The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-18

I am attempting to describe takes place.
and at 1870 O'Clock last Thursday night
our party was at its entrance The big
gates on this occasion were Of course.
wide open, and through the opening pour
ed neverending throng of Enthusiastically
garbed humanity. Our party made quite
an imposing procession as we entered the
brilliantly Illuminated square. The gor-
geouSly uniformed "caVasses' of the Amer
lean legation and consulate general. and
the military attendant of his excellency
Woods Pacha headed the line-the crowd
was so dense that we had to go in single
tle-and then followed Minister Terrell.
Consul General Short, Woods Pacha, the
ladies' Of our party, numbering four and,
bringing up the rear, your humble servant.
with Count dOyley, PARKWAY Moses Of
'Innoeents Abroad fame. who was with
us as a guide, friend and philosopher, and
two or three guests OF the Pera Palace no.
tel, who had asked permission to accom-
pany the expedition.
The scene as we entered the square was
most homogeneous one, for, in strong
contrast to the innumerable lights and
fiercely blazing torches, ali of the shop
fronts were heavily draped in
deepest mourning We threaded
our way through the ever
increasing throng, and finally reached the
space which had been reserved for our
party by the friendly Moses. There we
found comfortable chairs, and seating
ourselves, were ready to witness the GER
emory.
Soon the sound of cheering accompa-
MED by the beating of drums and the play
ing of fifes, was heard, and presently from
around one corner of the mosque in the
center of the square appeared the head
Of the procession. First came a dozen
men bearing great torches, and immedi-
ately following dozen or more dressed
from head TO foot in robes of funeral
black. These last were giving utterance
20 the most pitiful cries, wrlnging their
hands and sobbing as II their hearts were
breaking. ! could distinguish the oft-re-
peated words "Hassein and Hussein,"
and Moses told me that they were telling
the story Of the tragic death Of these two
sons Of Ali. While watching the group
l heard the sounds OF sobbng at my side,
and, turning. saw a man In the Persian
costume sobbing bitterly. He was not
alone In his grief 90, for every Per-
sian in sight was similarly occupied, and
! rightly came to the conclusion that such
procedure was a part of the ceremony.
Following on the heels of the mourners
came a dozen priests. all in black, ana
behind them a half-dozen men bearing a
queer-looking object. somewhat resem-
bling In shape bath chair, but almost
hidden with black cloth and Grape. Then
followed "A beautiful white horse almost
hidden from view with exquisitely en-
broldered shawls and scarfs. Astride OF
the animal sat a small hoy dressed In
flowing robes Of spotless white, the crown
OF his head shaver, and carrying In his
little hands a 1erce-lool1ing sword, the
use OF which / was to learn later on. IN
front Of the youngster perched upon the
proudly curved neck Of the horse were a
number Of snow-white pigeons.
Then followed more torch-bearers ana
a body OF about 200 men, each with tho
left breast barred. Then another body OF
men with barred backs. each carrying IN
his right hand an instrument OF self-tor-
ture, which Moses says was known as the
"chain scourge." These "scourges" were
made IN the shape OF "A cato -nine-tails,"
the tails" however being made OF close.
~ linked chains instead OF the stout
leather which usually characterizes this
ancient instrument OF punishment for in
subordinate sailors. Then came more
torches and a double line OF about 2N
men, each with the top OF his head closely
shaver. They were dressed ia flowing
robes OF white and carried swords OF every
conceivable description. These men walked
sideways. the lines facing each other
Lastly came n body OF about "A hundred
school children, all neatly uniformed Ia a
suit Of blue cloth. They were led By q