Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-01-22
THE SULTAN IN ALL HIS GLORY.
A scene I'm lhe Tarkish Court.

The people Of Turkey last month cell
ebrated the Mohammedan feast Of
Bairam. during which singular cere.
monial took place at the Dolma Bagtohe
Palace, which is thus described by a
correspondent of the Swiss Times:
"The Hall Of Audience is a magni-
fcent apartment, large, spacious and
lofty, situated in the center of the
Palace, richly gilded, and glittering
with crystal and silver; his Majesty
Abdul-Aziz on his throne; very rude
bench covered with plates of gold, but
without any beauty either of workman
ship or design. 1t is placed, however,
at the head Of a carpet, which for beauty
and magnifcence fully compensates.
IL 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 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 throne, but
little behind it stands an aid-decamp
holding in his hand an embroidered
baud OF cloth whick is attached to il.
AS the first officer reaches the carpet he
salaams in the usual manner and then
steps forward. In the center Of the car
pet he salaams second time and then
moves on to the throne, Reaching the
side of the aid dec 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 backward,
he forms in the line behind the Others
who are advancing. After the Beys
have passed the civil officers pass
around. There is then lull for a few
seconds. as the Sultan rises to receive
the Sheik- ul-Islam The venerable pre-
late is advancing at the head of long
line of Cadis, Mutftis aud other mem
bers of the Ulema, supported on either
side by two high officials On reaching
the Sultan he stcops 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 cere-
mony, for these civil officers in their
flowing robes, and large turbans bound
with gold, and their long boards, have a
very fine effect. AS soon as the last
one has passed round the Sheikul-Islam
says short prayer and his majesty
then retires.
"The next three days are spent in
festivity. The Turkish quarters are 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
or the amusement Of the children, as
we'll as stalls for the sale Of sweet-meats
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 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.