THE TURKISH SULTAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 27, 4 July 1891, Page 127

THE TURKISH SULTAN.

The Sultan of Turkey is of medium height, rather short than tall, well projiortioned in his person, and carrying bravely the weight of his onerous duties, though there are also moments when an old and careworn look comes across his face, and when he almost personifies the apathy we so generally connect with the Turkish character. His beard, cut into a slight point is black ; so are his hair and eyes. The latter are tender in expression, but also penetrating, and he looks his visitors straight in the face with a scrutiny that seems to read their thoughts. What destroys the pleasant first impression made by these eyes is the constant look of uneasiness in them.

The fact is Abdul Hamid does not feel himself safe even in his own palace. He does not suspect any one in particular, but he is on his guard against every one. . . . Few Padishahs have been beloved by their subjects as he. Indeed, lie is to them quite a new type of Sultan, and they do not fail to appreciate the novelty. Here is a man who does not pass his days in a harem toying with his slaves. Here is a man who takes a real interest in the welfare of his people, who, far from following the example of his predecessors and leaving the reins of Government in the hands of some clever courtiers, insists on seeing and judging all for himself, down to the minutest particulars. Personally, he is most benevolent and kind-hearted, and scarcely a month passes that he does not contribute some large sum out of his private purse to alleviate suffering among his subjects, irrespective of race or religion. His character may be summed up as having for its dominant note an extreme caution, and it is endowed with an unusual faculty for work. In manner he is exceedingly polite, especially in his Treatment of European ladies. Indeed, lie understands the rare art of making himself respected by all with whom he conies in contact.

Abdul Hamid gets up early. His toilet does not detain him long ; indeed, it might detain him longer according to European codes. Dressed, he at onee devotes himself to recite the prescribed prayers, after which he drinks a cup of black coffee, and instantly afterward begins to smoke cigarettes, a pastime that he continues all day almost without intermission, for he is an ardent smoker. Breakfast ended, he arranges family affairs, when these require his attention, as is almost always the case with so large a family, and of such varied ages and needs. This done, lie quits the harem and goes into the selandik. Here he receives the reports concerning Court affairs. Towards ten o’clock his Court secretary and chief dignitaries appear, bearing the day’s dispatches and reports. These handed in, the Sultan seats himself on a sofa, with, on his right, these documents, and on his left a pile of Turkish newspapers and extracts from the European press, translated into Turkish for his benefit by a translation bureau specially appointed to that end. His lunch, which follows the dispatch of this business, is most simple—little meat, a fair amount of vegetables. The meal ended, he will take a walk in the park or row in a little boat upon one of the lakes it incloses, always accompanied by a chamberlain or some high dignitary. After taking two hours’ exercise in the air he returns to his sitting-rooms where he holds an open reception, or else presides over some committee meeting. An hour or two before sunset he once more goes out for a walk. His dinner is as simple as his lunch. His favourite food is pillaf, sweets, and a very little meat. He never touches spirituous liquors, in due obedience to the commands of the prophet, but he drinks large quantities of sherbet and eals a great deal of ice cream. Dinner over he receives company in the selandik, or he will retire into the harem, where his daughters play and sing to him. He himself on these occasions will often seat himself at the piano, an instrument he plays fairly well. For painting, for fine arts in general he has no taste. His women, too, find him very cold, but he is devoted to his children and also much attached to ail the members of his family.