Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-31
sULTAN's UNHAPPY LIFE.

| In the faTlH frhUChls III. Ou' CaBho
giyes an account OF the inrer life OF
Abdul Hamid, which forces one TO the
conclusion that the Sultan's life is by
no means a led ofrof 7s.
He is afraid to trust the care OF bis
health 10 any doctor, aud has, there
fore, studied medicine. The drugs he
uses are prepared for him in his own
presence by his chemist, Bekir Eflendi,
and tasted by the chemist first. They
can, however, do nothing TO sssuage
the disease which has followed the
cheeks and emsciated the bo1y of the
Sultan, for this disease is one over
which no drugs can gain the mastery
abject fear.
Month by month the Sultan reduces
the extent of his morning s'roll, Oh
which be is always guarded by three
men at least, although it takes place
in the gardens OF his palace, palace
| guarded by legions Of police and q
! whole army crops, and fortified against
| artillery.
His restless eye peers into every bush
and thicket ss ne psFses, and MS hand
ia never out of the pocket in which he
carries loaded revolver. If anybody
appears too suddenly ia front Of him be
fires, and Abdul HsUjd never misses.
Ooe day he killed an old gardener who
had not seen the Sulla1 until he was
quite close to him, and who stood up
to salute him as be passed.
Another day he killed twelve year
old slave, who was playing with wea"
pom which Abdul bimeelf had forgotten
TO take In from the gsrdtu the dsy be-
fore.
After his NOR ~ walk, which he
takes at 5 9. IL the Sultan dyes bis
beard with LeDna and dresses for the
day. II s dress is very simple, and Is
DE- * 10 color. It's Only popularity is
,ho lumber OF pocke s, OF which he hes
at least thirty in every robe he wears,
These are of various shapes and are
made to contain revolvers, knives AID
dsggers OF all kinds. and also for the
purpose of pocketiDg various secret
papers which he fears to entrust to his
secretaries.
When he Is dressed Abdul has his
coffee prepared and bis cigarettes made
for bin. He watches their manuiac-
ture closely for fear of poison. AT 10
he lunches on eggs, milk, and varied
assortment of cold dishes.
These are served to him upon tray,
which is wrapped In q large cloth and
scale with special seal by the super-
intendeDt of the kitchens. The Sultan
breaks the seal himself, and before eat
ing has each dish tried by one of the
attendants, or tasted by the dogs and
cats which gather round bin when be
takes his meals. His favorite dishes
| are pilaff, and sleeps trotters with 9
pepery sauce.
He works hard for several hours each
day, but!troubles himself little with af-
fairs Of State. His chief preoccupation
is the investment OF his fortune, which
consists of about el 100000 in lands,
and $4,000 900 invested abroad. In
spite OF his enormous wealth, the Sui
tan pays his debts as rarely ss he can,
and fights over every penny OF bill.
He amuses himself with carpenter
ing, clock making and ceramics, and is
an expert in wood carving. The panels
of one room 10 the Kisgtome Kiosk are
entirely his own work.
At 6 O'Clock be dimes with the same
| precautions as are taken at his lunch
con. and soon aiterwsrd he retires to
rest, though rarely to sleep. He rests
upon sofa, never on he'd, and mu-
latto servant, Hsssan Agbs, sleeps be-
fore his door.
The Sultan is desperately afraid Of
darkness and of silenc'. Throughout
the night special readers read to him,
whether he wakes or dozes, and the
palace is kept brilliantly lighted Gil
night long. His favorlte books are
books of horrors, and tales OF murder
("Montepin" and "Pouson du Terrail')
end he fears his owa sons and brothers
with deadly fear.