The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-06
THE SULTAN.
How He Trafiics in Souls as if THY
We're Merchandise.
AN ANONYMOUS AUTHORS TALES
OF THE TURKISH RULER.

Els Adroit FIattery and tho Part 1t Plays
In European Politics-A Dreamer and
Worker-Presents and Brides for
Everybody.
Somebody who conceals his identify,
put claims to have had special sources Oh
Information at Constantinople, gives III
Ghe Revue des Revues q curious picture
OF the Sultan, his aspirations, and the
means by which he is able to play the
european powers against one another,
while he works his will. The writer
refers to the story that Abdul Hamid Is
really the son of an Armenian clock
maker in the Bazaar at Constantinople,
and cites in proof of it his features,
which are those of an Armenian artisan
In the Bazaar, his fondness for making
CLOCKS, and his hatred of Armenians. be
considers the matter important as having
Influenced the Sultan's bent of mind.
Before he became Sultan he lived the life
of misanthrope and was passionately
fond of music, of the lives of the great
oal1phs, and OF the novels of Eugene Sue,
Ponson du Terrall, and Gaboriau, the last
of whom remains his favorite author.
The net results of all these influences was
dreamer living in world more or less
unreal. and aiming to carry, out great
projects. He will show extraordinary
and detailed industry for period, and
will then have fit of prostration that
may last two or three days, during which
he is silent, moody and irritable.
To carry out his plans he believes first
of all in gold. II buy souls like mer-
chandise, he is fond of saying. Not
withstanding the financial troubles of
Turkey. the Sultan's purse is always
overfowing. He takes what he wants of
the state revenues Then he has at his
disposal the imperial treasure, which con-
tains the jewels gathered by line of Sui
tans who have ransacked the East for its
wonders. 1t was from this treasure that
Abdul Hamid took the necklace which he
bestowed upon the German Empress at
the same time that William III. carried
away from Constantinople thirty trunks
I'LL ID with presents valued at 5000, 900
francs.
In the third place he has gathered by
means known to despots private fortune
which is said to make him the richest
sovereign in Europe next to the Gar.
The Management of this fortune receives
his closest attention. He has been savin g
money since his youth. His brother
Murad spent money lavishly. The two
brothers detested one another. Murad
had Molieres "Hapagon'' translated
and presented under the title of ."Hamid
the Miser." One of Abdul Hamid's first
acts, after coming to the throne, was to
order the destruction of the theatre,
Stamboul's only play. house, where the
piece was played.
But A bdul Hamid shows skill in his
buying of souls; the thing is done with
cunning that conceals the brutality of
the transaction. He Is above all things
theatrical in such matters. The visitor is
amazed at the luxury he sees about him.
He passes through beautiful gardens and
pavilions, through lines of fierce looking
Albanians, and in hall dazzling with
gold, appears suddenly amid all this
splendor, man of slight figure, dressed
all in black, with pale face. a beard
dyed brown, and eyes that tell nothing.
The contrast never fails to make deep
impression. Pierre Lott almost tainted
when Abdul Hamid passed the ribbon of
an order about his neck, and the sensa-
tions of most OF. those privileged to have
tense. Furthermore, the Sultan studies
his visitors and prepares for them. Be-
fore receiving William III he had the life
of Frederick the Great read to him. He
showers golden snuff boxes set with dia-
monds, even purses of gold, and other
costly gifts, upon. those whose good will
he would gain, and he does it In such a
way that the impression made by the gift
seems less vivid than that of the senti-
ments he expressed with eloquenoe and
knowledge. His tact is perfect. The
wife Of O foreign ambassador gives this
| account of a visit to the harem:
1.-THE Sultan received us and made apol-
ogies because his wife was indisposed
| and could not see us. He presented to US
his two daughters, caressing their beauti-
full hair as he did so. He spoke to us of
| our families and of his own, and said
that his principal cars was the education
of his children. A curtain was drawn
aside, and seventeen young Circassian
girls of great beauty played upon stringed
instruments.
90 Il had them learn the sMarseillaise'
in your honor, he said, with smile, and
all the. time he did not cease referring
to his sick wife with touching sweetness
and sadness The next morning mag
nificent spaniel was sent to us. My SIS
ter then remembered that among thous-
and trifes she had mentioned that she
was fond of dogs"
| His delicate attentions are not reserved
to strangers; he is also prodigal Of them
to his favorites. One of them lost wife;
| tho Sultan cent him band of musicians