The Washington times., 1918-12-22

diamonds began to scintiIlate on every
side.
. "A profusion Of objects Of unknown age
and Of inestimable value were displayed
in endless variety. Here were weapons
Of every period. from that of Yenghis
Khan to that Of Mahomet; weapons OF sir
yer and weapons Of gold. loaded with
precious stones; collections Of golden cab
inets OF every size and every style. some
covered with rubies. other with diamonds
or sapphires; coffee services Of silver and
gold, aagons and eWers Of antique forms
and Of exquisite beauty. fairy-Iike tissues,
saddles and harness. saddlecloths en-
broidered with silver and gold and Dor.
dered with flowers in precious stones. /.
great chairs Of state, made to sit cross
legged on. some Of them one blaze Of :
Fnbies and pearls, giving them a roseats !
hue; others, again. covered with emeralds
and shining with green light. Ike the
ripples Of sea-water.
Our expectations. no doubt. were great.
and our curiosity intense, as we were
shown round this wondrous storehouse..
One Of the first things to which our -atten-
ton was called was magnificent ivory
throne inlaid with gold. studded with
rubies, pearls and diamonds. and the seat
cushioned with cloth OF gold.
"In the cabinets are numberiess velvet
and silk prayercarpets. embroidered IN
gold thread and precious stones, and .
marvellous collection Of arms, comprising
sabres in silver scabbards carved IN re-
lief. their blue-veined blades covered with
Arabic Inscriptions In letters Of gold, dag
gers with handles literally covered with
diamonds and rubies. spears and old match
locks, richly enamelled pistols, the stocks
Of which are covered with clusters Of
pearls. coral and other beautiful gems
Here, in goldenamelled bowls. are
quantities of loose turquoises. coral. agate.
Comedian topazes and strings Of perfect
permitted to admire agate, crystal and
jade vases. mounted in gold and enamel;
saddles and horse furniture Of gold. inlaid
with precious stones But among the most
curious objects was a large dressingtable,
made Of tortoise shell, encrusted with dia-
monds and rubies, the pillars supporting
the mirror and frame Of which were q
mass Of diamonds and rubies, all Of large
size; even the fringe round the edge Of
the table top, three or four inches in
depth, was made Of hanging strings Of
those precious stones
Perhaps one of the most interesting
vaults to which our attention was called
was that in which were displayed effigies
Of twenty-five Sultans, dressed in their
original gala costumes. Very gorgeous
they looked In their richly embroidered
robes Of silk and cloths Of gold and cash
mere; loose trousers Of beautifully en-
broidered Broussa gauze or silk; rich
sashes incrusted with precious stones,
from which hung priceless scimitars with
golden scabbards, the hilts literally COW
cred in diamonds; pistols and daggers of
the richest description and workmanship;
the traditional slippers Of yellow morocco;
and their headdresses most marvellous
works OF art and design, and turbans Of
the richest materials. with jewelled
aigrettes.
Until the beginning of the nineteenth
century whenever Sultan died an effigy,
as large as life and dressed in the mon
arch's robes OF state, would be brought
ons In its sash, and on its head a grand
turban, with a magnificent aigrette Of
jewels. Here 1t would be deposited, Gov
cred with all this wealth. which was lost
for any other purpose. Slowly this solemn,
richly-dressed group has increased in num-
bers, the new figures arriving oR= -Dy one
to take their places in this long line of
ancient Sultans who have silently waited
for them for hundreds of years. They
touch shoulders now, all these phantoms
Of those who reigned at wide intervals OF
each other, brought together by death in
the same dreary non-existence
"And this extraordinary luxury
sprinkled with the dust Of ages, Is most
to contemplate OF fabulous
these figures, In their lofty
turbans, guarded so ZealousIy behind
double iron doors, have seen years, reIgns
and centuries pass, and revolutions rise
and fall, in the same immobility, the same
silence, scarcely lighted even in the day-
time behind the ancient grated windows.
and in total obscurity as soon as the sun
las set. Each one bears its name-now
IN empty sound, but once illustrious and
the Conqueror,' 'Soly.
nan the MaEnihcent,' MAhomet,' Nah
mould the Reformer' and so on, through