The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-11-28

him drive home again; then they dlsperse.
We followed out the programme. Sta
toned upon the front of the terrace over
looking the avenue we saw every move
ment, from the scattering of the roadway
with fresh sand out Of dozen or so loaded
carts, to the final departure of the soldiers.
We saw company after company Of Turk
ish soldiers, among them zouaves in green
turbans and baggy trousers, march upon
the ground to draw up in lines along the
avenue. We saw the cavalry come, various
companies of them, with bay, white or gray
horses. Military bands played the Sultan's
grand march. There seemed to be no end
to the soldiers. They completely surround
ed the mosque and lined the road by which
his Majesty would come from the palace.
We grew tired waiting before the muezzln
appeared upon minaret and gave the
wailing call to prayer. 1t was the signal
for the Sultan to come, and whilewe looked
there appeared team of prancing bays be-
fore an open carriage, in which two men
were seated. One we recognized imme-
diately as the Sultan. He wore red fez,
but otherwise was dressed in the ordinary
citizens clothes of modern civilization.
His face we looked at long and earnestly. 1t
would be presumptuous to criticise the great
Emperor after this single look at him.
Suffice it to say that his face inspired us
with feeling akin to pity, so plainly it
showed that life was not fulfilling his best
desires. We wondered if he would not be
willing, at times, to change places with his
meanest soldier, to have the sense of indie
pendence, of freedom and security it would
give him. But we wished that he might
look brave and strong, if he did not feel so.
The presence of the myriads of soldiers
seemed an insult to him. We remembered
the King of Italy and the Emperor of
Germany, and the contrast was painful.
But a vociferous welcome met him. The
soldiers cheered Justify and the young Eng
lishmen and Germans upon the terrace
threw up their hats and roared huzzahs
While he remained within the mosque
we waited wearily. Cigarettes and coffee
were passed about among the crowd, "with
the Sultans compliments to his guests.
/ Others besides the tourists and cOmmoners
were waiting for the worshipers' prayers to
be over. Standing before the mosque in
the yard were two closed carriages, from
which the horses had been removed, 1.-The
Sultana," it was whispered, and we were
left to fancy the bright eyes which were
surveying the scene through the slitsin the
wooden window shades
When the Sultan came out another ear
riage awaited him, this time a roomy phae-
ton. He entered it alone, took up the
reins, managed cleverly the beautiful white
horses that champed their bits and paved
the air. and so drove himself homeward
This independent action pleased us, but
still he was guarded. Generals rushed
after him, following and surrounding the
phaeton, on foot, dignity gone to the winds
Just as so many school boys would chase q
passing wagon 'to catch ride. And SC
we saw the last of him. There were var
ious maneuvres on the part of the soldiers
and then we found the way to our own
carriage and were soon at home.
TURKISH WOMEN.
A fine chance to see the Turkish peo-
pie, and most particularly the women, is to
90 on a Friday afternoon to the Sweet
Waters. "Sweet' means simply fresh.
| Two of these favorite spots exist, one on
the Asian and the other on the European
side. We found it pleasant drive to the
latter, of nearly an hour, through the city
and over the barren country hills. At the
end was green valley, through which
flowed theupper waters Of the Golden Horn
Along the bank were sycamores and weep,
ing willows, just coming into leaf. Over
the meadows blossomed forget-me- nots and
the tall snow-drops. On mats stretched by
the waters edge recIincd veied women.
Their shoes were thrown off, and they
lounged upon piles of cushions in attitudes
as unconcerned as if in the depths of then
secluded homes. Children played around
Gypsies wandered here and there singing
gay songs, begging and selling flowers
Men with water jars were everywhere
clinking glasses to announce their approach
So were the candy merchants everywhere
and the fancy bread merchants and the
orange merchants. Lines of carriages
passed slowly back and forth, in which
were the flowers of the harems, too careful
of themselves to take their pleasure out
side. We looked eagerly for beauties, anC
IN rare cases were not disappointed, but We
must confess that the majority of these fal
famed Turkish DANES were unattractive
There were handsome dresses, salmon, pink
and light blue seeming to be the favoritt
colors, with elegant embroidery. The wells
of white muslin were becoming, as they are
pictured. But the lovely eyes, the alabas
ter complexion, the numberless charms SC
often described, were conspicuous by theil
absence. Many carriages contained gen
tlemen, often officers in uniform. They
like ourselves, all appeared interested in
the ladies carriages.
This same impression we carried with US
throughout our stay in Constantinople.
We constantly saw women upon the streets,