The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-06-30
Pipes and Tobacco in Turkey.

king Of tobaccos, and especially in small
place called Jendische Bardar, situated to
the southeast of Salonica (Thessalonica. }
This small brownish yellow plant is allowed
to dry for weeks, yes, often for months,
after it has been gathered; then it is packed
in small bales (bogtsche, } and not till it has
remained for years in the storehouse Of the
tobacco merchants is it honored by the
Stamboul nicotian epicures with the name
of "aalagobeck." The tobacco, cut as
small as the finest silk, is thereupon in hot
request in the imperial palace, in the SOW
ereign harem, aud likewise in the Sublime
Porte, where the Ministerial Council, in
the midst of ascending aromatic clouds of
smoke, discusses State affairs. The pipes,
stalk as well as mouthpiece, which are
used for the enjoyment of this best of all
tobaccos, are with great care both chosen
and kept. The clay head must bear the
mark Of Hassan, noted marker at Fin
dekli, suburb Of Constantinople. The
long jessamine stalk, with its silkeu-vel-
vety bark, must come from the Broussa
plantations. The mouthpiece, of bright
transparent amber, is carved after the
most approved fashion; its "ziyana" (the
thin shank on which il is fxed) has come
from the hands of some most accomplished
turner Such perfect smoking requisites
and this best of all tobacco are deemed
worthy Of each other; and when pipe and
tobacco are both Of the first quality, the
pipe attendant (tschibuktschi) must be
immensely def in the performance of his
duties.
Often have |, alike with amusement
and astonishment, observed the proceed
ings of the tsehibuktschi, and especially
the prodigious care he displays in placing
symmetrically together the various parts Of
the pipe. The clay head, filled some days
before, aud enriched with a fringelike
ornament, is deposited in a thin box
Frequently | heard it asserted that the
taste of the tobacco depended on the form
aud the size Of the piece of burning char
coal placed on it, and the tschibuktschi,
when kindling the pipe, rakes with his
tongs in the coal-pan till he has found fiat
round piece. Though the Turk finds it
all quite natural, yet it is comical spec
tacle to follow the attendant in the dis.
charge of his various duties Holding the
long pipe in his right hand and the round
brass dish in his left, the attendant moves
with serious face and with measured step
toward his master.
At distance from his master, which is
exactly equal to the length of the pipe.
stalk, he kneels. He puts down the brass
dish, then he places the pipe on the dish;
then describing half-circle with the stalk,
he inserts the mouth-piece with the ut
most accuracy between the open lips of
his master. While the master is taking
hold Of the stalk the attendant rises from
the floor, aud he has scarcely retreated a
step, when cloud of smoke sent forth by
deep breath, envelopes him aud every
thing around. The first draw is deemed
Insignificant; the second and third are
reckoned the best; the fourth is regarded
as bad; the fifth is thoroughly despised by
the nicotian epicure.
OF the deceased Sultan Abdul Meds-
child, have heard it said that of pipe
he never took more than three draws; also
the former Foreign Minister, Aali Pasha,
never smoked a pipe out. What remains,
and is despised by the dainty smoker, is
delicate morsel for the servants in waiting.
That which for the refined taste Of the
Turk is too rough and sharp, is delicious
to the course gums of the wild Anatolian,
who likes something which bites his
tongue sharply.
As every one uses his own pipe, we
must not be astonished that this instru-
ment has become an indispensable vade
Dleclng for every man Of rank. In effect,
the pipe is for ever found in close proxim-
ity to the Turk. To wait upon his pipe,
the man Of rank keeps two, and sometimes
even three servants. One servant has to
look after the home arrangements; another
accompanies his master when he goes
riding or walking. The long stem is car
ried in beautifully ornamented cloth
bag; the head Of the pipe, the tobacco,
and the other accessories are contained in
a pouch which hangs by the servants side.
A foreigner in Constantinople often con-
templates with curiosity proud Ottoman
proceeding on foot or horseback, followed
by servant with his long well-packed
instrument, who, from the airs he gives
himself, looks like the armour bearer of
some gallant blade on the way to the first
fight, How times change What the
armor bearer was TO the old warlike
races, the tschibuktschi is now to the
efieminate descendants.
Ii is not an uncommon thing to see
Turk smoke from sixty to eighty pipes
daily. The pipe is the indispensable com.
panion Of the Turk in every occupation,
how earnest aud important soever il may
be. In the Supreme Porte, in the Minis
terial Council, where the Turkish gran
dees debate regarding the welfare Of their
fatherland, which extends over three
quarters of the globe, the question was
once discussed, whether, during the CON
sideration Of State affairs, the tschibuk-
tschis (pipe-bearers) should not be exclud.
ed Great was the difference Of opinion;
long was the contest between the yearnip9
of the palate aud the sense Of propriety.
till at last was victorious the sentiment Of
some corpulent members, who thought
that 1t would be wrong to reject iguomiu.
ionsly the old custom, and that the blame
less tschibuktschis must be permitted, as
before, to enter the chamber and give the
needful attenHsA to the pipes. And vet
Sli the members knew very well that this
resolution was pregnant with mischief and
danger, for the cunning servants, while
busy with tho pipes, snatch up with quick
ear many secret Of State, and before
even the Sultan and the official world have
any Knowledge Of the decisions Of the Su-