National Republican., 1886-12-25
EASTERN SCENES.
Constantlnople Tho Sultan at the
Mosnne.
[speelal CO.. Of NAtIoNAL RErupMoAN.l

Mosque.
Special Cor OF NATIoNAL REPUBMCAN.l
CoNsTANTiNoPLE, Dec. 6.--After an early
lunch in Pera we set out with the embassy
cavafs as an escort, and drove to the yell
dize palace to sec the sultan 90 to mosque.
Our cavsss secured us seats in the visitors
room Of the corps dc guarde within the
palace grounds, aud near the main gateway.
These grounds are quite extensive, aud
most beautifully ornamented. The broad
streets leading to them from Pera are well
shaded, aud great care Is taken that there
be no slippery or otherwise dangerous
places on the highways over which the sui
tan must ridc,fOr "once on time" u sultan
was thrown and slightly injured by his
horse stumbling on a wet and slippery
pavement-then decree went forth that all
those paving stones &c removed, and tho
streets kept well sanded henceforth aud
forever This palace Of Yeldlze Is smaller
and less imposing than many Of those set.
ting close to the shores OF the BOsphofus,
but IL is said to be much more homellke,
and is tho favorite home OF the present sui.
tan. Certainly its commanding situation
and charming surroundings leave little 20
be desired II ones happiness comes from
without. The mosque Of Hlamidvik, near
the imperial residence, 10 q beautiful feature
In the landscape, with It's graceful minarets
and elaborate OrnnmontatiOu and gliding.
While waiting for the arrival OF the sui
tan II was interesting to observe the Mussel-
men, who had already overnowed the
mosque at their devotions. Mats had been
spread In front Of the main entrance, and
"the faithful, after first removing their
shoes and dOuning slippers, all set their
faces toward Mecca and kept time TO the
monotone chanting OF the Koran by pros
trating themselves to the ground, then long
rows OF them slowly rising as If imbued
with ono impulse, one spirit. / can com
pare this perfect ugison Of motion to moth
ing but tho rising aud falling of great ocean
ewells.
We also observed band Of laborers, with
watering carts and loads Of sand, assdu-
ouely preparing the way over which his ion
perial majesty YVES soon TO pass, while
fully 5000 soldiers, comprising several In
fantry battallons, many marines, and squad
rons Of well. mounted cavalry, kept the way
along the whole line Of passage for their
sovereign. When at length hU appeared in
sight, the soldiers all salnted, and great
cry OF "Allah ln went up from the vast
multitude who had come to witness the
pageant
The sultan was accompanied by their ex-
cellencies Osman aud Nasnyk Pasha. Be-
fore he alighted the pranclng steeds that
brought them were detached from the car
riage, as were also the horses that conveyed
the sultanna and her attendants. The latter
remained In secuslon Of their closed car
riages while the devotional services were
in progress. The sultan and numerous at
tendants walked up the carpeted steps OF
the mosque. Our position, In large upper
window, gave us good view OF his person.
He appears little above medium height,
rather stout, and has a fine, intelligent face
AS soon as he had entered the mosque q
snow white steed with richly gilded and
embroidered housings, also pheaton tastily
ornamented to which were attached two Of
his favorite Arabian horses with harness
heavily mounted with gold, were added to
the carriage already In waiting. II is never
to be known how long the sultan will re-
main absorbed in his devotions nor what
whim or fancy will take possession OF his
mind when they are ended; all his move
ments must be shrouded In mystery, since
he lives In constant fear Of assassination.
No mortal must know In what conveyance
he will appear In public. He remained
about thirty minutes at his devotion, then
stood in the vestibule OF the mosque at
tended by numerous guard, while the
whole 5000 passed 10 review, keeping ex.
cellent time to the music OF their bands.
The soldiers nearly all appear to be under
the medium height, and are Of every shade
of color, from the blue-eyed Slav to the
darkest Ethiopian. They are also a hardy
looking set OF men, and present a rather
imposing appearance when on parade.
Their dress IS somewhat varied, though the
most Of them wear dark-blue uniform
trimmed with red, and all except the z
wear the regulation fez, which is the uni
yersal badge Of Ottoman subject. The
head dress Of the Y is the picturesque orr
entail turban. They were mostly Africans,
and appeared TO be well drilled.
The cavalry officers were perfectly daz-
cling In gold lace, jeweled sabers and
c9Ofds, medals, and other decorations.
The cavalry horses were beautiful, high
blooded animals and trained to keep perfect
time with the music OF the imperial band,
which was stationed amphitheatricall on
the hill side above the mosque. This re-
view continued for full half hour, though
the marching was very rapid. When the
sultan emerged from the mosque loud cries Of
Allah again rent the air, and all the faithful
bowed to the dust. Hurriedly glancing at the
array Of conveyanccs IN waiting, he took a
seat In the phaeton, and taking the reins
drove slowly through the arched gateway
amid the widest of racing footmen and
frantic cries OF hundreds Of yelled women
who held aloft petitions written on paper
of every bright shade OF color, which the
sultan's attendants carefully collected and
gave into his hands. | am told he gives
personal attention to all these petitions, as
1t is the only opportunity granted these
poor women to approach the throne. The
persistence Of the professional heggars as
they thronged around the sultanna's carriage
as she drives away would have been anus.
ing If 1t lad been less pitiful. When at
length an attendant began to distribute the
purse she gave him, II seemed there was
danger Of his being torn limb from limb,
so eager was each wretch for share OF the
bounty. These scenes are enacted over
and over every one Of the flfty.two weeks
Of the year, no doubt. AS we entered our
carriage to drive away, q young gentleman
fresh from free America remarked to me,
"this is the most remarkable pageant ever
witnessed.n /, with heart swelling with
pride, replied, al am thankful that such
land.n /. A. Y.