Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-22
The Sultan in all his Glory.

The people OF turkey last month cele-
brated the Mohammedan feast of Bairam,
during which singular ceremonial took
place at the Delma Bagteche Palace, which
is thus described by correspondent Of the
S1ciSS Times:
The Hall of Audience is magnificent
apartment, large, spacious and lofty,
situated in the center of the Palace, richly
gildcd, and glittering with crystal and
silver; his Majesty Abdul-Aziz on his
throne: a very rude bench covered with
plates of gold, but without any beauty
either of workmanship or design. 1t is
placed, however, at the head of a carpet
which for beauty and magniiicence fully
compensates. 1t is of the richest crimson
silk thickly wadded, and covered with
gold embroidery. Behind the throne
stands the aideS-de-camp and the principal
officers Of the household. his chamber
lains 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 low and their arms folded
across their breasts: while to the left of
the throue, but little behind il. stands an
aide-de-camp holding in his hand an en-
broidered band of cloth which is attached
TO it. As the first officer reaches the car
pet he salaams in the usual manner and
then steps forward In the center Of the
carpet he salaams second time and then
moves on to the throne Reaching the
side of the aide-de-camp he takes the gold
fringe ut the end of the band, and touch
ing first his mouth and then his forehead
with it, Salaams again and has performed
his duty. Retiring backwards he forms in
the line behind the others who are advanc-
ing. After the Beys have passed the civil
officers pass round. There is then a lull
for Il few seconds, as the Sultan rises to re
ceiye the Sheik-ul-ls Islam. The venerable
prelate j. advancing at the head of a long
line of Cadls, Mufois and other members
of the | LENA, 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 por-
ton of the ceremony. for these civil officers
i'll their flowing robes, and large turbans
bound with gold. and their long boards
have very fine effect As soon as the
last one has passed round the Shcik-ul-
Islam says short PRAYER and his Majesty
then rctircs
festivity. The Turkish quarter is like a
huge fair in England, for in every avail
able space booths are set up As temporary
cafes for the enjoyment of the elders, and
swings and merry y-go-rounds for the amuSe-
ment of the children, rs well aS stalls for
the sale of sweetmeats and cakes. The
streets are crowded with gavly 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
dancing 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