The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-03-04
STANFORD AND THE SULTAN.
What Was Seen With Two Pairs of yam.
keo Eyes Round About the IInrem.

10 Cat reporter recently, Governor
Stanford related chat he had with the Sui
tan of Turkey and described the precious
jewels cherished by the family of that ruler.
Mrs. Stanford he said, found that the
women of the Sultan's harem play with pet
animals as the little girls in this country do
with their dolls, are indolent in manner,
and, as rule, slovenly in dress, although
making brilliant outward show when visit
tors are expected. The utter seclusion from
the world is pitiable TO think of and must
naturally dwarf their intellects, while their
enforced laziness of course tends to develop
selfishness and obesity. Many of their faces
are pretty, but they are rarely marked with
the intelligence that is born, as o rule, of
experience and observation. The chief wife
in the seraglio of the late Sultan Il treated
with profound respect by the few who come
in contact with her, but she told Mrs STAN
ford that she had not been outside of the
harem walls for twelve years past.
By appointment we went one morning
20 the old palace in which the crown Jewels
are kept. 1t seems impossible for me to
give you an adequate idea of the immense
wealth stored in the treasure chambers. In
them are the gems collected during centu.
ries past by rulers of despotic power, and
these precious stones represent moneyed
value that Is extraordinary, although the
amount cannot even be conjectured, as no
one has ever set price on each separate
| q 90 ia IN tlnk
collection is far more valuable than that
| celebrated one in the Green Vaults of Dres-
den, while the latter is estimated to be worth
some $50, O00,0 900. Under glass cases,
which are ranged around the walls and
through the centre of the rooms, are basins
filed with diamonds, rubies, emeralds,
pearls and other precious stones, both cut
and uncut. Cimeters, daggers, pistols, rifles,
shields and other weapons of many q curl
Gus shape as to be found here, the handles
and scabbards of each of them studded with
jewels that represent a fortune. Ornamented
in like fashion do we find saddles and sad
die cloths, turbans, robes of state, carpets.
velvet, silk and satin oanopies, pipes, and
heaven knows what else. Here are wax fip-
ures of all the Sultans who have reipned
and each of these figures is decked with
gems that would have ransomed n king in
the olden days Here is the gorgeous throne
of the Caliph, Haroun ell Rnsched, more
brilliant and costly than anything W.
dreamed of while reading the Arabian
Nights" Numberless other things there are
of precious worth, and after CHANGING them
over person can only wonder how Jewels
retain their high standard of value while SO
many of them are known to exist in single
place. When we passed from the treasure
chambers the outer door was again doubly
locked and sealed, according to the form
prescribed by law, and after coffee had beer
served we drove back to our quarters, daz
zled by what we had seen.
One day had an audience with the Sui.
tan. He wore blue undress uniform OF
European cut, the only traces of Eastern
costume being plain fez and a mngnf.
Gently mounted cimetsr. He appeared to
be rather slight man, some 30 years Of
age, with an intelligent face, that showed 4
somewhat timid character, l should Judge.
and decidedly Jewish east Of features.
During the audience the blacklist of black
coffee and the mildest of cigarettes were
handed around.-Saa Francisco Cal.