The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-04-01
THE SULTAN AT HOME.
TURKEYS RULER DIFFERS WIDELY
FROM THE CURRENT CONCEPTION.

FROM THE CURRENT CONCEPTION.
His Dress and Habits-The Domestic At
fections Are Very Strong-He Enjoys
Joke-Conveys an Impression OF
Picturesque Dignity.
Sidney Whitman, F. r. G. S., has
written for Harper's Monthly an 1ntl-
mate view of Turkish life in the high
circles of Constantinople, exposing
Misrepresentation and false concep-
tions current in Christian countries.
Mr.. Whitman says:
I have often seen it stated in print
that the Sultan of Turkey wears
habitual expression of melancholy
in other words, that his main charac-
teristics are sadness and nervousness.
Neither my own experience, nor
the testimony of others best in po-
s;tion to form a reliable opinion, bear |
this out, although the tragic circum-
stances under which he came to the
throne, very much against his will,
may we'll have left their impress on
his memory. The Sultan's is an ex-
ceedingly sensitive nature. He is
man in whom the domestic affections
are very strong. Thus blow, such
as the recent loss of daughter, might
we'll have had q cruel effect on him
as only those can understand who
have loved and lost children of their
own. But do not believe that the
Sultan's temperament is one of habit
ual melancholy. On the contrary,
know that his Majesty enjoys joke
and laugh as heartily as ever did
Martin Luther, even though it must
be admitted that the nature OF some
of the doughty Reformer's jokes would
scarcely suit the refined taste of the
| Caliph of the Mohammedans.
No, I repeat, the tale of the Sultan's
habitual melancholy, as distinct from
a certain grave seriousness. is myth.
1t would, indeed, be nothing to be
wondered at if he were occasionally IN
a serious mood. There are monarchs
besides the Sultan whose humor is not
always couleur de rose. Uneasy lies
the head that wears crown" is not a
Mohammedan proverb. But the Sui
tan's now universally admitted strength
of purpose; his truly phenomenal
powers of work; his extreme abstin.
ence from every form of nervous stimu-
liant, except an occasional cigarette
and cup of coffee-all this is, the reader
will admit, totally irreconcilable with
the idea that he could possibly be OF
morbidly nervous disposition. AS to
the Sultans working habits: have
known him to be at work at five in the
: morning, and keep whole staff OF
secretaries going at that hour who had
slept overnight on touches in the
rooms in the palace they habitually
work in. Munir Pacha, the Imperial
grand master of ceremonies, and one
Of the most kindly, distinguished mer
it is possible to meet, once said to me
There is one characteristic OF hi
Majesty which conveys a constan
lesson to us ALL it is his extraordinar.
) self-control-his impressive calm. L
is almost sublime. No contrariety. NJ
trial, seems able to ruffle his perfec
self-possession. It is truly marvellous.
a The prepossessing impression which
: the Sultan is universally admitted t.
g produce on those who are privileged
to come into contact with him is doubt
e less in part due to that charm OF man
a ner, that quiet dignity SO free iron
n angular self-assertion, which Is NOR
or less characteristic of all well-bre
II Turks. But in his case it is supple
?, mented by pleasing smile, and a
l. unusually sympathetic voice, the note
70 of which always seem to convey
pleasant impression, even to tn
is stranger who is unable to understan
y what his Majesty has said until it
y translated by the interpreter. Th
ut Sultan usually gives audiences on FIR
Of day after the ceremony of the Selan
lik, when he years Turkish general
t, uniform, with the star of the Imtia
ID Order in brilliants hung from his necl
10 AS he sits in front of you. with n
I'd hands resting on the hilt of his swor
of before him, and you watch him spea
p, to Munir Pacha in his quiet, dignltie
Id way, you cannot resist the impressio
of his picturesque dignity.
tn On other occasions his dress is sin
ok plicity itself, scarcely differing fro
Tx that of his secretaries and other of
Gals. He wears black frock-coa
ed cut in Turkish fashion, which iu
n hides white waistcoat with go
ut watch-chain. The only other jewell
ed is apt to be plain gold ring on tt
I'd little finger of the right hand with
:" fair sized ruby cut or polished I
cabochon, It is customary to sit
the presence of the Sultan after bell
requested to do SO, but the natlv
VI VI born Turk will only just sit on t
~ very edge of the little gilt chair. o.
~ fold his arms across his chest, waltz
-, for the Sultan to address him, o.
70" ;, then mutter in reply, while bendl
=, low and touching chest, lips and fo1
. head with the right hand, Firm
,I,ee Effendemizen" Master, thy word
yer law.
ost Killed by Too Much Pleasure.