THE DEPOSED SULTAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4790, 29 July 1876, Page 3

THE DEPOSED SULTAN.

A weekly French newspaper published a short time ago a short series of letters on the state of Turkey. Tho author, among other things, also speaks frequently of the omnipotence of the Sultan. The following sketch contains a few details about the private life and habits of the lately dethroned and imprisoned ruler of the Empire, Abdul Aziz:— “ Abdul Aziz speaks no foreign language, but he writes Turkish calligraphic, which goes a deal with tho Orientals. His palace consists of two divisions, separate, viz.—harem, occupied by his wives; and Solanvlik, in which the male portion of the inhabitants of the palace dwell and guests are received. The Sultan generally leaves the harem about nine or ten o’clock in the morning, and does not return before about nine or ten o’clock in the evening. Ho appears to the officers of his household, who wait upon him at the break of day, in the following plain outfit:— a little white cap on his head, his naked feet stuck into a pair of commodious slippers, the body wrapped up in a gedsholik, a sort of bright-colored, flowery nightgown, under which another vestment is worn. The first secretary receives his orders with regard to tho public affairs, which tho Grand Vizier presents through a certain bureau, constituted for this special purpose. So comes the breakfast, always a very abundant meal, which the Sultan enjoys with an excellent appetite. He breakfasts alone, but lots tho attendant, standing at a respectful distance, entertain him with tickling city gossip, chiefly about Ministers or other individuals on whom the Sultan may have J down. At'these occasions a freedom of expression' is used which according to our ideas is really incredible. When he afterwards

gives audience or goes out, he puts on the' official costume, but returns as soon as possible to the domestic dress. In his youth Abdul Aziz was a fearless horseman, fond of hunting and fishing, hut now he has long ago given up every bodily exercise. He mounts on horseback at most on Fridays, to ride to the Mosque and hold prayer. For his amusement, he has often athletic, ram, or cook fights performed before him. Occasionally he pays one of his chamberlains the compliment of playing backgammon with him, Lately he has occupied himself with painting. Now he will only buy landscapes, now only genre paintings, now only battle pictures. Of the latter he is best pleased at those on which the Austrians are represented as beaten by the Turks. But he only buys such as shew a good many Austrians and no Turks as dead on the field. Formerly, when he was in good humor, he liked to wrestle with his attendants, and one of these, Nevers Pasha, had that inclination to thank for his fortune. He is a man who concealed the nature of a perfect courtier under a rough outward appearance. Often he was driven away from the palace, but always regained the favor of his master. No one understood better than he how to receive, smiling and gratefully, a poke in the ribs. On such occasions he often lost his balance, but never his head. The funny position into which he went at tumbling over, delighted his master, and always rendered him some profit, be it a jewel, or money, or a new dignity. He was Minister of Commerce, of Finance, and of Public Instruction. One day, when the Sultan was very jolly, he threw him downstairs. The favorite got severe pains, and a splendid palace from it. So Nevers Pasha rose through the fitful whims of his master to honors and wealth. Among the fighting cocks every one has the name of a sovereign. Before the last war, was seen one Napoleon 111. in the cockyard—after Sedan he was taken away. Abdul Aziz himself gives every cock his name, aud points out the one who is,to represent himself in the contest; that is of course always the one whose eyes glow most fiery, whose bill is the most threatening, and whose legs are the strongest.