The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-07
WuAr rs GONG ON IN EUROPE


has gained any pcrceptible advantage in posi-
ton. Mukhtar Pasha's communications will
kars have not been cut, as the Russians ex
| pectcd they would he; while the Grand Duk,
Michacl's position is precisely the same as /
was on Monday last. He took the fortified
fagni hill on Tuesday, but had to abandon 1
on the next day on account Of the difficulty o
obtaining a supply Of water" as the official re-
port puts il.
In European Turkey the progress Of the wal
has been poorer still. Except around Plcvna
there has been scarcely shot fired anywhere
large number Of shells have been thrown into
Rustchuk and great many houses destroyed
there; but the Notifications remain unimpair-
ed. and the garrison does not seem to have sus-
tanned any losses.
Both sides seem to BE- busy tossing up their
Generals and try ing to find some man capable
of making decent use of the splendid fighting
material they have at their command The
conccitcd aid Of tho chief Of the Rus
sian staff. Gen. Lcvilsky, who thought he
knew all about Osman Pashas forces. and
was thus tho cause Of terrible losses to
the Russicns at Plevnn. has been dis
missed and has committed suicide. Tho Care
witch gave up the leadership Of the Rust
chuk ARMY. and has resumed his COM
mnnd of the Imperial Guards. Tho Grand
Duke Nicholas il said To- have been advised 10
take "a trip 10 Gastcin for the improvement Of
hs health. Several minor changes in the COM
mand of the Russian army are also reported.
The Turks do not seem 10 fare much better
" ahcmN Ali Pnsha, who began his career ~
Commandcr-in-Chiof with considerable Grlat
has been replaced by Suoman Pasha. Achmct
Eyoub Pasha. the commander Of Iustrhuk is
also TO be- recalled, and palace clique is hard
nj work at Constantinople trying TO demonstrate
Ia the Sultan that Osman Pasha has not done
anything particularly great in his merely pas
siyc defence Of llcvna. II is loudly said that he
ought to have driven the Russians to the banks
OF the Danube 10y this time.
An excitement quite as great as II a decisive
victory had been won was created by the fact Of
Sultan Abdul lIamid entertaining Mrs Layard.
the wife Of the British Minister. at dinner not
at the Haramlyk. or the ladies department but
at the Selamlyk. or ceremonial portion of the
palace. An honor Of this kindhas not been con-
ferred on any lady. except the Empress Eugene
and the Princess Of Wales. whom the late Abdul
Aziz entertained in the same fashion at the time
of the opening OF the Sucz canal. Mrs. Layard
had thus the incstimabc privilege Of picking
her food out Of the same dish with the Sultan.
and Of courtoou-ly exchanging with him the
choicest morscls Of their respective plates
Some time hacs. when forks AMI knives were
unknown to the TURKS, this custom was not
very pleasant 10 Europeans. The tidhit was
singled out with the fingers and rolled up and
served with the hand. But ciVlixat on is maxi
Ing rapid progress even in Turkey, and the sui
tan's table is served nowadays in the European
fashion. There Is even plenty Of good wine
served. though he does not drink ii himself
lie gracously proposed. however. to drink the
health of Queen Victoria. the object Of the din
ner being to show his appreciation of the efforts
Of the English ladies On behalf Of the sufferers
10y the war.
In tie beginning Of this century Mr. Adair
audIord Sirutfordde RodeiifIn went on a special
mission to Constantinople. and were received
by Sultan Selim in a mean ante-chamhcr.
After the British diplomat 1T had presented his
credentials and dcIiv red his speech. the sultan
grunt,d in Turkish a few words Of answer To
his dragomnn. and then inquired whether III"
dogs tmoanne the Envoy and his suitel had
anything to eat. On being answered in the neg
aiivc. be- muttorod: Let. then, the dogs bc ied.
and thus he brought the courteous interview To
a close. Seventy years have evidently wrought
a great chnugo in thu manners and views of the
sublime Porte.
In England It takes much longer 10 bring
changes about. and when they occur they don't
always prove t. hs forfAc -. Queen Eliza
beth was fraqu utly hard ON her Bishops. while
now the Bishops are getting hard GA tuoir
Queen. There WAS recently an opon.rg Of AN
art gallery in Manchester. and tine traiosmon.
anxious 10 sec a revival of business. wanted the
Queen to attend at the cromony and thus %
brace NJ the local rctail TRADE. But tho Queen
excused herself through her Primo Minister.
and started for Scotland. UIou'hiS, the Bishop