Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-03
A Turkish PhiIOsOpher.

During my DECENTRALIZATION In Smyrna was
caught py tne ingenious face OF handsome
TURK, who sat smoking on his stall, with his
legs coileG under him. With an air of supreme
complacency. He was a vendor OF the per
fumestfor which ''Araby the blest,ts famous. It
was pleasant 10 stand and sniff the mingled
aromaS that surrounded the spot. Jars OF va
r1ous essences and boxes of spiced shrubs
emitted fragrance ravIshing to the nose. AS
we examined his sWeet-SCented wares. |
glanced occasionally at the owner, whose
countenance continued serene and impasslve.
He might have passed for a statue, so perfect
was the repoSe of his features and attitude
. There was not the least indication Of solicit
the prophet so ordained. We purchased some
altar OF roses and other extracts, which were
no cheaper than In Paris, but far more genuine.
After the parcels were made up l felt Inclined
to have some chat with our merchant Though
sedate and reticent, as all Turks are yet there
was frankness in his visage that was en-
couragtng, and so babe my interpreter to ask
him II he could be tempted to leave Smyrna
and go to my country, where his rare perfume
would yield him ten times the profit he could
hope for here. At the end OF a few years he
might return to the East rich man.
LOOK OF undisguised establishment over
spread his face.
What" he exclaimed ''leave the land Of
the prophet. to go among intidels! abandon my
nome 10 accumulate money do not want.
have enough TO eat and drink and my pipe to
smoke: have wife. and, please Allah, hope
to desire? am satisfied
This sample Of Turkish philosophy was not
a little staggering.
but. tell him." continued to the interpre-
Ter, That In my country he would be under
the protection OF law, where no cadi could
either 1mpr1son Or bowstring him. He would
be instructed, have books and papers to rea j,
and might learn what was passing I'm the
world; also. In that happy country the padisha
is CHOSEN by the people TO govern them and he
could l take share In his election"
TINS ent1cing description OF the advantages
OF superior civilization were all thrown
away On the incredulous. If not c0ntemptuous
Turk. What are these things to me?n he
answered Would they make me happier?
Gould eat or drink more Ia your country than
III mine? Could smoke more or love more?
MY fathers have always lived In this holy
land. why should leave it TILL Allah calls
me away, When shall go to Mahornets para
disc, where hours tnnumerable await me? Do
you Think would give up this to 20 to your
unknown Norld?"
1elt that it was idle to hold out intellectual
ueAghts, or political privileges as bats to this
true son OF the prophet; whose faith in the
Koran was implicit FAR more so than that If
most Christians in the Bible AS was moy,ner
on said with smile he little knew what he
iost py not listening TO my suggestions Sud
oeny thought struck him, for. TAKING tha
amber mouth piece from his lips he inuIIiTed tf
women were cheaper in my country than in
turkey. told him that no one In nv lana
was ailOWed TO have more than one and thar
only with her consent. This settled the hnSi.
neSS scoWl OF unutterable scOrn darkened
JUS lne physlognCmy, and, replacing his piDe
ne ralseu his eyes to heaven, evidently in =
Spult OF tnanKfulneSS to Allan that it. had nc.
Deen his cruel fate TO be born I'm sl1rh . Ia
VI ion.