The Newtown bee., 1880-01-28
A HORRIBLE CEREMONY.
The NInrtyrdom rOf Hussein." as Cele-
 brated in ConstantinopIe.

The 1Inrtyrdom rof Hussein." as CeIe-
 brated in Constantinople!
 The Persian population of Constanti- nople annually have a religious ceiebra- tion called the Shute Moharrum or Martyrdom of Hussein. Describing the last one which took place in the Turkish capital a correspondent of the New York Sun says:
 The function was to take place at sun- set, and the afternoon was cold, dark, and drizzling, when I sat off from Pera for the Persian Khan. After a long drive through narrow, muddy, crowded streets, we reached mob which com- pletely blocked lane ankle deep in the blackest mire. Through this we forced our way cn foot, and through the ex- ertions of sundry Persian officials who here took charge of us, passed through the massive. pOnderous doors of the khan up short, steep, covered pas sage, and then out upon the great court yard. This was an area about hun dred and fifty yards square, inclosed by the massive and picturesque line of buildings which, in ordinary times, forms the Persian warehouses, bazaar, and lodgings of tke merchants who come to Constantinople with the man. ufactures and productions of their country. The lower story. consisting of open shops, or alcoves, in which goods are usually displayed for sale, was now devoted to the use of specta- tors. Each compartment was well car peted, rows of chairs were placed on tue raised dias in each, and all the chandeliers and candlesticks in Stam bout seemed to have been pressed into the service of illumination, thousands of wax candles in gorgeous candelabrums imparting a sort of fairy enchantment to the scene, which quite dazzled us as we emerged upon it from the dark pas sage. Most of these alcoves were filled with Persian spectators, striking, solemn looking figures, with their black conical caps and flowing robes.
 At the head of the square was the place reserved tor the Persian ambassa- dor and his friends, where there was perfect forest of wax candles faring in rows of glass candelabrums, and a small group of curious foreigners be- hind them, among whom were some ladies, the first, 1 believe, who ever witnessed the ceremony. About five yards from the spectators was 8 line Of young trees all round the square, be- tween which paper lanterns were hung, and in the center of the square was small kiosk, used in ordinary times as a place of refreshment, but now crowded with spectators. It was also hung with lanterns. while at intervals large iron cradles on poles filled with blazing rosinous wood shed the lurid glare of so many separate little bonfires over the scene. It was evident that we should have all the light that was necessary, in spite of the darkness of the night.
 It was some time after sunset before the sound of distant chanting warned us that the function was beginning, and then entered by the passage through which we had passed-frst the head dervish of the Shiahs; then some ven- erable Mallahs and Holy Men; then a girl ten or twelve years old on horse ! back, who represented Zainad, the daughter ot Hussein; then some men bearing banners by his side; then a group ofabout hundred Persians The dervish was a slight but good-iooking man of about fifty years of age, with re- markable grace and dignity of bearing. He recited the martydom in deep toned chant, in very short sentences, at ] the termination of each of which he gave curious little nod, and passed his l left hand over his mouth. Then the old men behind him led the chorus, Hussein na Huss ein," and the crowd behind took it up with loud, plaintiye wall, and beat their breasts Tn time with resounding blows. This proces sion passed round the square three 1 times, many of the Persians appearing deeply moved, and all their countenances wearing an aspect of mourning and grief. No sooner was the third round completed than loud clashing and noise of many voices issued from the entry passage, and a great commotion ensued among the spectators gathered with swaying to and fro, as though 1 the great event was at hand.
 And now appeared the most ghastly ] and appalling sight which it has ever been my fortune to witness. saw sud- denly the waving and brandishing of at least hundred bloody swords in the air, and I heard the wild and frantic shouts of the hundred men who wielded them, and above ail the loud, deep tones of the dervish. as he placed himself at their head, this time followed by men who clashed cymbals, and woman and child representing Hussein's wife and baby, carried aloft in covered sort of cradle, and magnificent gray horse, gorgeously caparisoned, and bearing