Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-01-06
SULTANIC TREASURES.
A Glimpse at the Contents or tht
Old SerAglio.

Ever since the days when used to deyur
'The Arabian Nights" l had been filed WITH
an ardent desire to view the marvellous
treasures of the Sultans which are so glow
inRly described in that charming companion
of nv childhood, SO when found myself at
the Golden Horn, one Of my first proceed.
ings was to take steps to get view Of
them. writes a correspondent Of the Jei0eleys'
WseJlu from Constantinople. / must con.
fess. however that had known how much
ceremony and red tape business was to be
gone through before the desired permission
was granted l would have given up the
attempt. trHt
Permission to gaze upon the Sultan's
treasure can only be obtained by means
of firman from his Sublime Highness him
self, sovereign utterance similar to those
by which peace or war is declared. Having,
however, after innumerable difficulties OBJ
tanned the coveted document, an aide-de-
camp conducted me to the palace known as
the Old Seraglio, large, gloomy looking
structure without any windows and sur
rounded by deserted gardens. Upon arriv-
al there was handed over to the guardian
of the Treasures high functionary of most
majestic mien, who was accompanied by
thirty officials of lower rank to assist in the
ceremony of opening the doors. The latter
ranged themselves in two rows, one on
each side of the entrance. A large green
velvet bag containing the keys was passed
from hand to hand until it reached the
guardian Of the treasure. He picked out
the keys and handed them to two of the as
sistants. The outer door was then opened
Behind this was a wrought iron grating
secured by enormous padlocks. This being
swung open we found ourselves in the first
Of three large, badly lighted and mysteri-
ous-looking apartments. l was at last in
the presence of the treasures Of the SultanS
The first object which attracted my at
tention was large throne of beaten gold,
which occupied the center Of the room and
which was incrusted with thousands Of
rubies, emeralds and pearls. This throne,
according to an inscription on it, was taken
by Sultan Selim from the Persians in 1914
1t is, however, doubtful whether this work
Of art is so old. ~ $50. ..a,-Hr .g.
Another throne in the same room is more
interesting. 1t is fine specimen of Turk.
ish art in the sixteenth century. 1t is Of
the same form as the seats found in many
OF the mosques, and was intended to be sat
upon cross-legged, At each corner is a
column which supports dome terminating
In a jeweled point. 1t is of ebony and sand
wood inlaid with mother of pearl, tortoise
shell, gold and silver. 1t is covered with
fantastic plants in mother of pearl
the center OF the flowers being com
posed Of large rubies, emer-
aids, sapphires and pearls. Suspended
by golden chain so as to be over the head
OF the Sultan is golden heart from which
depends large emerald Of irregular form,
measuring four inches long and 112 inches
across.
The three rooms are decorated with mag
nlhcent suits of armor. Here is to be seen
the beautiful coat of mail with damaskeened
plates worn by Sultan Murad ". when he
captured Bagdad in 1885, Beside it is the
scimltar Of the same monarch. The guard
and handle are inlaid with diamonds cut
nat and set in checker work, each stone be-
ing the same size and half an inch square.
ms Is pattern of which the Turkish Jew
elers OF that period seem TO have been fond,
Tor near this sword is large gold vase in
the same style. The whole of the body OF
TINS vessel is hidden by mosaic of quare,
nat diamonds, to the number of 1000.
Inc bulk OF the treasures is in glass
cases, the bottoms Of which are covered
with magnificent velvet horse cloths. One
OF these, measuring eight feet by seven, is
literally covered with designs embroidered
In pearls the size of a large pea. Among
other notable objects are massive conical
gold helmet, pair of golden stirrups of ex-
qulsite design, and daggers, sabers and
other arms without number, all beautifully
decorated with gold and precious stones.
All these are arranged in the greatest
disorder and mingled with objects of no
value BY the side of pieces whose value
Is lncalculable may be seen modern Paris
and Vienna clocks, porcelain vases, pistol
cases, silver knives, forks and spoons,
toothpicks, and even leather cigar cases and
pocket-books. On the other hand. ancient
OBJECTS of European origin are remarkable
ior their absence; and one naturally won
uers what can have become of the many
presents the Sultans must have received
from Christian monarchs, such as euameled
shun boxes, Sevres and Dresden vases. OBJ
lects IN Ormolu and other specimens of old
European art workmanship. Nothing of
tne KIND IS To be seen in the treasure rooms.
Sossioly tney may be kept apart in a room
W LueIQSelVe4 huf q L., ,......