The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-05-06
ABDUL HAMID.
What the Grand Turk Looks Like In His
Own Palace,

Abdul Hamid is of medium height,
rather short than tall. well-proportion-
ed 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
iies the apathy we so generally con-
meet with the Turkish character, says
''Sovereigns and Courts of Europe
His beard, cut into a slight point, is
black; so are his hair and eyes. The
latter are tender in expression, but
also penetrating, and he looks his
visitors straight in the face with a
scrutiny that seems to read their
thoughts. What destroys the pleasant
first impression made by these eyes is
the constant look of uneasiness in them.
The fact is Abdul Hamid does not
feel himself safe even in his own
palace. He does not suspect any per-
son in particular, but he is on his
guard against every one.
Few padishahs have been so beloved
| by their subjects as he. Indeed, he is
to them quite new type of sultan
and they do not fail to appreciate the
novelty. Here is man who does not
pass his days in his harem toying
with his slaves. Here is a man who
takes a real interest in the welfare of
his people. who, far from following
the example of his predecessors and
leaving the reins of government in
the hands of some clever courtiers, in
sists on seeing and judging all for HIM
self, down to the minutest particulars.
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 suffering among his subjects,
irrespective of race or religion. His
character may be summed up as hav-
ing for its dominant note an extreme
caution, and he is endowed with an
unusual faculty for work. In manner
he is exceedingly polite. especially in
his treatment of European ladies. In
deed, he understands the rare art of
making himself respected by all with
whom he comes in contact.
Abdul Hamid gets up early. His
toilet does not detain him long; indeed.
it might detain him longer according
to European codes. Dressed he at
once devotes himself to recite the pre-
scribed prayers after which he drinks
cup of black coffee and instantly
afterward begins to smoke cigarettes,
a pastime that he continues all day al
most without intermission. for he is an
ardent smoker. Breakfast ended, he
arranges family affairs when these re-
quire his attention, 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 concern
ing court affairs. Toward 10 o'clock
his court secretary and chief digni-
taries appear, bearing the days dis
patches and reports. These handed in
the sultan seats himself on sofa, with,
on his right, these documents, and on
| his left pile of Turkish newspapers
and extracts from the European press.
translated into Turkish for his benefit
by translation bureau specially ap-
pointed to that end. His lunch, which
follows the dispatch of this, is most
simple-little meat, fair amount of
vegetables.
| The meal ended he will take a walk
in the park or row in a little boat up
on one of the lakes it incloses, always
accompanied by chamberlain or some
high dignitary. After taking two
hours exercise in the open air he re-
turns to his sitting-rooms. where he
holds an open reception or else presides
over some committee meeting. An
hour or two before sunset he once
more goes out for walk. His dinner
is as simple as his lunch. His favorite
food is pillaf, sweets and very little
meat. He never touches spirituous
liquors, in obedience 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 for him. He himself on these
occasions will often seat himself at the
piano. an instrument he plays fairly
well. For painting, for fine arts in
general. he has no taste. His women,
too, find him very cold, but he is de-
voted to his children, and also much
attached to the members of his family.