The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-01-23
Scene in a Turkish Court.

The people of Turkey last month eel
ebrated the Mohammedan feast of Bal
ram, during which a singular ceremOni-
al took place at the DOlma Bagtche pal
ace which is thus described by cor
respondent of the Swiss Times:
The hall of audience is magnificent
apartment, large, spacious and lofty,
situated in the center of the palace,
richly gilded, and glittering with crvs-
tai and silver; His Majesty Abdul-Aziz
on his throne very rude bench COW
cred with plates of gold, but without
any beauty either of workmanship or
d, sign. 1t is placed, however, at the
head of a carpet which for beauty and
magnifcence fully compensai es. 1t is
of the richest crimson silk, thickly
waddCd, and covered with gold EN-.
broidery. Behind the throne stand the
aids-de. camp and the principal officers
of the household, his chamberlains and
chief eunuch. On the right side of the
carpet are the ministers of state in an
attitude of the deepest humility, their
heads bowed ow and their arms folded
across their breasts while to the left
of the throne, but a little behind it,
stands an aid-de-camp holding in hand
an embroidered band of cloth which is
attached to it.
As the first officer reaches the CARPET
he salaams in the usual manner and
then steps forward. In the center of
the carpet he salaams a second time and
then moves on to the throne. Reaching
the side of the aid-de-camp he takes
the gold fringe at the end of the band,
and touching first his mouth and then
his forehead with it, salaams again and
has performed his duty. Retiring back
ward he forms in the line behind the
others who are advancing. After the
beys have passed the civil officers pass
round. There is then a Iull for few
seconds, as the sultan rises to receive
the Sheik- ul-Islam. The venerable pre-
late is advancing at the head of a long
line of cadis. muftis and other mem
bers of the Ulema, supported on either
side by two high officials. On reaching
the Sultan he stoops TO kiss his feet,
but is raised by his sublime majesty,
and he then takes his place along With
the other ministers of state. This is
the most picturesque portion of the
ceremony, for these civil officers in their
flowing robes, and large turbans bound
with gold, and their long boards have
very fine effect. As soon as the LIST one
has passed round the Sheik- Islam
says a short prayer, and his majesty
then retil e..
The next three days are spent in fes-
tivity. The Turkish quarter is like a
huge fair in England, for in every avail
able space booths are set up as tempo
rary cafes for the enjoyment of the
elders, and swings and merry go-rounds
for the amusement of the children, as
wells as stalls for the sale of sweetme ats
and cakes. The streets are crowded
with gayly-dressed Turkish ladies going
about visiting, and fathers taking their
children out to view the wonders to be
seen in the Frank shops of Galata and
Pera. For the official world this is,
however, an anxious time, as they know
not what changes may take place. Their
time is chiefly taken up in paying visits
to the heads of departments, and dane
ing attendance upon great men from
whom they may have expectations
This, however, is all over now, and
every one has settled down again to
work.