his
| pleasure. The ease and grace with which
he performed these wonders gave promise
of still greater. At length, allowing the
balls to drop one after the other into a re-
sounding vase at his feet, he armed him
self with a yataghan. Selling the brilliant
hilt, he drew the blade from the scabbard
studded with gems, and deNterously
whirling it over his head, made rs it were.
a thousand flashes of lightning sparkle
around him. The Mussulmans slowly
bowed their heads in token of approba-
ton, but uttered not Il word
The iuggler continued his exploits with
out appearing to notice the admiration he
excited. He next took Il pigeons egg
from small moss basket, struck it with the
edge OF his sword without iniuring the
shell. An incredulous bystander took the
egg to examine it, but the slight pressure
of his fingers served to destroy the frai
object that had resisted the blow of the
scimetar. Then, taking off his Phrygian
cap, the prestidigitator disclosed large
clear forehead shaded by locks OF lefty
blackness. Placing upon his bare head q
helmet of steel, which he first submitted
to the circle for inspection, he made the
curved weapon fly around him with such
fearful velocity that he appeared for L
moment TO be enyeloped within the lu-
minous circles 1t described Presently
the sword appeared to dcviate and orazed
the hair of the hol Ter. Some Franks
present turned pale and closed their eyes
against the dreaded sight, but the Jug
gler's hand was sure. The yatashan
which had spared the pigeons egg. had
severed in two the pyramid Of steel.
This act Of deXterity was followed by
many others no less perilouS. The bold
ness of the young man terrified the usually
impassive Turks; and, what was yet more
surprising, he made them smile bv the
amusing stories he related Persons of
his profession We're generally silent, and
their only power of amusement lay in
their fingers ends but this man possessed
the varied qualities OF an Indian iugger
and an Arabian story teller. He paused
after almost every trick to continue a tale,
again to be interrupted by fresh displays
of his power, thus by turns delighting
the eyes and ears Of his audience
One OF the most enthusiastic admirers
OF the performance was man apparently
about forty years old, whose carpet was
placed in the first circle, and whose dress
denoted him to be of superior rank. 1t
was the Bostangi-Bassa, superintendent
of the gardens and keeper of the privv
purse to the grand signior The tricks
ended, the young man completed his story
and gathered up his impliments as if to
depart
''Stopn' said the Bostangi-Bassa
''Since you are such magician, will you
tell me the sultan's favorte flower" ?"
''The poppy of Aleppo; it is red" re-
piled the iuggler, without moments
hesitation.
eat what time does the sultan sleep?"
resumed the Bostangi
''Neverr' said the luggler.
The Bassa started and looked anxiously
around him, fearing lest other ears had
heard this answer. Then beckoning the
juggler to approach and lowering his
voice, he asked, 'FCan you name the sui
tan's favorite wife?'
"Assarach," replied the diviner
The Bostangi put his fingers on his lips
in token OF silence, and, moving away,
said, ''Follow mel"
The young man took up his yataghan,
and, leaving the remainder to be carried
by slave, followed his guide toward the
great door of the palace.
The history of successive sultans often
presents little beyond the melancholy
spectacle of throne at the mercy of a
lawless soldiery. Mahmoud was not the
first of his race who sought to free the
seraglio from those formidable guar