THE SULTAN'S BUFFOON. 151 



being interrupted now and then by an irregular 

 quick turn and a rapid repetition of a few single 

 notes, and then flowing on again as before. Pre- 

 sently he called an old fellow, seemingly his buffoon 

 or jester, who, squatting down before us, commenced 

 singing, in a loud, harsh voice, a kind of burlesque 

 song to the music, grimacing and contorting his 

 countenance, and imitating the cries of fowls and 

 geese, and other birds and animals. The Sultan 

 laughed very heartily, although it seemed quite a 

 customary thing ; for as soon as the old man had 

 finished his strange cries and gesticulations, and 

 " left his damnable faces," his countenance at once 

 fell into a settled serious expression, as if tired of his 

 task, but resigned to go on with it as often as it 

 should be required. This sudden contrast between 

 ridiculous action and deep gravity was to me the 

 most amusing part of the exhibition. The Sultan 

 then exhibited to us some very handsome cocks, 

 apparently crosses between different domestic and 

 wild breeds. They were kept in large cages, en- 

 tirely for show, and were certainly most beautiful 

 and noble birds. As it grew dark, several conical 

 stands with many arms were placed about the court- 

 yard, on which small glasses filled with oil floating 

 on water were set for lamps, and gradually all the 

 chandeliers and lamps in the hall were lighted up. 

 At six o'clock the Sultan and his sons retired 

 through a door in one corner of the court-yard to 

 the mosque, or private chapel, to perform his even- 



