The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-05-18
The Grand Turks Household.

The Econ0nasste Francois "a Paris pa
peri, IN an article on the Sultan of Turkeys
household, says: The Grand Marshal is
the head tunctionary of the palace He
has the supervision and responsibility of
all that passes in the selambike, 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
is variable. Ferid Pasha, the last holders
had 276,OOO francs year, with rations
representing $1,000 francs. The Cham
bcrlains are not so much administrator,
as dcmestics, paying the Sultan all the at
tention dcvolying on Wallets de chambre in
Europe. He treats them harshly. When
in an ill humor he insults them, strikes
them, drives them from the palace for the
most frivolous reasons. One q few Sec
onds behind in bringing his master his
praying carpet was sent into the palace
band. He has no turn for music, and is
vegetating in second-rate posts. The
Office of Chamberlain is, nevertheless,
much coveted, its disadvantages being
compensated by large profits. The high
est personages seek their friendship in
the hope of furthering their ambitious
views. These services are handsomely
rewarded. The Chamberlains announce
their appointment to the Grand Vizier,
the Ministers and Governors. Custom re-
quires each of these personages to give the
bearer OF good tidings from II ,OOOf. to
%, 0O0f. as present The numerous con-
cessions to the Viceroy of Egypt have al
ways been announced to him by the
Chamberlains, who have received
$40, 000f., 400, OOOf, SIS, OOOf., and even
600, OOOf. The number of Chamber
lains varies according to the Sultan's
caprice. Usually there are seveL
or eight, but at present only five. The
Chief Chamberlain has 81, 8OOf. year, a
palace rent free, equivalent to "a, 5OOf
There are five secretaries. The Chief of
them reads to the Sultan the daily report
prepared by special office, composed of
young men of the first Mussulman fami.
lies. To him the Grand Vizier and other
high functionaries address the communi-
cations intended to come under the eye of
their master, who is al such a distance
from common mortals that nobody would
ever presume to address directly to him
any official or other communication. The
five secretaries and four writer's cost
24S, 4O0f. For the moment the
post of Palace Treasurer is real sinecure.
For several months neither employees nor
tradesmen haye been paid, all the availa-
BILE money being reserved for the Sultan
The Trcasurer's salary is 41,OOOf, with
rations 11,04Of., and four secretaries,
16, 56Of. An astrologer has 13,800f. His
duty is to consult the moon and stars. He
sets to work when the Sultan is unwell or
is to make journey. His oracles are
listened to with respect and his directions
are followed. His influence is great in the
palace and out of doors. The chief par
Der, who knows how to hold his tongue
no slight merit, especially in Turkey-not
uttering word when cutting his master
beard and hair, has $500. The Sultan
does not drink coffee, but custom requires
it to be served to everybody repairing to
the palace on business. The chief GAZETTEER
has 5,520f., his six assistants 16, 56Of., and
the coffee costs G9,000f. year. The Mus
sulmans, after their meals, have the ex.
cellent habit of rinsing the mouth and
washing the hands with perfumed soap.
This department, with its chief and six
assistants, costs IS, 76Sf. per annum.