The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-08-28
AT THE YILDlz KIOSK.
Where the Sultan of Turkey Has His Per-
manent Residence.

CLondon World.1
There are probably few more charming
spots in the world than the one which the
reigning sultan of Turkey has chosen for
the site Of his permanent residence. AS
soon as Abdul Hamid succeeded his brother
he determined to turn his back once and for
all on the melancholy magnifcence Of Dolma
Baghche, and build him house after his
own heart on the picturesque heights of
Yildiz. From the upper windows, or, bet
ter still, from the terrace roof of his dwell
ing, the sultan can gaze at his pleasure on
the snow-covered crest Of Mount Olympus,
the bright blue waters of the BosphoruS,
the hazy outline of Prinkipo and her sister
islands on the coast of Asia, and on the
domes and minarets of STEAMBOAT, while
through the rich foliage of his park he may
catch occasional glimpses Of the ever-bu'y
Golden Horn, and the villas and streets or
Pera.
The palace itself with its numerous out
buildings its stables, and its military
camp, covers the summit of the
Yildiz hill, and the grounds and gar
dens which surrounded it slope gently
downward almost to the seashore below.
A lofty wall incloses both palace and park,
and the painful glare Of the whitewashed
brick is already in many places agreeably
relieved by the presence of luxurant
growth of ivy and creeperS, while the tops
of the date palms and Towering trees wave
over it in the refreshing breeze. Above it
rises the cream -colored facade Of the uppsr
story of the palace itself, with its broad,
fat roof and brightly painted green persien-
mes. After leaving the landing place at the
arsenal you pass the deserted courts of
Dolma Baghche, and the prison palace of
the ex-Sultan Murad, and then turn alb
ruptly up the face OF the hill.
From this point the road winds first to the
right and then to the left, till you arrive
somewhat unexpectedly before the greaf
gate of curiously-w wrought iron-work
through which you peep at pleasant pic
ture OF marble fountains and bright flowers
and foliage beyond. The adjoining guard
house is full of soldiers; officers and aide-de-
camps in brilliant uniforms are walking to
and fro; a military band is playing stir
ring Turkish air, and all seems neatnesS and
animation There is no sign of the tradi-
tiOnal decay of the Turkish empire here.
The artillery which is popularity supposed to
protect the portals of Yildiz IS wanting. 1t
j., together with the bomb-proof carriage in
which the sultan is said to take his daily
irive, the happy creation Of some news
paper correspondent in search of the SEN
sational
At the order of the courteous chamberlain
who receives you wicket-gate opens and
you are led across the paved court of
dazzling whitness which faces the entrance
of the palace. In all probability you will
meet some stately peacocks, or maybe a
flock of pigeons, before you reach your des-
tination. A great glass door admits the
visitor to the spacious hall, which is, per-
haps, the most striking feature in the
whole building. White marble pillars Of
exquisite workmanship support the gilded
roof; lofty mirrors in gilt frames and
brackets, inlaid with mother of pearl.
adorn the walls; while the sumptuous
divans, covered with the richest and gayest
products of the looms of Broussa, invite you
to share the dolce far niente of eastern
luxury.