184 HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



tomed to look upon themselves as lords of the country and superior beings, 

 they have, as might be expected, assumed a somewhat imperious manner, 

 which has not as yet left them. There are a few Turkomans in European 

 Turkey, allied to the Osmanlis in language, faith, and customs. Attempts 

 have been made to render the inhabitants of Turkey in Europe more like the 

 •people of other parts of that continent ; the entire constitution has experienced 

 many alterations, but things remain, notwithstanding, very much as they were 

 in ancient times. Thus, even at this day, each house contains a woman's 

 apartment (Harem), carefully separated from the reception room of the men 

 (Selamlik). The court of the Sultan is also strictly divided into the depart- 

 ments of the Serai (Seraglio), /. e. of the exterior, and that of the Harem, i. e. 

 of the interior. The ministries of the Interior and of Foreign Affairs, and the 

 Executive, have their offices at the entrance of the Sublime Porte. Next after 

 these buildings, the treasury, with its different divisions, is located, in which 

 are kept the jewels belonging to the house, the gold and silver. Further in 

 the interior is found the hearth, held sacred by the Ottomans, as the emblem 

 of the warlike power of the empire, and of hospitality and domesticity. The 

 places of honor, " shadars" (sofas), belong to the Ulema, a body composed of 

 persons enjoying the highest dignities, sacerdotal and juridical. Hence 

 the highest offices are collectively called Shadars. To the exterior part 

 of the Sultan's court belong the seven apartments ; the innermost, the 

 treasury, the provision room, the linen room, the great and small cham- 

 bers, and the Seraglio of Galata, where pages are educated for the 

 Seraglio. The kitchen and stable, gardens and hunting grounds, hospital, 

 exchequer, and the guard of the Seraglio, belong also to this part of the 

 establishment. 



The dignity of Sultan frequently, but not always, passes to the first-born 

 son. The Empress Mother exerts a great influence at the court of her son. 



The Grand Vizier manages all the affairs of the Empire, and at the same 

 time is keeper of the great seal, the sultan possessing a duplicate. All com- 

 mands issued by the Grand Vizier are looked upon as if they came from the 

 Sultan himself Divans are held in his palace five times in the week, but he 

 can at any time command access to the Sultan for the purpose of reporting to 

 or conferring with him. Next below him are the ministers. The interpret- 

 ers, through whom business with foreign ambassadors is transacted, are called 

 dragomans. To the Ulema, mentioned above, belong also the Cadis, or 

 judges ; the Muftis, or men learned in the laws, who are called upon for 

 advice ; the Imaums, or ministers of religion ; and the Dervises, or monks. 

 The churches (Mosques) are divided into great or Dshami, and small or 

 Medshed. 



The Turks are lovers of the table. Pilau, that is to say, fowls or mutton 

 with rice and spices, is a national dish. Roast meat, with the exception of 

 pork, is frequently eaten. Few vegetables are eaten ; but pastry, and 

 -especially preserved fruits, are much liked by the Turks. Their principal 

 drink is coffee, which is taken while they are smoking tobacco, both sexes 

 indulging in this latter practice. As food is prohibited in the day-time 

 during the fast of Ramazan, the pleasures of the table are enjoyed the more 

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