Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-18
THE SULTAN AT HOME.
Daily Life of abdul Ramid--A Hard
Working PotentAte,
From TIC London World.

WORKING II obenLANeS
From the London World.
His Majesty is accustomed to rise at an
early hour, aud after he leaves his seraglio
and has eaten a slight breakfast-at times
he only drinks a cup of black coifee-his
secretaries bring him the portfolios con
tanning the kilograms, official correspon
dence aud reports which are ready for
perusal. This occupation lasts till.nOon,
when the dejeuner Ia tOUrchette, which
is generally the chief meal of the day, is
served. II visitor happens to have the
honor of lunching with the Sultan, his
Majesty will perhaps shows him after
wards in person some of the sights of the
park and gardens, of which he is very
proud. There are the aviaries OF rare
birds; the unrivalled collection of pigeons;
the well-stocked menagerie; the stables
containing nearly 200 horses, some of
which are presents from the Emperors of
Russia, Germany, Austria and the Prince
of Wales; the great riding-schoOl in
which the Circassian guards are accus-
toned to exhibit their prOwess and feats
OF Workmanship; the lake on which the
Sultau's little daughters row themselves
in tiny CdigueS, TO the great delight of their
father; and now and then some highly
privileged guest is even per-
mitted to witness musical
performance by the Sutlan's chill
dren in miniature theatre provided
for the purpose. At . o'clock the secre-
taries take away the papers and untn-
ished correspondence, for at that hour his
Majesty generally put spurs on his pat
ent leather boots ana mounts his horse
for "A TinA fhn mark SnmatiO1nG ha
takes his gun Che has a tiue collection of
the, best arms that Purdey, Holland &
Lancaster can prOduce) and shoots the
wild fowl which decoys attract to the va
rious lakes in abundance, or at a series of
marks fixed at the side of the paths. II
he does not care to ride, he drives in a
pony carriage along the roads which ira
verse the grounds. His Majesty generally
returns to the palace before 7, and it is at
the dinner which now takes place that he
always receives his most honOred guests.
The service is strictlyd Ia RusSe; the table
is covered with gold and silver candelabra
and massive epergnes filled with the
choicest fruits and flowers. At the head
of the table sits the Sultan in a large gilt
chair, and behind him stands throughout
the meal one Of his interpreters. The
cuisine Is admirable, and, although Abb
dull Hamid only drinks water himself,
Nillbb VI kut AuObb CObbiH Villages uIG Ul-
| Tered TO those who share his hospitality.
Through his Interpreter his Majesty adj
dresses some remarks to each of his visi-
tors in succession, and as a sign of
special favor he will often help lady sit
ting near him to water, salt, or fruit. The
splendid band Of the Imperial Guard plays
during the dinner, and the well-tralned
| Turkish servants who glide nOiselessly
about the room wear scarlet liverIes and
| heavy gold epaulets. If there is any fault
to be found In so magnificent an enter
tainment, it is said that the vlands are
somewhat cold. The uninitIated would
attribute this to the insufficient warming
of the gold plate; but those who are be-
hind the scenes of life in an Eastern
palace know that every dish must, as a
precautionary measure, be previously
tasted by the Valide Hanem-the Sultana
dOwager-the venerable widow of Abdul
Medjid, to whom her son is devotedly at
tached and who regards this particular
duty in the light of a cOngenial labor of
love. AS soon as dessert is served the
Sultan rises and quits the room with the
ladies. If he wishes to converse with any
gentleman present, the interpreter invites
him to follow as well. In the salon, which,
/ like the dining-roOm, is furnished much in
the same fashion as the great ante-cham-
Der, cigarettes, coffee and rcsewater are
passed round. A cOnjuref, a famous
singer or a young tiger may possibly be
! introduced for the entertainment of the
guests. The tiger sometimes proves lit
tie FESTIVE, but 1t is never old enough to
do any real harm, ana It's antics and the
terror they occasion are the source Of
much amusement. Before 10 the imperial
carriages have already conveyed the visi-
tors back to Pera, and the Sultan is again
busy with his secretaries, and long after
midnight he is still occupied in settling
knOtty points of internal administration,
debating cipher messages to his ENJOYS
abroad, reading a translated preciS Of for
eign newspaper articles his Majesty I'M
Gerstands only little French }, pOnderlng
over the last Ominous communication
from Berlin or London, considering the
best means of making matters smooth
with ''little Said" ut the Porte, or answer
ing with diplomatic prudence some per-
picking demand from a foreign Ambassa-
dor. II is often l O'Clock before he quits
his post, and few will be inclined to dis
pute his claim to be, at the present mo-
ment, one Of the most hard-working and
paiustaking soVereigns in Europe.