The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-08-26

Vienna, June 8. 1867 was unable
TO crowd into the last article all of
our experiences in the land of the
Turk. so 1 devoted it to Constantinople.
leaving to this paper the discussion of
the sultan. his religion and his gov
eminent.
Abdul Hamud Kahn II is the present
sultan OF Turkey. He is So years old.
and has occupied the throne nearly
thirty years. His family has been SUI
preme in Constantinople for twenty
four generations-ever since the taking
of the city by the Mohammedans. He
Is not only an absolute monarch
throughout the domain OF Turkey, hut
he is the spiritual head of the Moslem
church. His power is really due more
to his religious position than to his
sovereignty. He is credited with doing
more for the spread of education than
his predecessors, but he can hardly be
called an enthusiastic patron OF learn
ing. He endeavors to maintain cordial
relations with European powers, and is
on especially good terms with Emperor
William. When he wants to show him
self friendly to a nation he appoints
some representative of that nation to
place in the army, navy, or other de-
partment of the public service at a
high salary. and he gives decorations
TO such foreigners as he desires to
honor.
Every Friday about midday he goes
TO a mosque near the palace to pray,
and the occasion ig one Of great inter
est 10 those who are fortunate enough
10 obtain admission to the grounds. as
his journey from the palace to the
church is a brilliant pageant. Tickets
of admission must be secured through
the diplomatic representatives, and we
are under obligation to the American
legation for an opportunity to be pres
ent. AS early as IL o'clock bands, COM
panies OF infantry. troops Of cavalry
and bodies OF police could be seen
marching toward the mosque. From
the right, over a hill, came the cavalry
mounted on white horses and carrying
pennants OF scarlet upon their spears
from another direction marched the
custodians OF the sacred banner, a flag
OF black silk with texts from the 10
ran embroidered upon 1t in silver; then
others and still others came. Before
time for the sultan 70 appear several
thousand soldiers had assembled and
been assigned to their respective sta
tIOns by officers in attractive uniforms
Drawn up several lines. deep they
guarded every entrance to the sacred
precincts.
1t was a gorgeous spectacle. for the
Turk is q fine looking soldier (this may
account for the tenderness with which
the sultan is handled by the "powers'')
and there was sufficient variety in the
uniforms to lend Heterogeneous &c
the scene. The invited guests occupied
a large front room and an adjoining
garden from which they had clear
view Of the broad street, freshly sprin-
killed. with sand, and OF the mosque
about a block away. When all things
were I'm readiness the castle gates
swung open and the ladies Of the court
closely yelled and accompanied by the
children, proceeded to the mosque in
closed carriages drawn by beautiful
Arabian horses. AS usual In Oriental
countries. the members Of the house
hold were attended by black eunuchs.
At the appointed hour a black-robed
figure appeared upon the minaret, and
an echo-like call to prayer fioated
down TO the street This was the sig
nal for which the spectators had wait
ed. and all eyes turned at once to the
palace gate. through which I'm double
line marched the high officials, pre-
ceded by a band and followed by the
sultan's body guard and the sultan
himself in a carriage with his minister
of war. The officers saluted, the sol
diers cheered, the visitors raised their
hats and the sultan DOWtu anO STnlleQ
Hamud II is mild in appearance, and
his black beard is but slightly streaked
with gray He does not look strong
and his figure seemed diminutive when
contrasted with that of his minister OF
war His imperial majesty. as he is
STYLED. remained IN the mosque for
nearly half an hour. When he at last
came out he entered phaeton with his
eldest son. and, taking the lines himself
drove back to the palace behind one OF
the handsomest teams in Europe The
horses are very dark. almost black
cappled chestnut sorrcl, with silver
rnane and tail. They are perfectly
rrstched. weigh 1900 or l,4o0 pounds
and their shining coats give evidence
OF constant care.
we obtained permission 70 visit the
s,.ltan's stables. and saw few, not all,
~ his more than a thousand horses
rhe finest. Of course. are the Arabian
stations. Of which he has quite num-