Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-01-31
The Sultan In all his Glory.

The people of Turkey celebrated the
Mohammedan feast of Bairam, during
which singular ceremonisl took place
at the Dolma Bagtche Palace, which is
thus described by a correspondent of
the SiOiss Times; iaE aau
"The Hall of Audience is a magnif-
cent apartment, large, spacious and
lofty, situated in the centre of the Pal
ace, richly gilded, and glittering with
crystal and silver; his Majesty Abdul
Aziz on his throne; a very rude bench
covered with plates of gold, but with
out any beauty either of workmanship
or design. 1t is placed, however, at the
head of carpet which for beauty and
magnifcence fully compensates. 1t is
of the richest crimson silk thickly
wadded, and covered with gold en-
broidery. Behind the throne stands the
aides 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 low and their arms folded
across their breasts; while to the left of
the throne, but little behind it, stands
an aid-de-cam holding in his hand an
embroidered band of cloth which is at.
tached to it, As the first officer reach
es the carpet he salaams i'll the usual
manner and then steps forward. In the
centre of the carpet he salaams second
time and then moves op to the throne.
Reaching the side of the aided 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. Re-
tiring backwards he forus in the line
behind the others who are advancing.
After the Beys have passed the civil
officers pass round. There is then a
lull for few seconds, as the Sultan
rises to receive the Sheik- ul- Islam. The
venerable prelate is advancing at the head
of long line of Cadis, Muftis and other
members 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
last one has passed round the Sheik-ul-
Islam says short prayer and his Maj
esty then retires.
"The next three days are spent in
festivity. The Turkish quarter is like a
huge fair in England, for in every avail
able space booths are set up as tenn
porary cafes for the enjoyment of the
elders, and swings and merry go-rounds
for the amusement of the children, as
we'll as stalls for the sale of sweetmeats
and cakes. The streets are crowded
with gaily- 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 expecta-
tions. This, however, is all over now,
and every one has settled down again to
work