New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-12
PERSONAL REMIA SCIENCES or LORD
STRA TFORD.

From Temple Bar.
Great as Lord StratfOrd could show himself on
| such an emergency ~ this the beginning OF the
| Crimcan War, his mind was one of those when
never lose sight of detail. IL was BRAN OF the
nature of an elephants trunk, capable at uprootng
an oak and picking up PIN Even during the war.
the Great Eichi' a. he called, would not over
look the local shortcomings of the Turks
! was with him one day IN his ten-Oarcd odiqM on
the Bosphorus, when We passed large garden IN
which preparations were being made for building.
Lord Siratford told mo to land and inquire whose
il was | learnt that the Sultan was about 10 erect
a new summer residence there. mingled express
sion of gloom and lofty Indignation cl9nded the
Ambassadors face when told him this. lie ordered
the boatmen 10 straight to the Sultans palace.
He was announced as seeking an immediate audi
ence. Abdul Medjid. snpposing, as the Chamberlain
said, that some sudden catastrophe had overtaken
his army on the Danube, received Inn n friend
coming To condoe and advise. But there was no
friendly response To the Imperial greeting. On tho
contrary painful feeling of surprise expressed
by Lord Stratforl at finding such a dcgiee Of un-
timely leyity in his Macstys mind a. that he should
entertain Tor a moment the idea of building new
palaces when his Empire might be on the verge OF
It's downfall. The Sultan looked much embarrassed
and stammcred out a confused request 10 know
what the EIchi Boy wished him 10 do.
Tell him." said the Ambassador To dismiss at
once all the workinen. His Majesty has eight
palaces already and would he spend his money.
scarcely sufficient it is TO buy bread for his troops
IN the field. IN building ninth palace tor the En-
peror of Russia 10 3ccupyf For no assistance can
be expected from the allies OF Turkey, II they SEQ
such sensclcss eXtrayagance"
The Sultan seemed struck dumb hy Lord STRAIT
ford's ychemence ana only clappcd his hands TO-
gether 10 summon chamberlain. whom he ordered
TO go and stop the works in the garden for be had
changed his mind about them. Lord Stratford fhen
uttered few plain words OF paternal approval and
took leave, with all the appearance of having had
his Indignation dSaunod by the schoolboy-lke
submission of the Commander of the Faithful.
When, III his turn the Sultan asked the Ambas
sador 20 change his mind on other subjects, a like
result was not always attained. remember 4
rather remarkable OCCASION when Lord Stafford
refused 10 accede to the Sutahs request. Mehemet
Ali Iacha was the husband OF one OF Abdul
Medjid's sisters; and was then Minister % the Navy.
lie had recently purchased beautiful Greek slave,
and hc her one day at an open " indow IN con-
yersatiOn with Greek gardener, who was moving
the lawn behind his palace. The poor thing had
been glad 10 lind some one 10 speak Ia m her own
mother tongue. The Pacha approached the girl IN
silence and stabbed her 10 the heart with dagger.
Ihls reached Lord Strati2Tds ears ah4, when
Mehcmct Ali Pacha next called at the Embassy he
not received. Tie sultan sent an alde-de'
camp to ask the Ambassador why We had refused TO
see one of his Imperial MaJestys Ministers, ana his
~Tcl the sultan said Lord Stafford. that an
English Ambassador can never admit to ls presence
"A cruel assassin"
Another attempt was made, through the medium Of
the Grand Vizler, to appease the AnhaHHadors
anger but il was IN vain, and Mehemct All Pacha
dismissed from office.
Several years before this, n conflict arose between
the Embassy and the Porte. about an Armenian
Christian who had become "A MUssulman, and soon
after rrpented Of his apostasy. He was received
again in his former Church; but by Museulman
law the abuTing of leamism was punishable with
death and many such sentences had been carried out
The man was condemned by the Sheikh nj Islam 70
be- bchcaded. The decision of the highest Judicial
authority could not bc modified. The Ambassador
went to the Sultan, who dcplOred his inability 10
satisfy him. tie announced 10 the Porte that he
could not remain at tonstantlnople while such
crime was being officially committed, and that on
the day before the execution the British Embassy
would leave the country There was no answer.
lie returned TO the Sultan to take leave, on tho
rupture of diplomatic relations between England
and Turkey Abdul MrdIid actually eroaned IN de-
spar saying h. could do nothing 10 prevent II.
" iour Majesty can easily prevent A." exclaimed
Lord Stratford. " You CalIph. and you can alter
the Mussuman law 10y decree AZ such"
The Sultan stared wildly around, and then with q
trembling voice he said he would do SO. He would
do ANYTHING lawful to avoid shedding blood This
was quite true. for Abdul MedJid had nothing of tho
bloodthirsty Turk in him. But he was weak and
vacillating. He attempted 10 dictate a decree TO
his Chamberlain IN vague, equiyocal terms, which
could have no effect Mr. Alison. the ORIENTAL Secre
tlry Of Embassy, who was present, informed tho
Ambassador Of this IN a whisper.
e Write il yourself IN Turkish said Lord STRAIT
ford and give IT to the Sultan 10 sign
Mr. Alison wrote in Turkish, Nnrt1i kdhl
oimaz {" convert cannot Doe put to death y. Tho
sultan read the words, and aitXed 10 them hs seal
a. Caliph Of the Mussulman faith The decree was
sent TO the Sheikh nj Islam who liberated the prs
oncr; and no execution has ever since taken place
for a change of religion.