The New York herald., 1874-08-10
The Gr3at Powers Interests in the SOlu-
ton Of the Eastern Question.
Highway Travel as It Is and
as 1t Should Be.
Russo Turkish Diplomacy-The
Czar's Side of the Case.
The Euphrates Valley Railway and
Its Outside Tributaries.

VIENNA, July Is, 1874.
There is stn good deal of romance in Eastern
,rsvcl Unless Baron Reuter- and NJ. DE Lesseps
yucceed, very quickly, in DONG wonders, which
some people think they will never do at all. an
American who unfortunately for himself, should
ret sent on diplomatic business to the Shah OF
PERSIA would find himself very much in the same
oostion as one OF the ancient patriarchs; and II
ne possessed his serviceabe Imagination, he might
easily fancy himself a personal friend OF Noah.
There would only be thing to break the illu-
,iop and that would be the general use indeed,
The far too general use OF firearms. In all other
RESPECTS the inhabitants OF Central Asia have
made no progress in what is called civilization.
An Ambassador OF any Christian Power, rho should
leaye Constantinople for Teheran, would pass
through nearly every stage OF the social history OF
the world upon his way. He would start from
the capital OF the Ottoman Empire, which Is now
sort OF Anglo Franco o-Italco-German city,
md might there take his farewell look at modern
Zines. he would, indeed, be conveyed by steamer
rom the Bosphorl is to old imperial Trebizond, but
what steamer The passengers on it would be
dark-browed, truculent fellows, keeping guard
WOMEN, CLOSELY SHUT UP
and tealously yelled from prying eyes. He would
be accompanied by dancing dervishee, bowling
de,visnes aggressive dervisnes much disposed TO
break his head on the SIN allest provocation. ana
in constant state OF ripeness for a row. These
good people would be perpetually hopping down
on al! fours and gesticulating wildly over yard
and half OF carpet. Some OF them would be fre
worsnippers who believe in the personality OF the
sun. Some would be Shites. who hold
peculiar opinions about Ally, and are an
unorthodox sect OF Mohammedans. Others
would be open worshtppers OF the devil, and very
awkward customers to meet with when the Am
bassador got farther on his journey among the
wilds Of Khoordnstan. At Trebizond the only
traces OF civilization he would be able 70 di scover
would be several wranging consuls playing at
diplomacy in high and mighty ways at $1,000
year for dignity money. There are about half
dozen OF them, and the oldest inhabitant cannot
remember that he ever saw two Of them on amir
cable terms. They live in little cottages about the
size OF coach house, surrounded by pleasant
gardens, and each OF them reigns despotically
over q Rayan servant and few fowls. That Is the
real extent OF their dominion but they are awful
potentates IN their own eyes, and few years ago
one OF these consular Gentlemen would never sit
down to dinner till his housemaid, the Ray ah SER
want had blown trumpet; and wnen Prince,
who is an authentic cousin OF the Queen OF Eng
land went to dine with him. this consular oigni-
tary insisted upon being served nrst at his own
table, because said he, 81 am Her Majesty's
repTe4eQtdUVe anu lhe uNiIS law VI r.uSiouo-vuos
70 to say.
ALL THE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT,
are united in my p-<son." The ordinary costume
Of q consul at Trebizond begins at the top, and
consists Of a wonderful goid-laced cap such as Il
worn by the porters OF Italian hotels; coat pro
fusely frogged, like that which distinguishes the
Polish refugee Of melo-drama and jacx-boots o.
patent leather. In this strange and martial attire
he struts about with his head in the air, and is az
extremely troublesome person to offend for ht:
ideas OF his own importance are based upon Ioun
datlon quite as substantial as 1t is surprisng 9.
The captu!ations, or, in other words, the
treaties. made by Turkey with the Christian
Powers during the last one hundred and
dity years have conferred quite an amazing
authority upon foreign consuls and they are
enabled to decide every case in which subject OF
their own country Is concerned by rule OF thumb.
They are generally set OF poor, weak-minded,
ignorant men, who got their appointment
Heaven knows how, and who know more
OF law than OF the doctrines or Conuc1us
but II q shipmasrer or traveller fails to
show a sufficiently awe-strcken respect for their
Official attributes, 1t is certain that the traveller
or shipmaster will have TO digest very bitter
sort OF repentance. The consul can fine or i'm.
prison him soon as one who Is quick of speech
could say "Jack Robinson" Brt If the traveller is
own valuation, listens to his stories as to the dear
ness OF vegetables and the insuflcency OF con-
sular salaries, he will find that august magnate
almost as useful as q ld1ltGtae-pidce. Moreover,
consus, even at TrebZond, however high and
mighty they may be In their demeanOr toward
the vulgar prudently bow down to an Ambassador
rom their own country when they know he IL
going TO his post. though they may not show him
the same attention alter he has got into scrape
and been recalled. The Ambassador, therefore, had
better employ their services at once, and Will find
them very necessary in hiring horses for his jour-
ney. In order TO proceed
PROM TREBIzoSD TO rEHERAN,
with a moderate amount OF baggage he will re-
uuire about fofty mules and ponies, and must 90
through many curious ceremonies before he gets
them. The consul Will probably bring TO him in
the dusk OF the evening tail, shambng lout who
looks like brgand out OF work. aud then the
bargaining will commence. In the first place the
out always wants $50 In gold to get his horses
,ut OF pawn. Perhaps the Ambassador will give
mis- money without much hagGing and suggest
tnat the horses shall be ready Tor his inspection
the next morning. The lout then touches his fore.
head grows "On my head be II your enulgency ~
makes numbering plunge 10 his slippers which
he has lett at the door III order that tie may marx
nIs respect Tor the "sanb" by appearing barefoot
aess. OF course, next morning there is no lout,
and there are no horses. The consul puts
on his gold laced cap and walks about all day
long IN search OF them but the lout is lying some
where as close as partridge on a hot day in Sep
tember, and is nowhere to be found. Two days,
afterwards, however a reverend old person turns
up in parti-colored beard, which is painted q
bright scarlet upon one side and left white on the
other. lie knows the iout they have been friends
rom childhood, aud he Is ready to explain every
thing. The truth is that the out Is AFRAID to go to
Persia; he owes money there, be owes money
everywhere, and Is most respectable man. The
way to get over every difficulty viii be to pay
$780, gold, before starting, and then the horses,
which belong, 1t seems, to Joint stock company
OF louts viii be driven in some day next week
from the neighborng villages THIS little matter
being satisfactorily arranged more Is heard OF
The lOuI or his Xeneraple friend. One daH hnMnNnr