The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-08-28

Vienna, June 5, 1906.--I was unable
tn crowd into the last article of ou:,
Experiences in the land Of the Turk, SO
J devoted it to ConStantinOple leaving
10 this paper the discussion of the
sultan, his religion and his govern
ma. nt.
Abdul Hamud Kahn II. is the pres
emf sultan OF Turkey. He is 63 years
old, ana has occupied the throne for
nearly 30 years. His family has been
supreme in Constantinople for p
srneratiOnS-eVel since the taking of
lh" city by the MOhammedans. He is
NOT only an absolute monarch
throughout the domain of Turkey, but
h- is lhc spiritual head of the Moslem
church. His power is really due more
'o his religious position than to his
sovereignty. He is credited with doing
mon" for the spread of education than
his predecessors. but he can hardly be
called an enthusiastic patron of learn
N.Y. He endeaVOrS to maintain cor
dill relations with European powers.
and is on especially good terms with
Emperor William. When he wants 20
shnW himself friendly to Il nation he
appoints some representative OF tnat
'atjom to q place in the army, navy
or other department of the public ser
'5er at a high salary. and he gives
decorations to such foreigners rs he
desires to honor.
Every Friday about midday he goes
Z" mosque near the palace to pray,
@hd the occasion is one of great inter-
rst to those who are fortunate enough
III obtain admission to the grounds, rs
has Journey from the palace to th'9
church is Il brilliant pageant. IlckeiS
III admission must be secured through
II" diplomatic. representatives and We
or" under obligations to the American
cation for an opportunity to be pres
ear. As early as IL O'Clock bands
companies Of infantry, troops of caVal-
EE and bodies of police could be seen
...IchIng tWard the mosque. fIo"l
'A" right over a hill, came the cavalry
mounted on white horses ard carrying
.fhhdntS of scarlet upon thelr spears
+'u another direction marched lne
.'~todians of the sacred banner, 4
.st- Of black silk with sacred texts
from the Koran embroidered upon II
'i silver; then others and still othefS
came. Before time for the sultan lG
appear several thousand soldiers had
assembled and been assigned to tnep
respective stations by officers IN at
,."ruVe uniforms. Drawn up seVefll
.."'S dep they guarded every entrance
'' JHe sacred precincts.
1T was q gorgeous spectacle. for the
'0tk is a fine looking soldier tth's
may account for the tenderness Win
.Hl@h the sultan is handled by the
|'"ef& }, and there was Sufflcleil'
'toN in the uniforms to lend PIE
''i' SqueneSs to the scene. The invited
guests occupied a large front room
ad an adjoining garden, from Whlcn
.i'F had a clear view Of the broao
1".rl freshly sprinkled With sand
.4 Of the mosque about block away
"Lea all things were in readiness the
7''e gates swung open and the ID
''7 of The court closely veiled, ane
''npanied by the children, pfocee''-
~ '' the mosque in closed carriage
""n by beautiful Arab horses. -
E"ai III oriental countries, the mem
OF the household We're attenoeo
b. "Iack euauchs. .a
At the appointed hour a black
figure appeared upon the MN,
a' and an echO-like call to pfdye'
.'#jed down to tIe e+raet This wa:
t EI@nal for which the spectators
''0 waited and all eyes turned i