Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-14
ttlrscellane0ms.
Abdul Hamid.
How THE SULTAN PASSES His TINE AT
HOME.

His majesty is accustomed to rise at an
early hour. and after he leaves his serag-
Ito and has eaten a slight break fast-at
times he only drinks cup of black coffee
his secretaries bring him the portfolios
containing the kilograms. official cores
pondence. and reports which are ready for
perusal. This occupation lasts till noon,
when the d'.juner a la tourchette. which is
generally the chief meal OF the day is
served. liza visitor happens to have the
honor of lunchiny with the Sultan, His
Majesty will perhaps show him afterward
in person, some of the sights of the pal k
and gardens IF which he is very proud.
| here are aviares of rare birds; the I'M
rivaled collection of pigeons; the we'll
stocked menagerie; the stables containing
nearly two hundred horses, some of which
are presents from the Emperors of Russia,
Germany Austria and the Prince of Wales
the riding-school in which the Circassian
Guards are accustomed to exhibit their
prowess and feats of Workmanship
the lake on which the Sultan's lit
tie daughters row themselves in tiny
caiques, to the great delight OF
their father; and now and then some
ighly-priveleged guest is even permitted
to witness musical performance by the
Sultan's child en- in miniature theatre
provided for the purpose. At five O'Clock
the secretaries take away the papers and
unfinished correspondence, for at tina,
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 Che has find COLLECTION
of the best arms that Purdy, Holland and
Lancaster can produce) and shoots the
wild fowl, which decov attracts to the
various lakes in abundance, or at a series
of marks fixed at the side of the paths
If he does not care to ride he drives in 8
pony carriage along the roads which trav.
erse the grounds. His majesty generally
returns to the palace before seven. and
it is at the dinner which now takes place
that he always receives his most hon
ored guests. The service is strictly q
! la Russo; the table is covered with
gold and silver candelabra and massive
epergnes filed with the choicest fruits
and flowers. At the head of the table sits
the Sultan in large gilt chair, anG
behind him stands throughout the mea
one of his interpreters. The cuisine il
admirable, and, although Abdul Hamic
only drinks water himself. wine OF the
most costly vintages are offered to those
who share his hospitality Through hi:
interpreter His Majesty addresses some
remarks to each OF his visitors in success
sion, and as sign of special favor he viii
often help lady sitting near him te
water, salt. or fruit. The splendid ban(
of the Imperial Guard plays during din
ner. and the well-trained Turkish servant.
who glide noiselessly about the room veal
scarlet liveries and heavy gold epaulets
II there is any fault to be found in Sc
magnificent an entertainment it is that the
viands are somewhat cold. The uninitiat
ed would attribute this to the insufficient
warming of the gold plate, but those who
are behind the scenes of lite in an East
ern palace know that every dish must a.
a precautionary measure, be tested by thu
valide hanem-the Sultana Cowager-th,
venerable widow of Abdul Mediid. t.
whom her son is devotedly attached, ant
who regards this particular duty in tn,
light of congenial labor of love. A.
soon as desert is served the Sultan rise.
and quits the room with the ladies. IL h,
wishes to converse with any gentleman
present the interpreter invites him to fol
low as well. In the salon. which, like the
dining-room, is furnished much in tn.
same fashion as the great ante
chamber, cigarettes, coffee. and rosewatel
are passed round. A conjurer. famous
singer. or young tiger may possibly bt
introduced for the entertainment of tn,
guests The tiger sometimes proves /,
little FESTIVE but il is never old enouo II
do any real harm. and its antics and tn,
terror they occasion are the source o.
much amusement. Before ten the Impe
rial carriages have already conveyed the
visitors back to Pera, and the Sultan i:
again busy with his secretaries, and Ions
after midnight he is still occupied in set
Ting naughty points of internal admins
tration, debating cipher messages to hi.
ENJOYS abroad, reading translated preci,
Of foreign newspaper articles (His Majesty
understands only little French). ponder
| ing over the last ominous communication