HOW THE SULTAN GOES TO MOSQUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 32

HOW THE SULTAN GOES TO MOSQUE.

Here is an interesting account, written by Miss Harriet Parsons, describing the scene witnessed in the Turkish capital when the Sultan leaves his palace at attend service at the mosque : — Friday is the Turkish Sabbath, but very little difference it makes in the Turkish capital, partly because to its Jewish population Saturday is the holy day of the week ; and the nominal Christians observe our Sunday, either by religious service or extra feasting, or both. But, however business flourishes in the bazaars, on Friday the Sultan goes to mosque for private .prayer, and to do so requires tile assistance of several thousand people. It is an Eastern idea that the longer a man keeps inferiors waiting, the greater his dignity ; and the Sultan does not forget this ; so, though the hour appointed for his devotions may be 12 o'clock, a spectator need not be in attendance till an hour or more later. But not so with the six regiments of soldiers who act as escort. They must be promptly in place, uniformed and armed, and in summer heat or driving rain await the appearance of his Majesty. One fair June day it was our good fortune to stand among the throng assembled to watch the grand parade. Hundreds of horsemen rode up to the palace stables and dismounted to join the foot procession. The crowd of spectators grew more dense, the trumpet sounded, and six thousand men sprang hastily into position. Officers of every description, foreign ambassadors, ministers of war, aide-do-camps, all in gorgeously gilded and embroidered garments, fell into lino. The palace gate opened, and a carriage containing two veiled ladies drove up before the mosque door; the horses were taken oft' and led back to the stable, while the two favourite wives sat at their ease to watch the crowd and their liege lord's glory. Other carriages brought six small sons of royalty, each armed with a gun adapted to his size. Then came the Sultan himself, a sickly-looking man of medium size and stooping figure. He rode a white horse, and was attended by a foot guard of Albanians, in blue embroidered jackets, and very full, very short, very white skirts, with belts full of knives and pistols. After him was led another line horse, but for what purpose it was hard to guess. Four men laid a black cloth over the steps and porch, and fastened ifc in place with silver weights. The Sultan dismounted, and passed within the sacred walls to pray for his kingdom, at least to repeat forms of prayer. Whether his mind was wholly lent to serious things, the European and American ladies on the guard-house steps, to whom he sent compliments, entertained doubts; but no one doubts that poor Turkey needs the prayers not only of her rulers, but of all the world.

When lv minutes later the Sultan reappeared, an old Arab, with sweeping crimson garments and flowing beard, feeling only his own needs, and forgetting that the chief ruler, ever fearful of the assassin's knife, receives no petition in person, pressed toward his Highness to proffer a request. Half a dozen officers held back the presuming petitioner, and yet he strove against them, till, overpowered by superior force, he was dragged, shrieking, as only an Oriental can shriek, into the guard house. Then the Sultan remounted, the procession reformed and marched back its little distance of perhaps an eighth of a mile to the palace gate. The crowd of onlookers sought their carriages, and, gossiping over the brilliant, senseless pageant, went back to their usual avocations. The released soldiers betook themselves to their pipes and coffee and basking in the sun; to their thieving and their gaming, till the next Friday should call them to repeat the same waiting and the same parade.