The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-28
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
The Private Life Of the sultan.

The title of this book is borne out by its
contents, for it describes the inner life and
personal character of ruler who, if the
story is true. Is in every sense Of the word
human monster and most despicable
character few words regarding the au-
thor of the book. NJ. Georges Dorys. will
snow that he has had exceptional advan-
tages in gathering the material for his
work. His father. the late Prince of Samos.
was one of the Sultan's ministers, and at
one time Governor OF Crete. His son, there
fore, has mingled since his childhood with
the extraordinary political world which fer
ments around Yildiz Palace, and he has had
exceptional opportunities for obtaining pal
ace news at first hand Much Of the ma
terial used in this book was doubtless OBJ
tanned from his father, since the son could
not possibly have participated in some Of
the events described; but more recently NJ.
Dorys had additional facilities of his own
for acquiring information in his capacity
as subcorrespOndent of the London Times
When, however NJ. Dorys became an active
member of the Young Turk party-a liberal
OF revolutionary organization which de-
mands a constitution for Turkey-he at
tracted TO himself the unwelcOme attention
OF the Padishah, and was forced TO flee
from Constantnople and take refuge in
Parls, where this book was written. Since
It's puDncatOn the Sultan has tried to have
II suppressed in different countries and
mas condemned the author to death-prO-
xided, OF course, he could be caught in
turkey. The book is not SO much
complete biography Of Abdul Hamid, or
history of his reign, as il is a por-
trayaI OF his private life and character.
with singularly graphic pen the author
lifts the veil on every phase of the daily life
led by the Sultan in his gilded palace, which
Is really a strong fortress, built with
special view TO protecting him against
attack. lie shows the Sultan living in con-
slant fear OF poison, and having cats and
dogs, and even his staff, taste his food be-
lore he partakes of ii. He pictures him
ing the approaches to his palace lighted all
night IN consequence; as terrified by the
stiffness of night and ordering armed
guards 10 tramp ceaSelcSSly uP and down
outside mis- bedroom window; in constant
apprehension of attack and ever ready to
draw one OF the three revOlVers with which
he Is always armed on the most inOHensive
persons; loving cheap literature and glOat-
ing over stories of blood and violence: sus-
pecting all around him, and exiting or put
ing 10 uedtn every one against whom he
has real or imaginary grievance; and as,
in Turkey, there is no appeal beyond
Caesar, his victims are rarely heard of
again, once they fall into his power. His
early lntrlgueS to gain the throne, his
Vaccinations against his brother and other
relatives, are related with a circumstantial-
lIy tnat SHOWS entire familiarity with the
subject. The chapter on the imperial harem
furnishes a complete and graphic account
OF the daily life led by the three hundred
women and girls confined there. The book
Is terrible portrayal not only of the char
acter and life of the Sultan, but of the
social conditions that exist under his rule.
Whether the picture is true to life or over
drawn and highly colored one cannot tell,
but, making every allowance for prejudice
and eXaggeration, it is interesting and in
structlve. a frOntispece portrait of the
Sultan inclines one to believe everything
| bad concerning him, including the last par
| agraph in the book, which is as follows:
strates that this egoist-of a ferocious
| egOism-haS no more been able to inspire
affection than 10 feel ii for others. In his
/ spired only fear and terror and he will
/ remain, for his family as for his people.
! the tyrant which he is in the eyes of all
/ book is translated into good English by
! Arthur Hornblow and published by ID. APP
| pleton & Co, New York