The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-02-20
AMONG THE ORIENTALS.
coNsTANTINoPLEA BABEL OF RACES.
Peculiarities OF Mshomm edan Life-French
the Common Tongue-Barbers and Ba-
Ears-Turkish Dogs-Departure From
the Turkish Capital-Smyrna.

SMYRNA, Asia, Oct - Especial. i
There is probably no place in the world
where a more mixed population is observ-
able than in Constantinople, and, arrayed
in all manners of costume, there may be
seen, jostling each other on the principal
thoroughfares. wild Kurds, dignifed Per-
slams, fierce Aibanians, Syrians, Georgians,
Bokharans, Turcomans, Tunisians, Arme-
mans. Circassians, Greeks, Maltese, Eng
fish, French, Italian, etc. The Persians
are very numerous, and are tall, fine-look-
ing men. Although Mohammedans, they
belong TO a different sect from the Turks,
being followers OF Ali, the son-in-law of
the prophet. They are usually merchants.
and may always be distinguished by their
long black robes and black "kalpak," or
head covering.
In this babel of different races French
Is recognized as the common tongue upon
which all foreigners unite, and it is con-
sequently as much the language Of the
Frank quarter as Turkish is of the native.
There is no place where the fact is more
strongly evidenced that French is still
the ruling language in the intercourse be-
tween different nations and people, and
any one speaking French finds little diff
ficulty in getting along here or in any
other part of the globe. Constantineplo
contains large foreign or Frank popula-
ton which resides in its own quarter of
the city, known as Pera and Galata. The
latter. founded during the rule of
the Genoese, occupies the north-front of
the magnificent harbor of the Golden
Horn, and is the location of the
principal banks and business houses of
the Europeans, and on the hill above it
stands Pera, where they have their res
licences and their retail shops scattered
along the "Grand Rue de Pera, the strag-
Cling main street OF the place. As evidence
of the wonderfully mixed up races that
occupy il. ii is noticeable that nearly all
shop signs are given in the four languages
most generally in use, Turkish, French,
Greek and Armenian. The main portion
of the city which lies to the right of the
Golden Horn is occupied almost exclu-
sively by the natives, and is called Stam-
boul, although that is the name by which
the Mohammedans usually designate the
whole of Constantinople when speaking
among themselves This, of course,
is the most interesting division
10 the tourist, and here are
located the principal mosques, khans,
bazars and other essentially oriental at
fractions. The khans are something in
the nature of public inns, built by the gov
eminent for the benefit of travelling mer-
chants, where they are furnished lodging
and space and conveniences for the eX-
hibitiOn of their goods to the retail deal
ers. The bazars are occupied by the local
shop-keepers and in all the eastern cities
are among the best places to study tho
peculiarities of Mohammedan life, and
one OF the most enjoyable experiences of
COnstantinople is a visit to their display
OF oriental manufactures and products
The 'Bezesteen," the "Grand Bazaar" of
Stamboul, is a little city in itself, with
narrow streets running through it in
all directions, which are always crowdde
with a motley throng of purchasers who
every once in a while are compelled to make
way for a heavily loaded camel or a gaily
caparisoned donkey mounted by Turk
ish woman riding "straddle" after the Mo-
hammedan fashion. The donkey is not
only largely used for riding but the dom
key and the street porters are the usual
freight carriers of ConstantInople. FIRE.
quently, dozen of these sturdy little
beasts, in single file, NAV be seen toiling
through the streets, weighed down by
huge panniers on either side filled with
heavy burdens that almost conceal them
from view, While on the opposite side of the
wav procession of "hamals" or street
porters stagger along, bent double under
loads that in America we would not think
of putting on horse. The different trades
are each allotted their own special quarter
of the bazaar where only that particular
kind of goods is exposed for sale, many of
the displays being of the richest and most
entieing character. Here there is nothing
but altar of roses and perfumery there
red pointed toed sandals and slippers,
next Persian rugs and Turkish carpets,
beyond highly ornamented daggers and
blades of Damascus, and so on through
the entire collection. The little bandbox-
like shops are entirely open on the front
so that the buyer stands in the street.
while the seller is inside. There the dig
nified merchant calmly awaits the trade
which Allah is TO send him, as he sits
cross-legged on the floor slipping his coffee
and smoking the narghileh. The negotia-
tions that precede all purchases are long
and tedious. as the shOpkeeper never
thinks of asking at the outset less
than about four times the real price and
the customer always begins by offering a
sum far below what he expects TO give in
the end. With this wide divergence to
start on they slowly. but gradually, work
up to something like fair equalization
after much bargaining and palavering.
This is the regular course of procedure,
and all business is conducted on this
basis. The ridiculous delay and haggling
is most vexatious 10 one accustomed to
the hurry and directness of American
methods, but it is the Mussulmans way
In everything in life, and nothing can
alter or change him.
Continuing on into the poorer bazars
there may be seen the baker making
bread as you stand beside him, or
the shoemaker sitting on the street
corner hammering away at his
work. The barber also fathers
his victim and plies his trade in the
open street, and he wanders about the
bazars and cafes with peculiar shaped
brass basin about his neck seeking Gus
toners. The strolling vender of sweets is
likewise conspicuous figure, as he cries
his wares at the top of his voice inviting
the wayfarer to partake in the name of
Allah, while he dishes out Turkish de-
light, "malaby," and other conglomera-
tions of swedish. sickening taste, made
of rice, sugar and similar ingredients,
washed down with sherbet, drink made
by pouring boiling water over fruits to
extract the flavor. ii something more
substantial is desired, there is "pilaff,"
u