The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-02-18
The suItan In All HIS Glory.

The people of Turkey last month
celebrated the Mohammedan feast
Of Bairam, during which a singular
ceremonial took place at the Dolma
Bagtchc Palace, which is thus de-
scribed by correspondent Of the
!Swiss Times:
The hall Of Audience is a magniii-
cent apartment, large, spacious and
lofty, situated in the centre Of the
palace, richly giIded, asd glittering
with crystsland silver; his majesty,
Abdul-Aziz on his throne, . very
rude bench, covered with plates
Of gold, but without any beauty,
either Of Workmanship or design. 1t
is placed, howeve!, at the head Of a
carpet which for beauty and mag
nilicence fully cOmpensates. II is Of
the richest crimson silk, thickly Wad-
ded and covered with gold cmbroid
ery Behind the throne stands the
aides-de-eamp and the principal Off
GERS 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, there heads bowed low and
their arm. folded across their breasts,
while to the left of the throne, but a
little behind it, stands an aid-de-eamp
holding in his 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 centre of
the carpet he salaams q 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 withit salaams
again and has performed his duty.
Retiring backwards be forms in the
line behind the others who are advaa-
cling After the Beys have passed
the civil officers pass round There
is then a lull for q few seconds, as
the Sultan rises to receive the Skeik-
al Islam. The venerable prelate is
advancing at the head of a long line
Of Cades, Muftis and other members
of the Ulema, supported on either
side by two high officials. On reach
ing the Sultan he stoops to kiss mis-
feet, but is raised by his Sublime
majesty, and he then takes his place
along with the other ministers of the
state. Thi. is tbs most picturesque
portion Of the ceremony, for these
civil officers in their Rowing robes
and large turbans bound with gold,
and their ions boards have a very
fine effect As soon as the last one
has passed round the Skeikul Islem
says short prayer and his majesty
then retires.
The next three days are spent in
festivity. The Turkish quarter is
Ike a huge fair in England, for in
every available space booths are set
uD as temporary cafes for the en-
ployrnent of the elders, and swings
and merry-go-rounds for the children
as well as stalls for the sale of
sweetmeats and cakes. The streets
are crowded with gaily dressed Turk
ish ladies, going about visiting, and
fathers taking their children QUITO view
the wonde:s 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 ofdepartments, and dan
cing 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