The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-10
In the SerarliO.

One of the most interesting chapters
OF the new book, Twenty Years Resi-
dence Among the People Of Turkey
bv lady who was a consuls daughter
and consul's wife, is the chapter of
the seraglio. Following are extracts:
One of the three palaces most re-
nowued for beauty of architecture and
magnifcence of furniture is Begler
Bey. 1t is worthy OF the use for which
il has been selected, of being the pal
ace offered for the occupation OF illus
trious foreign visitors. The arrange
ments made in it for one imperial guest
were presided over by Sultan Abdul
Aziz in person. and the private apart
ments Of the illustrious lady were per-
feet copies of those in her own palace.
The fastidiousness of the host on this
occasion was so great that on discover
ing that the tints on the walls and fur
niture slightly differed from those he
had seen when on his European tour
he ordered that everything should be
removed and new ones brought from
Paris. The fair visitor is said to have
been equally surprised and hattered by
the delicate attention that had not
OLQlIIeu
toilet table. The Sultan, in truly
Oriental fashion, caused a new pair of
magnificent slippers, embroidered with
pearls and precious stones, TO be placed
before her bed every morning.
In Abdul-MedIId' time, clocks and
china vases were the only ornaments of
the apartments. The absence of pic
lures. books. and the thousand differ
ent objects with which Europeans fill
their houses gave the rooms, even
when inhabited, a comfortless and IN
used appearance.
Some years ago, when visiting the
private apartm ents of this Sultan, |
noticed a splendid antique vase. Late
", on speaking Of this priceless object
to a seraglio lady, was informed that
il had been thrown into the Bosphorus
by order of its owner. This act of
imperial extravaganza was caused by
the supposltion that the vase had been
handled 10y some person afflicted with
consumption.
Sultan Abdul-AZlZ, year or two be-
fore his reinforcement, possessed with
a nervous terror Of fire, caused all in
fammable articles TO be taken out Of
the palaces and replaced them with ar
ticles manufactured Of iron. The stores
of fuel were cast into the BOsphOrus,
and the lights Of the Sultan's apart
rnents were placed in basins OF water.
The houses IN the ueIghbOrhOOd OF the
seraclO were purchased 10y the Sultan.
their occupants forced to quit at very
short notice. their furniture turned
out. AID the buildings pulled down at
once. / is tyrannical precautions
served to AeiGhten the general dlscon
tent of the capital against the pand-
ishan, especially among the poor,
who Justly complained that they might
have benefited by what had been
wasted. while some Of the wealthy,
though not more conteuted, pro,ited by
the freak. and carried off many OF the
rich objects taken ont Of the palace.
An account | recently saw of
the imperial Abdul-Aziz at E2 600 600.
The pnsice contained $500 servants OF
both exes. The kitchen alone re-
duired go functionaries, and the
stables 400 There were also about 100
caikjis, or boatmen, 400 musicians, and
? attendants who had the charge Of
I. . meuageries and aviaries. Three
hundred guards were employed for the
various palaces and kiosks, ami about
100 porters. The harem, besides this.
contained / POO female slaves.
| am unable to give an estimate of the
expenses % the seraglio Of the present
Sultan. but have been informed on
good au .hority that His Majesty per
sonally superintends the management
OF the palace and regulates its expendI-
ture with great wisdom and economy:
it will take some time, however, TO put
an end TO the disorder. corruption and
irregularity that have become so rooted
in the whole system, and caused the