The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-29
THE TURKISH SULTAN.
A Pen Picture Of The Person AID Life Of Abdul
Hdmid,

After fourteen years of rule and govern
ance, the Sultan OF Turkey presents the fol-
lowing appearance:
He is of medium height, rather short than
tall, well pr0portioned in his person,
and carrying bravery the weight Of his
onerous duties, though there are also mo-
ments when an old and careworn look
comes across his face, and when he al
most personifes The apathy we so gener-
ally connect with the Turkish character.
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 scrutiny that seems to read their
thoughts. What destroys the pleasant first
impression made by these eyes is the con-
slant 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 one in particular, but
he is on his guard against every one.
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 la!l
to appreciate the novelty. Here is man
who does not pass his days in harem toy
ing with his slaves. Here is a mHn who
takes q real interest in the welfare of bis
people, who. far from following the example
of his predecessors and leaving the reins of
government in the hands of some clever
cOurtiers, insists on seeing aud judging all
for himself, down TO the minuteSt particu-
lars
Personally, he is most benevolent and
knd-hearled, 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-
enntinn mud ii 10 pnHnWaI with 81
unusual faculty for work. In manner he IS
exceedingly polite. especially in his treat
ment of European ladies. Indeed, he under
stands the rare art of making himself re-
spected by all with whom he comes in con-
tact.
Abdul Hamid gets up early. His toilet
does not detain him long; indeed, 1t might
detaiu him longer according TO European
codes. Dressed, he at once devotes himself
to recite the prescribed prayers, alter which
he drinks a CUP of black coffee, and in
stantiy afterward begins to smoke cigarettes.
pastime that he continues all day almost
without intermisSion, for he is an ardent
smoker Breakfast ended. he arrangeS
family affairs, when these require his atten-
ton, as Is almost always the case with so
large a family aud of such varied ages and
needs. This done, he quits the hareln and
goes into the selamlik. Here lie receives
the reports concerning court affairs. To-
ward 10 o'clock his court Secretary and
chief d4nitarieS appear bearing the days
dispatches aud reports.
These handed in, the Sultan seats himself
on a 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 a 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
vegetables. The meal ended he Will take a
walk in the park or row in little boat
up II one Of the lake 1t incloses, always ac-
compaued by a chamberlain or some high
digntlry. After taking two hours exercise
in the air he returns 10 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 a walk. Hi dinner is as
simple as his lunch. His fayOrite food is
pllaf, sweets, ana very little meat He
never touches spirituous liquors, in due
obedience to the commands of the prophet,
but he drinks large quantities of sherbet
and eats a great DIAL of ice cream.
Dinner over he receives company in
the selamik, or he will retire into the
harem, where his daughters play and sing
to him. He himself on these occasions will
often seat himself at the piano, an instru-
ment be plays fairly well. For painting,
for fine arts in general, he has no taste.
His women, too. find him very cold, but he
is devoted 10 his children and also much at
tached TO all the mem bers vi his family
n. Y. Press.