The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-02-03
The SuItan's Banquet
BY Arthur H. Dutton in Overland Monthly.


sonal table. Everything was delight
fully cooked and the wines were admir-
able, some being of great age,
learned
During the meal, I was surprised as
well as pleased to see what fine fellows
some of the Turkish officers were.
Every one at the table spoke English
1uentiy, and the party was a jolly one.
There was nothing stiff or unduly form
al about it, in spite of it's formal char
acter. During it's progress, the Tur-
kish marine band alternated with our
ships band in furnishing music, and
the delight of our sailors, who were in
a large room adjoining ours, when the
Turkish band played the old Southern
plantation melodies, was so sincere
and spontaneous that they burst into
sailors was fine one, also, and with
Turkish sailor or marine between
each pair Of Americans, the mems
room was the scene of genuine enjoy
ment To the credit of our men, be it
said that. In spite of the novel ex-
perience and of the ample supply OF
wine furnished them, not one fnispe-
haved himself in any way. Towards
the end Of the meal, Minister Cox made
a brief address to the men, and in
troduced the Minister of Marine, whose
well-chosen words evoked a ringing
cheer from the men, a loud American
three mes-three-and-a-tiger. This
American cheer was a novelty TO the
Turks. They had never heard it be-
fore.
Our way back to the ship was a
triumphal procession. 1t was lorg
after dark-probably about II p. M,
when we were escorted down to our
boats, through the long lines of marines
at present arms" with the band
playing Justify and our Mohammedan
hosts shaking hands cordially with us.
We showed off with cheer from our
men, which the Turks tried to initiate.
The Golden Horn was brilliantly
lighted, and as we reached the SIAM
boul bridge it was Illuminated from
shore to shore with a long row of huge
calcium lights-red, white and blue
the whole forming grand spectacle.
On the way back our men in the
boats towed astern awakened the
echoes with their choruses. which varied
all the way from Hail Columbia 10
old-fashioned "chanty" songs.
AS we neared the Kearsarge, we were
surprised to hear sounds of merriment
coming from her likewise. That the
members of the crew left behind
should be out of their hammocks and |
awake at that hour of the night WAS
decidedly strange, but as we drew up
alongside, we learned the reason.
The hospitable Sultan, hearing that
every officer and man or the crew |
could not, for reasons of discipline and
the safety of the ship, partake of his |
bounty at the palace Of the Minister |
of Marine, gave directions that the
identical meal, as far as it's food and |
drink were concerned, which had been
served at the palace, should be sent
out on board the Kearsarge. and |
served there to those who were compel
led to remain. The astonished officers
and men could hardly believe their eyes
and nostrils when the savory viands
came alongside, but when convinced it
was no dream fell to with a will. some
stringed instruments from caiqaes
floating about the ship furnishing he
music for the repast
1t was as if the Sultan wished every
American in his domain to have night
of it, and it was well along in the mid
watch before the ship had settled down
to her normal quiet The next morning
there was a lively cleaning up to lie
done, for the dinner on board had been
served to the men on the open deck,
beneath the bright stars, on that warm
June evening.
During our visit to Constantinople.
which lasted for about six weeks, the
Sultan did everything in his power to
add to our enjoyment. We practically
had the freedom of the city. Special
staff officers of the Sultan were In
attendance upon our Admiral nearly
every day, and parties of our officers
were taken around to the palaces, the
seraglio and other places of interest,
being borne around the waters OF the
Bosphorus or the Golden Horn in
luxurious caiques, pulled by stalWart,
befezzed oarsmen, and entertained from
place to place with refreshments of all
kinds, including the delicious rose
leaf jam which none but Turk can
concoct at it's best.
AS said before, our men were never
forgotten. Their pleasure was consult
ed nearly as much as that of the OIL
GERS. This is a fact to be carefully noted,
for it is the exception when the en-
listed men are considered in interna-
tional entertainments. except between
the British and American nations
and not always between them.
The Kearsarge was commanded at
the time described by Commander, now
Rear-Admiral, C. D. Sigsbee, who later
the Inflated Maine, when
she was blown up in Havana Harbor.
The fiag-lieutenant was Sidney II.
Staunton, who was SIMPSONS flag
lieutenant during the Spanish war
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