Semi-weekly herald., 1909-05-10
THE TURK.
characteristics of the PePople Who
Deposed Abdul Hamid II and Put
His Brother on the Throne-as Seen
by Byzantine Greek.
(By Nicholas c. Adossides in Golfers
Weekly)

(By Nicholas c. Adossides in Golfers
Weekly)
The Turk is fatalist. Each ma
tion has its term" says the Koran
With mind schooled in resignation,
he endures without murmur the
greatest privations, while in good for
tune he is neither arrogant nor un-
duly elated. Proud of his race and
content with his religion, he venerates
the memory of his ancestors and lies
becalmed at the wharfs of custom
while other nations leave their ancient
moorings for the unknown sea.
Endowed with a remarkable ply
sique of strong constitution, the
Turk is temperate, hospitable, and
generous. In many places in Asia
Minor. bargains and sales are made
without accounts, contracts, or re-
ceipts. This could not be so II avarice
were prevalent. And, as the Turk
has been taught that wealth Is only
passing, 1t is not often that he will
commit a crime for money.
TURKS. however, are of two kinds
the government official and the man
OF the people-and of these the one
Is the very antithesis of the other.
Just as the former is false. cruel,
seryile, arrogant, and unjust, so is
the latter simple. honorable and hos.
pitable. Hospitality. indeed, is the
Turks great virtue. Should you travel
among The true Turks in Asia Minor
you will find. instead of inns and
hotels, a warm welcome in every
house. The chief men of the village
will dispute with each other for the
honor of being your host, and he who
has won that privilege is envied by
his neighbors. If not rich enough to
afford 'mousafir odassi," or guest
chamber. he will place his own room
at your disposal; but wherever you
may lodge you win always find in
large Turkish letters this traditional
inscription; Here is received the
Stranger In the name of God! the
Compassionate! the Mercifull"
Nor are lntroductions necessary.
Whatever your creed or condition.
your rank or your country, whether
Christian or Moslem. wealthy or poor.
you will be lodged and entertained as
long as you choose to remain. While
guest you are not only not allowed
to expend a penny. but are not even
permitted to offer Tip" to the serv-
ants, for this would be considered a
great insult to your host Nor must
it be supposed that this is true only
OF the rich or the well.to-do; IL is
characteristic also of the poorest peas
ants. They do not wait simply to
receive you: they will go out to find
you. In many villages a guest cham.
Der is kept at the public expense.
An ordinary Turkish interior is the
mirror OF the national character.
Though the harem is usually more
'etNh.i ipoot thc
apartment for the men, is simple to
baroness. OF carpets, curtains, chairs.
tables, pictures. books. and bookcases
not sign. You will see instead only
a whitewashed wall. mat on the
floor, one or two divans, and a frame
holding a verse of the Koran. letters
OF gold on a ground of blue or YER
million; for the Turk, having nat.
ural dislike of furniture. loves TO see
room empty and bare. All he wish.
es is air and light. Hence you will
observe many windows. and these,
moreover. are usually without blinds.
In the mansions of the great, as
In those Of the pashas, 1t is other.
wiae' Here one can ind luxury In