i ô A R elation ôf the Grand Seïgnor s Seraglio. 



who thus ferve in the Brigantines, and row on the right hand, may be ad vanc'd to 

 the charge of Bofiangi-Bacbi, which is one of the moft cûufidef able places of the Sera- 

 glio : But they who row on the left hand, are capable only of the mean Employ- 

 ments, which are beftow'd in the Gardens. If it happen that any one of them break 

 his Oar, by ftrength of rowing, in the Grand Seignor's prefèrïcc, his Highnefs imme- 

 diately orders him a gratuity of fifty Crowns ■■> and there is alfo a certain diftribution 

 made of (orne Money to the others, as the Grand Seignor takes his diver tîon in the 

 Brigantine. Their greateft Pay, after they have ferved fome years, is feven Afpcrs 

 and a half per diem, befides clothing and diet, which they all equally have. 



Bojlangi-bachi The Boftangi-Bacbi has the general Intendency or Overfight of al¥ the Grand' Seig- 

 b?èft 0f Cha nor ' s " Gar< ^ ens " as wel1 t M^ °f Conjiaminople as* thofe of the neighbouring Villages, 

 ofthe Port. 8CS ^ commands above ten thoufand Boftangis* who are cmploy'd in the culture of 

 them. Though he be taken out of the meaneft rank of the Azamoglans, yet his pow- 

 er is very great, and his Employment one of the noblcfi and moft con fid érable" about 

 the Court. That gives him acccfs to the Prince's Perfon, to whom he may fpeak' fa- 

 miliarly, when he carries him by Sea -, for he has his Seat at the Helm ofthe Brigantine 

 wherein the Grand Seignor is, who moft commonly makes ufe of him, to carry his 

 Orders to fome BaJJ'a, when he would have his Head. All the Grandees of the Port 

 Hand in awe of him, and endeavour to gain his affection by their Prefents, becaufe it 

 lies in his power, to do them either good or bad Offices about the Prince, whom he 

 can difpofe, as he pleafes, when he has him abroad upon the Water. For being as" 

 'twere at his elbow, and having the whip of the Rudder in his hand, with the privi- 

 ledge of fitting in his prefence, that he may the more ealily govern it, he has then the 

 opportunity to entertain him with affairs of State, and the conduct of the Baffas, and 

 anfwerably to his pailion, orintereft, clearly to acquaint him how things pafs, or turn 

 and difguifè them as he pleafes. In fine, if he be highly in, favour, he may obtain one 

 of the great Governments, and become BaJJ'a of Buda, Babylon, or Cairo, nay haply 

 Grand Vizir, which is the moft eminent Charge ofthe Empire. 



The Capigis are the Porters or Keepers of the Gates of the Seraglio, that is to fay, of 

 the firft and fécond Courts s for the third Gate, which gives entrance into the inner 

 Seraglio, is kept by Eunuchs. The Chief of the Capigis is caU'd Capigi-bacbi, who has 

 under him other Officers, bearing the fame Name -, and whom the Grand Seignor 

 makes ufe of, to carry his Orders. The Capi-Agais above all. 



The Attag'vs are the Cooks of the Seraglio, over whom as well as over the Halvagk, 

 the Kilargi-bachi has full Power. Every Kitchin has its Attagi-bacbi, that is to fay, its 

 chief Director, or Mafter-Cook. And the Moutbak^Emin is the Intendant or Overfeer, 

 who fupplies the Kitchins with all that is neceffary, taking care alfo for the Tables of 

 the Ambalfadors, according to the Orders he has receiv'd from the Grand Vizir. 



The Halvagvt are the Confe&ioners, of whom I fhall have cccafion to fpeak more at 

 large elfevr' e. They give alfo the fame Name to thofe who (èrve the Grandees of 

 the Seraglio, and are pennitted to go out of it and into it, when they pleafê. 



The BaltagU are a robuft fort of People, imploy'd in the carrying of Burthens, as 

 Porters, and Cleavers of Wood are amongft us. Baltagi implies properly a Labouring 

 Man, who makes ufe of the Wedge. 



The Haftekr-Agafi is the Overfeer of the Infirmary, who obferves what comes in, 

 and what goes out, and efpecially that there be no Wine brought in. 



I (hall have occafion alfo, in my Relation, to fpeak of two others, to wit, the 

 Emirabour-bachi, and the Ekpieggi-bacbi, who are two Officers belonging to the Sultan, 

 but have their Habitations out of the Seraglio. 



The Emirabour-bacbi is the great Gentleman-Uffier, who goes before the Grand 

 Seignor, when he appears in publick, and in all Ceremonies* 



The 



