Chapter XIII

Invitation from Mustapha Pasha of Scodra—The Caïque, and the
Caïquejhes—How to Travel in a Caïque—Hasty
Glances—Self-Gratulation—Scutari—Imperial Superstition—The
Seraglio Point—Dolma Batchè—Beshiktash—The Turning
Dervishes—Beglièrbey—The Kiosks—A Dilemma—A Ruined
Palace—An Introduction—A Turkish Beauty—A Discovery—A New
Acquaintance—The Buyuk Hanoum—Fatiguing Walk—Palace of
Mustapha Pasha—The Harem—Turkish Dyes—Ceremonies of
Reception—Turkish Establishment—The Buyuk Hanoum—Turkish
Chaplets—The Imperial Firman—Pearls, Rubies, and
Emeralds—The Favourite Odalique—Heyminè Hanoum—A
Conversation on Politics—Scodra Pasha—Singular
Coincidence—Convenience of the Turkish Kitchen—Luxury of the
Table—Coquetry of the Chibouk—Turkish Mode of Lighting the
Apartments—Gentleness towards the Slaves—Interesting
Reminiscences—Domestic Details—Dilaram Hanoum—A Paragraph
on Pearls—A Turkish Mirror—A Summons—Scodra Pasha—Motives
for Revolt—The Imperial Envoy—Submission—Ready Wit of the
Pasha’s Son—The Reception Room—Personal Appearance of the
Scodra Pasha—Inconvenient Courtesy—Conversation on
England—Philosophy—Pleasant Dreams—The Plague-Smitten 216

CHAPTER XIV.

Procession of Betrothal—Preliminary Ceremonies—The Mantle of
Mahomet—The Palace of the Seraskier Pasha—The Palace
Square—Picturesque Groups—An Interior—Turkish
Children—Oriental Curiosity—Costume of the Turkish
Children—Military Music—The Procession—Hurried Departure of
the Crowd—The Seraskier’s Tower—The Fire Guard—Candidates
for the Imperial Bride—Imperial Expedient—Saïd Pasha—Policy
of the Seraskier—An Audience—The Biter Bitten—Ingenious
Ruse—Sublime Economy—Brilliant Traffic—The Danger of
Delay—The Marriage Gifts—An Interesting Interview 255

CHAPTER XV.

Fine Scenery—The Coast of Asia—Turkish Cemeteries—The
Imperial Seraï—The Golden Horn—Mount Olympus—The
Arabajhe—The Araba—The Persian Kiosk—The Barrack of
Scutari—The Mosque of Selim III.—The Slipper of the Sultana
Validè—The Imperial Guard—Military Material—The Macaroni
Manufactory—Sublime Targets—A Major of the Imperial
Guard—Triumph of Utilitarianism—The Rise of the Vines—The
Holy Tomb—Encampments of the Plague-smitten—The Setting
Sun—Return to Europe—The Square of Topphannè 276

CHAPTER XVI.

Turkish Superstitions—Auguries—The Court Astrologer—The
Evil Eye—Danger of Blue Eyes—Imperial Firman—The
Babaluk—The Ceremony—Sable Pythonesses—Witchcraft 289

CHAPTER XVII.

Imperial Invitation—Disagreeable Adventure—Executed
Criminal—Efficacy of Wayside Executions—Tardy
Conversions—Mistaken Humanity—Summary Mode of
Execution—The Palace of Asmè Sultane—Entrance of the
Harem—Costume of the Slaves—Nazip Hanoum—Ceremonious
Reception—The Adopted Daughter—Costume of the Ladies of the
Seraï—Beauty of the Slaves—Extraordinary
Arrangement—Rejected Addresses—The Imperial
Lover—Sacredness of Adoption in Turkey—Romantic
Correspondence—Ladies of the Household—The Mother of the
Slaves—Peroussè Hanoum—Crowded Audience—The Imperial
Odalique—Music of the Harem—The New Pet—The
Kislar-Agha—The “Light of the Harem”—The Poetical
Sultan—Indisposition of the Sultana—The Palace Gardens—The
Imperial Apartments—The Dancing Girl—Reluctant
Departure—Ballad by Peroussè Hanoum 298

CHAPTER XVIII.

Kahaitchana—The Barbyses—The Valley of the Sweet
Waters—Imperial Procession—National Interdict—Picturesque
Scene—The Princess Salihè and her Infant—Forbearance of the
Sultan—The Toxopholites—Imperial Monopoly—Passion of the
Sultan for Archery—Record-Columns—The Odalique’s Grave—The
Lost One—Azmè Sultane—Imperial Courtesy—A Drive through the
Valley 321

CHAPTER XIX.

Easter with the Greeks—Greek Church at Pera—Women’s
Gallery—Interior of a Greek Church—The Sanctuary—The
Screen—Throne of the Patriarch—The Holy Sepulchre—Singular
Appearance of the Congregation—Sociability of the
Ladies—_L’Echelle des Morts_—Shipping—Boats and
Boatmen—Church of the Fanar—Ancient Screen—Treasure
Chests—The Sanctuary—Private Chapels—A Pious
Illumination—Priests’ House—Prison—Remedy against
Mahomedanism—Midnight Mass—Unexpected Greetings—The
Patriarch—Logotheti—Russian Secretaries—Russian Supremacy
in Turkey—Affinity of Religion between the Greeks and
Russians—The Homage—Pious Confusion—Patriarch’s
Palace—Lovely Night-Scene—Midnight Procession—Serious
Impressions—Suffocating Heat—Dawn 332

CHAPTER XX.

Feasting after Fasting—Visit to the Patriarch—Gorgeous
Procession—Inconvenient Enthusiasm—Indisposition of the
Patriarch—The Ceremony of Unrobing—The Impromptu Fair—The
Patriarch at Home—The Golden Eggs 353

CHAPTER XXI.

High Street of Pera—Dangers and Donkeys—Travelling in an
Araba—Fondness of the Orientals for their
Cemeteries—Singular Spectacle—Moral Supineness of the
Armenians—M. Nubar—The Fair—Armenian
Dance—Anti-Exclusives—Water Venders—Being à la
Franka—Wrestling Rings—The Battle of the Sects 360