The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-09-21

received him as friend coming to condole and
advise. But there was no friendly response to
the Imperial greeting. On the contrary, a
painful feeling Of surprise was expressed by
Lord Stratford at finding such degree of IN
timely levity in his Majesty's mind as that he
should entertain for moment the idea of
building new palaces when his Empire might
be on the verge of its downfall. The Sultan
looked much embarrassed and stammered out
confused request to know what the Elcti Beg
wished him to do.
"Tell him." said the Ambassador, to dis
miss at once all the workmen. His Majesty
has eight palaces already, and would be spend
his money, scarcely sufficient as it is to buy
bread for his troops in the field, in building a
ninth palace for the Emperor of Russia to
occupy? For no assistance can be expected
| from allies of Turkey, if they see such sense
less extravaganza"
The Sultan seemed struck dumb by Lord
Stratford's vehemence, and only clapped his
| hands together to summon chamberlain,
whom he ordered to 90 and stop the works in
the garden, for he had changed his mind about
them. Lord Stratford then uttered few
plain words ofpaternal approval, and took his
leave, with all the appearance of having had
his indignation disarmed by the schoolboy-
| like submission. of the Commander of the
Faithful.
When, in his turn, the Sultan asked the
Ambassador to change his mind ON other sub
! iects, like result was not always attained.
/ remember a rather remarkable occasion when
Lord Stratford refused to accede to the Sultan's
request. Mehemet Ali Pacha was the husband
of one of Abdul Medjid's sisters, and was then
Minister Of the Navy. He had recently pur-
chased beautiful Greek slave, and he saw
her one day at an open window in conversation
with Greek gardener, who was moving the
lawn behind bis palace. The poor thing had
been glad to find some one to speak to in
| her own mother tongue. The Pacha approach
ed the girl in silence, and stabbed her to the
heart with a dagger. This reached Lord
Stratfurd's ears, and, when MehemetAli Pacha
next called at the Ambassy, he was not re-
ceived. The Sultan sent an aide-de-camp to
ask the Ambassador why we had refused to
see one of his Imperial Majesty's Ministers,
and his brother-in-law.
"Tell the Sultan" said Lord Siratford,
"that an English Ambassador can never
admit to his presence a cruel assassin"
Another attempt was made, through the
medium of the Grand Vizier, TO appease the
Ambassadors anger; but it was in vain, and
Mehemet ali Pacha was dismissed from Office.
Several years before this, conflict arose
between the Embassy and the Porte, about an
Armenian Christian who had become Mus
SULLIVAN, and soon after repenned OIL apostacy-
He was received again in his former Church );
but by Mussulman law, the abjuring OF
Isamism was punishable with death, and many
such sentences had been carried out. The
man was condemned by the Sheikhul Islam to
he beheaded The decision of the highest
judicial authority could not be modified. The
Ambassador went to the Sultan, who deplored
his inability to satisfy him. He announced to
the Porte that he could not remain at Constan-
tinople 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. He
returned 10 the Sultan to take leave, on the
rupture of diplomatic relations between Eng
land and Turkey. Abdul Medjid actually
groaned in despair, saying he could do nothing
to prevent it.
"Your Majesty can easily prevent it," ex-
claimed Lord Stratford "You are Caliph,
and you can alter the Mussulman law by a
decree as SUCH"
The Sultan stared wildly around, and then
with trembling voice lie said he would do so.
He would do anything lawful TO avoid she'd
ding blood. This was quite true, for Abdul
Medjd had nothing of the bloodthirsty Turk
in him. But he was weak and vacilating
He attempted to dictate a decree to his
Chamberlain in vague, equivocal terms, which
could have no effect Mr.. Alison, the Orien-
tai Secretary of Embassy, who was present,
informed the ambassador of this in a whisper.
"Write it yourself in Turkish" said Lord
Stratford, and give it to tile Sultan to sign"
Mr. Alison wrote in Turkish, I" Mintad katR
Dina" " ga convert cannot be put todeath' }.
The Sultan read the words, and affixed to
them his seal as Caiiph of the Mussulman
faith The decree was sent to the Sheikhul
Islam, who liberated the prisoner; and no
execution has ever since taken place for
change of religion