Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-05
LOOKING FOR THE PROPHET,

canoe OF tie COntet-1i1e Expected Coming
Ofthe MmssMtnaaM's SariOr.
A Constantinople correspondent Of the
New York Herald writes: As the sultan
is surrounded by men well up in the art of
divinatioE, and as his astrologers are not
only readers of the stars but are also clever
Interpreters of dreams and skillful pro-
fessors of all ancient practices of the
Chaldees, it is but natural that all alb
normal appearances in the heavens should
excite great attention at Yildiz. This
large comet, coming SO suddenly into view,
is said to have created quite commotion
at the palace. His majesty can hardly
rest from the desire to have the mystery
of its appearance solved, and the ''wise
men of the East being at fault M. Coum-
barry, the European astronomer and meteor
olgist of Turkey, has been charged to make
special study of the matter. He is sum-
moned to Yildiz nearly every day to an
swer questions respecting its origin and
probable course among tho stars, for it
would seem that some very abstruse cal
culations are being carried out by the as
trological body, with the view of ascertain
ing the influence the comet is likely to
have upon the immediate future of Islam.
In a few days the religion and polity in
treduced BY Mahomet will enter upon a
new century of existence, and there is a
widespread belief among Mussulmans that
its early days will witness some very re-
markable occurrences. According to
prophecies extending over eleven csntur-
les the great Mohammedan hero is to
make his appearance, who is to revive the
faded glories of the past. He is to be a
very "Soliman" in council and a "Rustem"
in war, and is to plant the standard of
''Islam" over the whole Eastern world.
Unfortunately for the Mussulman ex-
pectants the predictions concerning the
''Medhi," which, by the bye, simply sig
mites reformer, are very oracular, and the
exact date and place of his birth, etc., are
consequently unknown. The general idea,
however, among those who put faith in
these ancient sayings is that the "Medhi''
will make his appearance at the beginning
of the new century. According to their
idea. therefore, the coming reformer must
be already we'll advanced toward manhood,
and may be sought for in any direction.
There was really some hope entertained
among the credulous Mohammedans that
Arab Pasha would prove to be the man
until Tel-el Kebir opened their eyes, and
after that event the imperial astrologers,
ordered by the sultan, set to work to try
and discover the true warrior prophet. It
does not necessarily follow that the mehdi
as yet is himself aware of the high destiny
in store for him, and palace gossip AYERS
that Abdul Hamid is not without an idea
that he 1.-THE sultan,) who has been laboring
so hard to rebuild the caliphate, may in the
end be recognized as the instrument for
carrying out the divine will. The calcul-
alton, it is said, had been going on swim
mingly when this large comet turned up so
suddenly. All that the astrologers have
been able to make out as yet is that it is of
most malignant aspect and bodies evil
to someone or another. Unlike the comet
of last year, it stretches right across
the eastern sky, and in the eyes of the ma
glclans has somewhat the appearance of a
broad-bladed. flaming sword. The last
| comet was small affair, but it brought
great Joy to the heart of the sultan How
| ering over the imperial palace, with its
| tail pointing upward, it looked exactly
like the diamond star and aigrette plume
worn in the fez of a Turkish sultan on
| state occasions, and his majesty may well
| have looked upon it as favorable omen.
foreteliing good fortune to the house of
Gilman. It left, however, and with it
seemed to depart all the good luck of the
Turks. The suitan's schemes in Egypt ex-
perienced their first check in the refusal Of
| Arab to be entirely guided by the palace.
and then in time came the utter collapse.