The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-08
TIE SULTAN OF TURKEY.
Pen Picture of Abdul Hsmid and
His Daily Life.
Prom ule Birmin9ham Post


The sultan is now about so years Of age.
OF tall figure, although rather STOPPING from
the shoulders. His movements are nervous
aud abrupt. The complexion is bilious and
his face is covered by beard Of immense
6laokness; the nose large, Nc thing cruel or
ferocious in the eve, which is only restless
aud searching, full Of ankle and suspi-
cion. Such is the aspect presented by the
sultan as sovereign. Those who have
seea admitted to private Intercourse
with him at Yildiz kiosk de-
scribe him as courteous though
reserved IN manners; speaking slowly and
deliberately and in exceedingly low
tone, in harmony with the silence of the
place, where the walks ore all covered with
tapestry of richest fabric. and carpet into
winch the feet sink by reason Of its excessive
thickness, preciuding the possibility OF any
sound reaching the apartments without.
Ihey say he possesses in an eminent degree
that charm Of easy acquisition peculiar to
sovereigus-the faculty OF assuming inter-
est in the intimate existence Of his visitor,
aud Will inquire in a soft and tender voice
Tor news of the wife and yout full
tamiiy, which charms the lis
tener into belief Of the sincerity Of
the inquirer. No greater contrast
oan be imagined than that which exists be-
tween the sultan and his brother autocrat.
the Emperor Of Russia. They are tue only
Two omnipotent sovereigns left in Europe
tne one hard and infiexble as bar of iron,
the other supple and easy to bend as a viii
low wand. 1t IS quite a mistake to fancy
mat Abdul Hamid passes his life in vol
uptuous idleness behi d the closed lattiees
OF the Yildiz kiosk. On the contrary. his
.irne is spent in the study Of all the ques-
lions OF the day, aud in all those relating to
1 1te government they say he is proficient.
MS principal recreation is the study Of
astronomy, and he often passes the greater
portion OF the night in the observatory
Yildiz.
his only intimate friend. Usnan Pasha.
declares that Abdul Hamid is Impressed
with the idea that to him has been c6nlided
~ Allan the keys Of Europe. and his
nervous temperament leads him to feel most
Hcutely The responsibility of the charge.
W man works harder than he. He rises
WIN the dawn and takes but few hours
sieep, sometimes with pen in hand writing
s t. %nale night. He studies every Ques-
S.on, says Osman Pasha knows all about
very nlng, reads everything which con-
Germs his business, and ever since the af-
-SIIs oL me turkish provinces have occ5-
Seu me foreground be signs every
document presented To him, from the ap-
pS.tiIn1ehe CT a governor TO the nomination
" " e1e lowest officer of the palace" "Of all
Sne olIilcuties the sultan has had TO over
to, aods Osman Pasha, chat of main
t @Slnlng strict political neutrality has been
rae greatest. Refuting all accusations Of
SSaaNalISy, whether for English, French or
~eItaan policy, the sultan remains Turk
uu ottoman to the backbone and the
acute aeute politicians of every country stand
.ssuy prepared to meet this trait in his
SSnaracter 10 view OF the troubles now
usg In the east, OF which
.one can fail to perceive the symp-
s sons' de is persuaded that the Turkish
JUaoler is the best in the world, the most en-
~ I'i ing under privation, the most amenaule
~, alsclpline. the most ready TO die In
ATMie eIse OF mis- creed. ITO the soldier hAs
alan assigned the tasx OF defending the
sounbry; to the the task Of restoring its
SSnclent glory Such is the account given
=! french official admitted to the iuti-
r 49, OIL an individual high in office 1t is
"oren recording as a fore warning Of the
psrL that Abdul Hamid will ba called upon
~ pay IN the troubles asst gathering about
n,m-and, indeed, around us ell, for the
matter Of that.