Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-20
The Grand Turk,a Honsehold

The Economists Francois Ia Paris pa
peri, in an article ON the Sultan OF Tur-
keys household, says: The Grand Mar
shall is the head fun%ctionary Of the
palace. He has the supervision and
responsibility of all that pAsses. in the
s~elambike, the part of the palace where
the Sultan spends the day, takes his
meals, and receives visitors. The post
is at present vacant. The salary s va
riable. Ferid Pasha, the last holder,
bad 276,0 900 francs a year, with rations
representing $1,000 francs. The Cham
berlains are not 80 much administrator
as domeStics, paying the Sultan all the
attention devolving on Wallets de chambre
in Europe. He treats them harshly.
When in en- i'll humor he insults them,
strikes them, drives them from the pal
ace for the most frivolous reasons One
a few seconds behind in bringing his
master his praying carpet, was sent into
the palace band. He has no turn for
music, and is negotiating in second-rate
posts. The Office OF Chamberlain is,
nevertheless, much coveted, its ~disadvan-
tsges being compensated by large profits.
The highest personages seek their friend
ship, in the hope of furthering their am
bilious views. These services are hand
somely rewarded. The Chsmberlains
announce their appointment to the
Grand Vlzier, the Ministers and Gov.
ernors. Custom requires each of these
p~ersoHsges to give the bearer of good
tidings from ll,000f, to S22, 000f. as a
present. The numerous concessions TO
the Viceroy Of Egypt have always been
announced to him by the CHARACTERISTICS,
who have received 34O,000f., AGO, 00Ot
$40, 00Of., aud even 9O,O00f. The num-
Der of Chsmberlsins varies according to
the Sultan's caprice. Usually there are
seven er eight, but at present only FIVE.
The Chief Chamberlain has 82,s00f. a
year, q palace rent free, equivalent to
34,500f. There are FIVE secretaries. The
Chief Of them reads to the Sultan the
daily report prepared by a special Office,
composed Of young men Of the first Mus
sulman families. To him the Grand vi
zier and other high f~unctionaries address
the communications intended to come
under the eye Of their master, who is at
such a distance from common mortals
that nobody would ever presume to adj
dress directly to him any official or other
communication. The FIVE secretaries
and four writer's cost PAS, 400f. . u
For the moment the post of Palace
Treasurer is a real s~inecure. For sever.
al months neither employees nor trades
men have been paid, all the available
money being reserved for the Sultan.
The TressHrer's salary is 4l,00Of., with
%rstions ll,040f.. and four secretaries,
l6, 560L. An Astrologer has l3,S00f. His
duty is to consult the moon and stars.
BE sets TO work when the Sultan is un.
well or is to make a journey. His ora
cles are listened to with respect, and his
directions are followed. His influence
is great in the palace and out Of doors.
The chief barber, who knows how to
hold his tongue-no slight merit, espe-
cially in Turkey-not uttering a word
when cutting his master beard and hair,
has 2.52Of. The Sultan does not drink
coffee, but custom requires it to be
served to everybody repairing to the
palace on business. The chief c%afetier
has 5,520f., his six assistants l6, 560t.,
and the coffee costs 60,00Of a year. The
Mussulmans, after their meals, have the
excellent habit Of rinsing the mouth and
washing the hands with ~perfumed soap
This department, with it's chief and elk
assistants, costs Is, 1851, per annum.