IN THE SULTAN'S PALACE. What His Majesty is Like.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 49

IN THE SULTAN'S PALACE. What His Majesty is Like.

Sheikh Abdullah Qailliam, the well-known Liverpool lawyer, aB the head of British moslems, has been istorviewed by the writer ■with regard to his visit to Constantinople as the guest of the Sultan of Turkey. He retains lively recollections of bis experience at Yildiz Kiosk — " a suburb o£ Constantinople, lying a little more than four miles from the port, and having a spacious park overlooking the Bosphoras." He thus describes his Majesty : The Sultan is not at all the man journalists and writers in the press generally would have the world believe. I formed the most favourable impressions of his Majesty. He is a man between 40 and 50 years of age, with rather pointed features, a slightly sallow complexion, dark hair, with a moustache and beard, of medium height, with a slight stoop. He has splendid, keen, penetrating eyes, i 3 very quick of perception, his face is very thoughtful, and he has a happy manner of smiling as he speaks. When I had a long conversation with him on a host of topics the Sultan at times became very interested, now and then animated, when the cojour would rise to his pale cheeks. At such times he spoke much more quickly, in Turkish. He understands French very well, and has a slight knowledge of English. He is peculiarly fond of childreD, and invariably treats them with the greatest kindness. His Majesty is scrupulously religious, and a very devout and sincere Mussulman. A very early riser, he takes but little time for leisure, giving nearly the whole of the day to business. He has translations made for him of nearly all the leading articles in the principal European newspapers, which he eagsrly scans. In the two hours 1 interview I had with the Sultan we talked of many things. He asked me what were my favourite studies, and on replying geology and astronomy, his Majesty smiled, said he too wa3 much interested in astronomy, and gave me an order to be shown through his observatory.

He made earnest inquiries with reference to England, and the position of the Islamic oause there, and incidentally referred to the fact that Queen Victoria employed Moslem servants, adding, "Her Majesty will find them faithful, for a 'true Moslem is always faithful to his sovereign." The visitor thus describes a dinner party held prior to his reception by the Sultan t Dinner was prepared in one of the smaller dining rooms of the palac9, and was royal and superb. On the table stood a solid silver epergne, and numerous silver goblets and decanters of out crystal, whioh sparkled in the beautiful glow of the ornate lamps around. To this splendour there was added an entire dinner service of burnished and chastened silver. The waiters, of whom there were about 20, v?ere members of the corps of white eunuohs attached to the palace, natural eunuchs, gathered from all parts of the Turkish Empire. The dinner party consisted of Munier Pasha, Ibrahim Bey, Admiral Woods Pasha, Haokey Bey (one of the leading Terjuman translators), my son (aged 12), and myself. The dinner consisted of 32 courses, but in addition each guest had placed before him ia gold and Bilver vessels alternately other luxuries, such as olives, anchovy, marmalade, a peculiar cheese made in small square tablets, cream composed of the white roe of the sturgeon, raspberries, and other Oriental confections, whioh were partaken of at intervals between the courses. The mention of decanters may awaken curiosity as to the beverages served at the royal table. Islam being a great temperance lociety, no intoxicants found a place at the banquet. The liquors consisted of pine-apple sherbet, natural lemonade, and ice-water. Dexterous, silent, and ever watohf ul as were the eunuch waiters, tbe dinner lasted nearly two hours. We then adjourned to another room, and enjoyed cigarettes and coffee. Leading up to his introduction to the Sultan, Mr Quilliam continued : In the middle of coffee and oigarette smoking a messenger arrived saying the sultan was ready to receive me. My son and I passed through ante-room after ante-room, each more sumptuous and elegant than the laßt, past files of servant?, European, Asiatic, and African (all eunuohs), until we reached the entrance to the Hall of Receptions, in which his Majesty always receives thai accredited ambassadors of foreign powers. The Sultan was seated on a small settee covered with crimson plush, with a gilt back, and as soon as we -were -announced he j rose and advanced towards us. We kissed i his hand, and then became seated. Two black eanuebs brought in some more coffee j and cigarettes, carrying them on golden salvers. His Majesty took a cigarette from one of the salvers, handed it to me, and struck a light, holding the match while I lit the cigarette. Lighting one for himself, the Sultan, handed the coffee round, and said In Arabic, " Bismillah, Arratiman Arraheem " (" In the natno of God, merciful and compassionate "'), which is prasticaliy ihe Moslem grace, and is always said by true believers prior to taking their food. Alter conversation, a great portion of which I havo described, tbe Suitau turned to ray son and asked him whether ho would liko id :r.i-er 3iis service. My boy replied ia too aiui'mative, saying he ahowld • like to ho a soldier, whereupou his Majesty, turning to Munier Pasha, who was close by, saM, " Your Excellency, let Ahmad Qailliam Bey be at, once appointed to the position of Biin-Bashi (Lieutenant-colonel) in she Erfcoghronl rsgiraenfc," the crack l'eginaenfc of the Ottoman army. The Sultan said his uniform should be prepared and a horse provided. I may mention here that, shortly after our return to Liverpool, his Majesty sent a pure Arab steed over, and my son and I often eDJoy a ride or drive iv the country. I received handsome presents from his Majesty, and lor several days was his guest at the palace. The Snlfcan thus described the Moblgduc religion to Mr Quilliam : " Islam has been defined as being like an Arab horse for beauty, strength, and intelligence, and for Its swiftness in carrying conviction, and like a sword for its keen, incisive power in argument; it teaches a man always to live ; remembering that he has once to die, and as life is short he should therefore do as much good in the world as ba can while he lives, and thus be always prepared to die." j