Year: 1868

ment, remains to be seen. The army is ne chief
means Of defence OF the Empire, and for many years
the navy hes been but feeble auxiliary FOR some
years previous to his death, Sultan Mahmepd gave
great attention to the restoration OF the navy which
had been almost annhilated at Naverno, Dut during
the reign of his successor Abdul Medd, was sadV
neglected. The present Sultan however, has always
shown a strong inclination for naval anairs
and on coming TO the throne iost no
time in taking measures for establishing
this branch OF the service on an emcient
footing, and large sums were expended upon
wooden ships OF every class, and more recently iour
large IRON -clads were constructed In England, COST
ing upwards OF f300, 600 each.


SO fully was the Sultan convinced, from repre-
sentations made to him at the tme that these costly
English ironclad frgates were the most formidable
ships that could possibly be built that he ordered
two OF them to be paid for out OF his privy purse
So great the drain upon the treasury at the time
that the fourth frigate could not leave England for
some months after her completion, and was finally
Obliged to leave her armament behind Tor want OF
funds TO pay for it. When the Sultan heard OF the
fate OF the Italian iron-cad frigate, sunk by the
Austrans, and came to understand the superiority OF


the American monitors over his costly and as ne had
supposed invunerable ships he was so disgusted with
his acquisition that he would never visit the last three
ships that arrived here, and his enthusiasm Tor
naval AFFAIRS was for a time considerably abated
More recently his naval tastes have revived and last
year he abolished the office OF Captain Pacha grand
admirall aud is now so Jealous OF the action OF the
Board Of Admras thai he has taken the chief direc-
ton OF IL into his own hands. He appoints the
officers to their commands and orders the ships to
their respective stations. He has given orders for
the construction OF new dock of sufficient capacity
TO receive the largest class of ships All his leisure
moments are spent in making sketches OF ships and


steamers, diligently searching for The philosophers
stone OF naval architecture. lie lately ordered q


turret ship in England, to be built after his own


plans which have been submitted TO Mr.. Reed, and


as a matter OF course, approved. The new ship


must be q success, even il some slight notifications


be made in the plans in order to accomplish this
result.


The latest removal that Of the Minister Of Police


who is appointed Governor Of Smyrna. He is re-


placed by certain Husni Pacha, formerly Circas-


sian slave in the service Of one Of the ministers. His
predecessor, Ismail Pacha, Is also OF low origin,


and his advancement presents an example OF what
perseverance and intrigue can accomplish in this
country. lsma Pacha was Christian by birth and
a barber by trade. His ambition had no bounds
while he still placing the basin under the
chins OF the Smyrna porters who employed him to
scrape their faces His natural sharpness convinced


him that the capital alone offered sufficient scope for


his ambitious views, and he arrived here with few
clay pes as his sole fortune. He found his
way to the palace, where he made the acquaint-
black, and subsequently succeeded In attract
ing the notice and gaining the friendship Of
OF the eunuchs, through whose influence he OBJ
tanned a place as pupil in the Imperial school OF
medicine subsequently he studied for while in
Paris and on his return became professor In the


school here Having progressed thus far, the rest OF
his task was comparatively easy. BY dint OF his
intriguing talent he soon became governor OF the
medical school; next was appointed chief ply sican


to the Sultan, ana we next lind him Minister of
Commerce. lie has since been several times ap-
pointed Governor General in the provinces
Office which he held in Crete at the time the nsnr


Tection commenced there. After his return here he


set to work to obtain another good post and in
due time appointed Minister Of Police, which post


had been left vacant by the death OF Mehemet Pacha


when he acquired some fame account OF his sharp


wtted expsdents for G nearetng 9nt the thieves and


now again Governor OF the province of Smyrna,


where, in his native city, he has many Christian
relatives ready to make the most OF aonship


AS II in reproach OF the French government for
the tyrannous restraint exercised over the pens Of


s we he ARE aeae @
the acts and policy OF the government in the most
unreserved manner.


young Turkish writer Of some talent has recently
published here pamphlet entitled "ClviiizatiOn."
The author is very severe In his criticisms on the
government, which he biames for neglecting to take
proper measures for the education Of the people,
and thus retarding the progress OF civilization
among the population, DC. The work has created
some sensation here on account OF the freedom with
which the ideas OF the author have been expressed.
a new local Turkish paper has also just appeared
thus avalng itself In good time OF the advantage OF
participating in the newly granted freedom Of the
press.


The new Council Of State, which took us all by sur
prise when announced two weeks ago, is now In an
advanced stage OF organization after undergoing
many notifications. "Many called but few are
chosen" Half dozen members have been named
for whom other employment was afterwards found.


now hear that Christian delegates from the pro-


vinces viii be invited to sit as members in the coun


Gill; in order that they may give their own as well as


the views OF the population among which they reside


regarding the question of taxation, necessity Of
making roads and ports and public improve


ments and ameliorations generally. The. pre-
else scope and limits Of the changes and reforms
now set on foot here 1t is impossible to
predict, but II the measures being inaugurated
are consistently carried into execution we are not
far removed from q constitutional government; in
any case we are quite ready to accept the changes
already made as an earnest OF a new policy for the
government and a new career for the empire


The ex-Lord Mayor and Sheriff OF London are still
here enjoying themselves highly at the expense OF


the Turkish government They have been entertained


by the Grand vzier and by special orders of the Sui
M of


rank, although the Turks are well aware that once
out OF ONCE In England all their glory has departed
and they sink to the rank OF ordinary mortals. The


Turks are however, eager to respond to the civtes
offered by the city OF London during the Sutan's
visit, and avail themselves Of the first chance they


have had to exhibit their appreciation and gratitude.
No change OF moment has taken place In Crete.
Many refugees have returned to their homes, the
Greeks say as c0mbatants but my information states
the contrary. The Russian ships still cruising


along the coast, taking on such refugees will
bark with them, whom they carry to Greece, where


starvation stares them In the face and this is


ring after the heads Of hundreds Of families In Crete
have petit0ned the Sultan to furnish the means OF
transporting their wives and children from Greece
back to their homes In the island. Such an anomaly
could only be created through the influence OF an
incredible amount OF either ignorance deception