The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-21
KOURBAN BAIRAM.

CHANGE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AT
TRANSFORMING OF THE UNDERGROUND RAIL-
WAY IN CoNsTANTINoPLE-LAsT OF THE
LoULA-THB HON. q. BOXER, UNITED STATES
MINISTER AT CoNsTANTINopLE-
CONsrANTINOPLE, Jan. TO- 1875.
The commencement Of the Kourban BaYram
festival was celebrated with customary pomp and
ceremony yesterday morning. Notwithstanding
the rain the troops were under arms long before
dawn, drawn up in line on each side OF the streets
leading from the palace Of Dolmabagtche to the
mosque Of Sultan Ahmet at stambouL His Majesty
and suite left the palace soon alter sunrise on
their way to Sultan Ahmet and by nine O'Clock
the public ceremonial was over. Prayers had
been offered the blood OF thousands OF rams had
nowed on the ground, the Sultan's hand had been
kissed by all the State digntaries and the crowds
OF spectators were dispensing and the troops were
marching back to their barracks.
Immediately preceding the Ba.ram q slight
modification was made IN the Ministry. Aarfe
Pacha, Minister OF Foreign Affairs. was transferred
to the post OF Minister OF Public instruction, In
the place OF Saivet Pacha, who was appointed IN
his turn TO succeed Aarie Pacna as head OF the
Foreign Department. Safvet is an Old and expe.
renced statesman, and has more than once
already occupied the same post In subordinate
capacity Aarife Pacha had given promise Of ability
which was not fulfilled when the occasion re-
CURED II, and as Minister OF Foreign Affairs he
has made so little mark in political circles that
he has furnished matter neither Tor praise nor
blame.
Few cities present greater anomalies In their
interior arrangements than Constantinope. The
mansions Of the rich stand side by side with the
meanest novels turn: from q broad thorough
fare brings one into acquaintance with break.
neck, filthy alley. In summer the illpaved streets
are unwatered and unswept, and the dust thick.
ems the atmosphere The hoods OF the winter
occasionally carry the accumulated filth from
higher to lower levels. but the normal con.
dition OF the public thoroughfares IL one OF
Dirt slush and utter neglect But while
the most elementary Of municipal improve
ments are neglected overground Constan'
tinople has Just been endowed with an under.
ground railway, constructed on the latest I'M
proved STYLE Galata, the centre OF business. lies
at the loot OF a steep hill and along the eastern
shore OF the Golden Horn. Pera, the fashionable
quarter OF the town, and the residence OF the for
egn Ministers, merchants and bankers, Is situated
on the top OF this nil, the ascent and descent OF
which Is made with pain and diflculty, through
street called step street. b steep that 1t has been
necessary to pave 1t IN the form OF steps to a
trafic between these two centres the Metropoi-
tan Railway Company have constructed tunnel
with double line OF railway, on which car.
riages are perpetualy mounting and descending
by means OF steel wire rope and stationary
engine. The line was first opened for public
traffic yesterday The concession was obtained
several years back from the Turkish government
by Frenchman named Gavand, who, after many
difficulties, succeeded In forming q company in
London for carrying 1t out NJ. Gavand deserves
every credit for the perseverance, with which he
prosecuted the WORK. In the teeth OF vexatious OPP
position on the part OF owners and occupters OF
property above and adjoining the tunnel, and the
utter absence OF assistance and moral support OF
the Ottoman government, who had given the nr.
man. The Ministers and other Turkish o1lcias,
however, mustered IN force at the banquet given
the Gay before the opening, wnen the Ambassa.
doris and foreign Ministers we're entertained by
the directors OF the Metropolitan Railway Com
pany. This Is the first OF its kind attempted IN the
country and will doubtless lead to further innova
| lions on the old jog trot style OF the Osmanli.
| Thessaly has at last been freed from brigandage
| The news arrived last week of the surrender 81