The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-11-13

walk from Robert college, the ia
nous American seat Of learning on
the shores of the Bosphorus, one
can pass the windows of Turkish
schoolhouse, within which may be
heard the monotonous chant of ma
tive students reciting the Koran as
they sway their bodies TO and fro
ia accompaniment, just IS has been
done in every section Of the Mos
lem world fpr well night 1900
years. The contrasts arc as un-
ceasing as they are diversified.
The town is divided in quarters,
In which members Of the various
ereeds segregate in communities
South of the Golden Horn lies
Stamboul, the Mohammedan center.
IL occupies the site Of ancient By
zantium. remnants of the walls Of
which can still be seen within the
groups of confusedly dispersed
buildings. The section is not only
the heart of the Turkish empire,
but also Of the Mohammedan
world.
Here, on the site Of the abode
of Byzantine emperors. sultan af-
ter sultan has erected palaces and
mosques In profusiou and appar-
emily inexhaustible lavishness. To,
day the ancient home Of these rul-
ers has been transformed into
museum, within which some of
the most exquisite expressions Of
the genius Of Greek paganism and
Mohammedanism are to be found.
South Of this museum lies the
world renowned sublime porte. the
seat of the Turkish government.
This is an assemblage of buildings
devoted to various administrative
purposes, each department being
provided with one or more palaces.
The whole is inclosed within low
wall surmounted by a railing. A
number OF gates lead to its inte.
rioy,
The one facing the palace Of the
sultan is an elaborate product of
Turkish art. 1t was used by the
sovereigns whenever they came to
attend council of their ministers.
It's name of "Bab- Ali,' or the
"Sublime Gate has eventually
been applied to the whole group Of
buildings, the French version be-
ing now universally employed
West Of this historic spot the
famous dome of st. Sophia can be
distinguished by the two minarets
which flank it, as we'll as by its
supporting buttresses. This is CON
sldered by some the most famous
monument Of Christianity, and in
deed its associations with the long,
protractcd struggle between the
cross and the crescent contribute
10 place it in An exceptional light
in the eyes of historians,
There is nothing in the outside
Of the church that might convey
hint Of the beauty Of its iute,
rior. It's appearance az viewed
from the spacious avenue leading
10 it is clumsy and devoid of at.
traction. The building was found
to be so frail after its construc~
tion in 532 A. D. that it had to be
strengthened by buttresses on Ell
ther side. The earthquakes which
frequently occur in Constaptinople
have weakened its walls no less
than the incompetence and negli-
gcncc of its present masters.
But the traveller is amply re-
warded for the annoyances of his
journey by the sight which meets
his eyes as he is usbered by a
slouchy Mobammedan attendant
within the heavy bronze doors. The
interior is one of exquisite beauty
wherever the eye happens TO turn.
The walls are covered with price
less oriental rugs, gathered from
every corner of the eastern world.
On holidays the mosque is
tbronged with worshipers and the
curious spectacle Of priest hold.
ing drawn scimitar in his right
hand as he ascends the pulpit to
preach is to be seen, This perform
snce dates from the time Of the
capture Of Constantinople by Sui
tan Mohammed the Couqueror. who
had hardly set foot in the capital
before he headed straight for this
sanctuary and. calling his own
chaplain, bade him proclaim the
prophet g formula that God is God
and Mohammed his prophet, with
n drawn sword in token of the
fact that the church was held by
right Of arms.
This ceremony thoroughly re-
veals the spirit that has ever per
vaded Islam. This spirit has re-
ceived in the last few days the
most crushing blow ever inflicted
on it in Europe merely because of
the superior efficiency OF Bulgarian
artillerymeu.