THE SULTAN'S WRETCHED LIFE.

Western Star, Issue 2220, 8 July 1898, Page 6

THE SULTAN'S WRETCHED LIFE.

Latest reports from Armenia represent the Sultan's Christian subjects as mffrring terrible hardships. It is doubtful, however, if their lot is much more unhappy than that ot their

Sovereign. One who saw the Sultan not long ago thus describes him ■'

The Sultan is the most wretched, pinched-up little sovereign I e/er saw. A most uuhappylookingman, of ilaik complexion, with a look of absolute terror in his larije Eastern eyes. People say he is nervous ; and no wondur, considering the fate ot his predecessor. Yet this is to be regretted, for if he could surmount these fears his would lie an agreeable and refined countenance, eminently Asiatic in type, and with a certain churm of expression.

All I can say is, that his eyes haunted me for days, as of one gazing at some unknown horror So emaciated and unnatural is his appearance that were he a European we should pronounce him in swift decline. I hoar that his greatest frienrl and favourite is his physician; and ne wonder, for ho must nee 1 his constant care, considering the life he leads. How all the fabh d state of the Oriental potentate palls before such a lesson in Koyal misery ! The poorest beggar in his dominion is happier than he ! It is not surprising that Abdul Hamid should fear assassination. Abdul Aziz was so afraid of being poisoned that he lived chiefly on hardboiled eggs. Abdul Hamid never stirs outside his park. He refused to accompany the German Emperor to Soda.

Some grand duchess, whom he received at his Court, on his complaining that his health was indifferent, advised him to take more exercise andrhangeof air and to drive about the country. Un u*r departure he is reported to have said : " What harm have I done that this woman should desife my death ? Why docs she advise me to run into such dangers ? " Habitually he drinks only water, brought to the palace in casks under special precautious. His food is extremely plain, consisting chiefly of vegetables. No one works harder than Hamid. He t»kes but a few hours' sleep, and sometimes passes the entire night, pen in hand, signing every document himself, from the appointment uf a governor to the lowest officer at the palace.

Like most Orientals, he is an early riser. After the prayers and ablutions enjoined by his religion—and he is eminently a pious Tuik he drinks a cup of coffee, and then begins smoking cigarettes, which (as was the case with Louis Napoleon) he continue* all day. Abdul Hamid aad his entourage, the " Chronicle's " correspondent says, are in a great state of nervous dread in regard to possible troubles on the occa> sion of the Sultan's forced vifit to Stamboul to kiss the Prophet's mantle on the fifteenth day of Ramazan. It is repotted that » slight subsidence of the road in the Turkish quarter, near the Mosque, necessitated repairs which have led In tile discovery of a tunnel from an adjacent house to a chamber worked out under the loadway, and supposed to be intended for dynamite, The occupants of the house have been arrested. The whole affair is, of course, stoutly denied by the. officials. Many members of the diplomatic circle :ire uneasy in their minds, tearing that the RamaBan will not pass without troubles of some soit, but tbey do not specify in what direction.