The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-05-14
The Turkish Sultan.

The Turkish Sultan.
After fourteen years of rule and govern
ance, the Sultan of Turkey presents the fol-
lowing appearances:
He is of medium height, rather short than
tall. we'll proportioned in his person, and
carrying bravely the weight of his onerous
duties. though there are also moments
when an old and careworn look comes
across his face. and when he almost person.
ifies the apathy we so generally connect
with the Turkish character. His beard, cut
into slight point. is black; so are his hair
and eyes. The latter are tender in express
sion, but also penetrating. and he looks his
visitors straight in the face with scrutiny
that seems to read their thoughts. What
destroys the pleasant first impression made
by these eyes is the constant look of uneasi-
ness in them.
The fact is Abdul Hamid does not feel
himself safe even in his own palace. He
does not suspect any one in particular, but
he is on his guard against every one.* x X
Few PadishahS have been beloved by their
subjects as he. Indeed, he is to them quite
a new type OF Sultan. and they do not fail
to appreciate the novelty. Here is man
who does not pass his days in harem toy
ing with his slaves. Here is a man who
takes real interest in the welfare of his
people. who, far from following the exam
pie of his predecessors and leaving the reins
of government in the hands of some clever
cOurtiers. insists on seeing and Judging all
for himself, down to the minutest particu-
lars.
Personally he is most benevolent and
kind hearted. and scarcely month passes
that he does not contribute some large sum
out of his private purse to alleviate suffer
ing among his subjects, irrespective of race
or religion. His character may be summed
up as having for its dominant note an ex-
treme caution, and it is endowed with an
unusual faculty for work. In manner he is
exceedingly polite. especially in his treat
ment of European ladies. Indeed. he un-
derstands the rare art of making himself
respected by all with whom he comes in
contact.
Abdul Hamid gets up early. His toilet
does not detan him long; indeed. it might
detain him longer according to European
codes. Dressed. he at once devOtes himself
to recite the prescribed prayers, after which
he drinks cup of black coffee. and in
Stantly afterward begins to smoke cigar
cites, pastime that he continues all day al
most without intermissiOn, for he is an ar
dent smoker. Breakfast ended, he arranges
family affairs when these require his atten-
tiOn, as is almost always the case with so
large family and of such varied ages and
needs. This dOne he quits the harem and
goes into the selamlik. Here he receives
the reports concerning court affairs. To-
ward 10 o'clock his court Secretary and
chief dignitares appear, bearing the days
dispatches and reports.
These handed in, the Sultan seats himself
on sofa, with on his right. these docu-
ments. and on his left pile of Turkish
newspapers and extracts from the European
press. translated into Turkish for his bene-
tit by translation bureau specially ap-
pointed to that end. His lunch. which fol-
lows the dispatch OF this business. is most
simple-little meat, fair amount OF vege-
tables. The meal ended he will take a
walk in the park or row in little boat
upon one OF the lakes it inclOses, always ac-
cOmpanied by a chamberlain or some high
dignitary. After taking two hours exer-
else in the air he returns to his sitting
rooms, where he holds an open reception,
or else presides over some committee meet
ing.
An hour or two before sunset he once
IuOTo goes Out IOT Walk. DIS uIHuoT Is DIS
simple as his lunch. His favOrite food is
pillaf, sweets, and very little meat He
never touches spirituous liquors, in due obe-
dience to the commands of the prophet. but
he drinks large quantities of sherbet and
eats great deal of ice cream. Dinner
over he receives company in the selamlik,
or he will retire into the harem, where his
daughters play and sing to him. He him.
self on these occasions will often seat HIM
self at the piano, an instrument he plays
fairly we'll. For painting. for fine arts in
general, he has no taste. His women. too,
find him very cold. but he is devoted to his
children and also much attached to all the
mo ahora of ic fa. NJ V ProcS