The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-05-19
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.

The stirring events which occurred
Just previous to my entry into Con-
stantinople were eclipsed by the mo-
mentous changes in the Turkish Gov
ernment which took place in the sum-
mer and autumn of 1923. Sultan Mus
tapha having by the abSurdity Of his
acts convinced everybody Of his insan-
ity. he was again deposed, and young
boy. scarce twelve years old, set in his
place as Amurath ". saw the youth.
full Amurath for the first time on the
day his high dignity was conferred
upon him, and thought he was an ex-
ceptionally handsome boy. Certainly
1 perceived nothing in lis clear-cut
features, his aQuiline nose. his full,
luStrous, dark eyes, which denoted in
any degree the fierce. bloody and re-
morseless tyrant he afterward be-
came. Being too young to rule. though
not to reign. all power reposed in
Mahpeiker, mother of the Sultan.
Mahpeiker was a clever woman, sim
cerely desirous. believe, Of the hap
piness of her son, and Of the stability
aud prosperity Of the State. and to Sc
cure these objects she scrupled not to
seek the advice of Sir Thomas Roe
conduct which gave mortal ofense to
the Grand Vizier and other high Off
GERS of State, and tended not to the
security of the Englishman thus hon.
ored. The difficulties with which the
Sultana-mother had to contend were
numerous and great. for the lunatic
Mustapta and host of parasitical
pashas who surrounded him had de-
pleted the treasury and suffered the
defences of the country to fall into de-
cay.
Sir Thomas Roe having recommend
ed me for various public employments
his recommendations were adopted. l
undertook the tasks, and acquitted my
self with so much satisfaction to the
court that other commissions were
given to me without any suggestion
by my friend. my success being due
not to any exceptional ability in me,
but simply to honesty-a quality rare
ly found in Turkish official, nor e1-
pected in more than a minor degree.
Early in 1925 the health Of Sir
Thomas Roe was such that it deter
mined him to return home, and ar
rangements were made for Sir Thomas
Philips to represent England at the
Porte. In three years l had grown
accustomed to life in Turkey, which
wesI mot at all distasteful to me. Dur
ing the minority Of Amurath Nv. my
services were frequently requisitioned
by Mahpeiker and her advisers in
drafting dispatches to foreign nations,
my services being rewarded with mag
pificent presents. l visited the Serag-
lilo when would. and on two occasions
was examined by the assembled Ule
ma as to the respective military
strength Of the nations Of Europe.
The ten chests Of Venetian sequins re-
manned unbroached. and My English
money was not decreased by one pen.
ny. had purchased numerous slaves.
yet Notwithstanding all my expense
waXe6 richer and richer. and my per-
ScnaI influence increased daily. Such
being my condition in 1925, it will be
small wonder that l was diSinclined
TO return to England with Sir Thomas
Roe, more especially as at that very
time the Grand Vizler. in the name Of
Mahpeiker and the Ulema, offered me
the distinguished position of Govern
'or of the Vilayct of Trebizond-which,
as all men know. is an important prov
ince and port on the Black Sea coast
stipuiating only that should embrace
rthe Mussulman faith. l was but
twenty-five years old. and the prospect
of being king in everything but name
of large and beautiful province was
too fattering to resist, and l accepted
the position with its accompanying
condition, much to the disgust of Sir
Thomas Roe, whose friendship for me
declined from that hour. A few days
later my noble friend sailed for Eng
land. and the last words heard him
speak Informed me that he had hoped
FOR better things of me than had ap-
1eared. At this distance of time it is
easy to perceive in whom lay the fault
which wrought this estrangement. and
this incident is one of many which
make retrospect Of my life very mel
apcholy to me.
az delivering 20 me the warrant for
my Office the Grand Vizier. crafty
old Turk, with long white beard and
n magnificent but deceptive eye, compli-
mcnted me on my honesty and truth
fTlness. TO which qualities. he said.
I owed my appointment. inasmuch as
the Sultana-mother had been very IA
vorably impressed herewith though,
for his part. he thought these were
virtues which might be carried too
far. Honesty. he further observed.
was in itself commendable thing.
and sometimes worked well las in my
own case, where il had gained for me