The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-03-23
World.

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A picture by Mayer, which hangs in one
of the private galleries of America, says
Lippincott's Magazine illustrates the
rough-and ready methods with which JUS
tice is administered in Turkey. The cadi
goes out in the morning without making
known his intended route, takes his walk
with suitable attendants, and stops at the
first bazaar. He seats himself at random
in one Of the shops and examines the
weights, measures, and merchandise. He
lends an ear to all complaints; interrogates
any merchant accused Of infraction oflaw;
and then, without court Or jury, and espec-
tally without delay, pronouaees Judgment
applies the penalty, and goes on in quest
of other delinquents. In these cases, how
ever, the punishment is of different char
acter. Notwithstanding the identity of the
crime, he cannot treat the offending mer-
chant as q common thief; that would have
a prejudicial effect on commerce. The
penalty is graduated thus: The mildest,
confscation the moderate, closing the
shop; the seTerest, exposure. This last
is inflicted in singular manner. The cul-
prit is placed with his back against the
shop, and is compelled to raise himself on
his toes until the weight of his whole body
rests on them; his ear is then nailed to the
door or shutter of his shop. This punish.
ment lasts two, four, Or six hours. It is
true the criminal may abridge its duration
whenever he chooses to let himself down
but the Turkish merchant is jealous of his
reputation, and nothing but the last neces-
sity would induce him to resemble thief
by the n1utilation of his ears. AS one
gazes upon the wretch thus nailed up, one
is disposed to compassionate his case. but
Mohammed tells you that he is an old of
fender. and il, :, ..orernble roAandeF'
~ WAS after receiving this explanation
that M. Mayer found his horror sufficiently
alleviated to allow ofhis making the sketch
from which the picture referred to was at
terward composed. The criminal, nailed
| by his ear, was standing stiff and motion
less on the extreme points ofhis great toes,
and seated near him, on the sill Of the
door, was the guard, charged with seeing
the punishment duly executed, smoking
pipe. The quantity oftobacco IN the pipe
seemed to be graduated to the time the
punishment was to continue. Around
these two personages was a demicircle OF
idlers. After time the cuiprlt, tlndlng
he had nothing to expect from the crowd
among whom, perhaps, he recognized some
of his ustomers-hazarded a word to the
guard. Brother said he, tone law OF
our holy Prophet is that men should help
one another" The guard seemed to take
no exception to the precept in the abstract,
and continued quietly to smoke. "Broth.
er," resumed the patient, s'did you not hear
me p The guard made 10 other reply
than large puff Of smoke, that ascended
10 his neiphbor's nose. "Brother,a still
persisted the man, zone OF Us can aid the
other, and do thing acceptable to NO
hammed,;' The pnffs of smoke suceeeaee
: each other with a regularity that extin
guished the poor fellows hopes. broth
err cried the dependent, with doloron
: voice, "put stone under my heels. aud
will give you piastre.'' No reply. "Ivt
! piastres.n A pause. "srhree piastres. =
Smoke. t.Four piastres.' ''ren piastres,
said the guard, quietly. The ear and til
purse Of the man held a parley, which WI
visible in the countenance. At length th
:, pain conquered, and the ten piastres role
: at the feet Of tie guard, who counted thel
: with great deliberation, put them IN hi
purse, rested his pipe against the wall, AM
picking up pebble about as large as Il
: egg Of a tomtit, placed it uder the man
: heels. Brother said the culprit, I fe'
: nothing under my feet "A stone is ther
: however, answered the guard, resumln
!, his seat and pipe; but it's true ! seleete
: it IN reference to your price. Give me
!, totori five francs and I willplace . stof
under you 50 appropriate to your necess
ties that You shall sigh for it when y
= reach Paradise The result may be .
! !, tieipated the guard had his money, a
: the merchant his stone.