Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-16
THE SULTAN AT HOME.

THE SULTAN AT HOME.
His Majesty is accustomed to rice at an
early hour. and after he leaves his seraglio
and has eaten slight break fast-at times
he only drinks cup of black coffee-his
secretaries bring him the portfolios contain
ing the kilograms, official correspondence
and reports which are ready for perusal.
This occupation lasts till noon, when the
dejcuner a la fourchettc, which is generally
the chief meal of the day, is served. If a
visitor happens to have the honor of lunch
ing with the Sultan, His Majesty will per-
haps show him afterwards in person some OF
the sights of the park and gardens, ofwhich
he is very proud. There are the aviaries of
rare birds; the unrivalled collection of pig
cons; the Well-stocked menagerie the Ste
bles containing nearly two hundred horses,
some of which are presents from the Emper-
ors of Russia, Germany Austria and the Prince
of Wales; the great riding-school in which
the Circassan guards are accustomed to ex-
hibit their prowess and feats Craftsmanship;
the lake on which the Sultan's little daugh-
ters row themselves in tiny caiqucs, to the
great delight of their father; and now and
then some highly privileged guest is even
permitted to witness musical performance
by the Sultan's children in a miniature
theatre provided for the purpose. AT five
o'clock the secretaries take away the papers
and unfinished correspondence, for at that
hour his Majesty generally puts spurs on
his patent-leather boots and mounts his
horse for ride in the park Sometimes he
takes his gun The has fine collection of
the best arms that Purdey, Holland and
Lancaster can produce) and shoots the wild
fowl which decoy attract to the various
lakes in abundance, or at series of marks
fixed at the side of the paths If he does
not care to ride, he drives in pony car
riage along the roads which traverse the
grounds. His Majesty generally returns to
the palace before 7, and it is at the dinner
which now takes place that he always re-
ceives his most honored guests. The SER
vice is strictly la Russe; the table is COW
cred with gold and silver candelabra and
massive epergnes filled with the choicest
fruits and flowers. AZ 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 Abdul Hamid
only drinks water himself, wines of the
most costly vintages are offered TO those
who share his hospitality. Through his in
terpreter his Majesty addresses some re-
marks to each of his visitors in succession,
and as sign of special favor he will often
help lady sitting near him to water, salt,
or fruit. The splendid band of the Imperial
Guard plays during dinner, and the we'll
trained Turkish servants who glide noise
lessly about the room wear scarlet iveres
and heavy gold epaulets. If there Is any
fault to be found in so magnificent an enter
tainment, it is that the viands are somewhat
cold. The uninitiated would attribute this
to the insufficient warming of the gold plate;
but those who are behind the scenes of life
in an Eastern palace know that every dish
must as precautionary measure, be prevl-
ously tasted by the Vaide Hanem-the
Sultana dowager-the venerable widow OF
Abdul Medid, to whom her son is devoted
" attached 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. Ii
he wishes to converse with any gentle
man present, the interpreter invites him
to follow as we'll. In the salon, which,
like the dining room, is furnished
much in the same fashion as the great
aute-chamber, cigarettes, coffee and rose
water are. passed round. A conJurer, ia
nous singer or young tiger may possibly
be introduced lot tuS enbcTtdluucul VI ohO
guests. The tiger sometimes proves little
FESTIVE, but it is never old enough to do any
real harm, and its antics and the terror they
occasion are the source of much amusement.
Before ten the imperial carriages have al
ready conveyed the visitors back to Pera,
and the Sultan is again busy with his secre-
taries, and long after midnight ne is still
occupied in settling knotty points OF inter
nal administration, debating cipher mes
sages to his envoys abroad, reading trans
lated precis of foreign newspaper articles
His Majesty understands only little
French), pondering over the last omnous
communication from Berlin or London, con-
sidering the best means of making matters
smooth with "little Said" at the Porte, or
answering with diplomatic prudence some
perplexing demand from from a foreign am
bassador. 1t is often / o'clock before he
quits his post, and few will be inclined to
dispute his claim to be, at the present mo,
ment. one of the most hard working and
pains taking sovereigns in Europe.-Londo'
| World.