Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-03-30
: CConciuded + ON second pageJ

the Sultans disposed Of them by presenting
them to the favorites OF the harem.
Around the rooms, ranged against tn
walls, are large vases filled with uncu
gems and coins Of gold and silver. / re
marked, however, that the coins were com
paratively modern, and that the gems cOulC
not compare in value with those inlaid il
the objects / have already described. II is
probable that the exigences Of a depleted
exchequer caused the owners Of the treasure
from time 10 time TO dispose Of the origi
nal and more valuable contents Of the
cases and to substitute for them those now
found there.
The treasure contains a splendid lot Of
large vases Of rock crystal, jade, onyx and
cups and TASKS Of gold, all of Indian or
Persian origin There are also two large
octagonal jars of evident Gothic origin and
a whole series of Oriental porcelains
mounted in gold fligree work, to say moth
ing Of some beautiful pieces Of blue and
white Persian porcelain.
The middle rooms contain the state robes
Of the Sultans, from 1853 to 1859. These
are displayed on headless lay figures, the
tur5ans being placed directly on the
shoulders, which produces a very grotesque
effect This is more particularly the case
WIN llS Diib REPRESENTING Lllt ldSb VI lut
Mahomets, whose state robe was simply the
uniform of Russian or Austrian General.
1t Is doubtful whether these costumes are
really the state apparel of each Sultan, and
there is also reason for believing that this
historical collection was formed at a COM
paratively recent date. There is, however,
no doubt that the costumes belong to the
dates assigned TO them, and that some Of
those belonging to the sixteenth and seven
teenth centuries were really worn by the
Sultans of that period.
Each turban is surmounted by a band
some aigrette, held in place by jewel, and
IN each belt is a magnificent dagger. Most
Of these arms are veritable masterpieces of
art. One of the carved gold guards is
worthy of Cellini, and the handle of another
dagger is formed Of a single emerald. The
profusion of stones on the dagger and on
the aigrettes Of the turbans Is really won
derful. One Of the latter is held in place by
a clasp composed Of two emeralds and
ruby, each 1l2 inch IN diameter. All the
robes are of magnificent brocade. so richly
embroidered that they would stand alone.
In passing out Of the treasure house l was
taken through kiosk containing the an
cient library of the Sultans. 1t contains be-
tween two and three thousand volumes in
manuscript, all in leather cases and piled
one on top of the other. At the time of the
Renaissance the eyes of the whole of West
ern Europe were cast longingly toward this
collection, which was supposed to contain
the books of the Byzantine Emperors and
to include many unpublished works by the
classic writer's Of Greece and Rome No
person, however, was allowed to enter it,
even request to be allowed to do so from
Louis XIV having been refused. 1t is now
believed that the collection does not contain
any classical manuscripts, but on this point
there can be no certainty, as the contents
of the volumes are still jealously guarded
from view