3» 



A Relation of the 



Chap. VI. 



a (mall fpout of Water, which falls into a Bafin. This Hall is open of all fides, and 

 at the lower end, oppofite to the Gate, they place the Grand Seignor's Throne. 



the Grand 



Seignor's 



Jfrrone» 



\ 



•lit mnntr of 

 nctiving tbt 

 Amhajfadors. 



This Throne, which is rich enough, is in the manner of an Altar, and it is brought 

 into that Hall only upon thofe days, whereon the Grand Seignor is willing to give Au- 

 dience to Ambafladors, and when the new Cham of the Letter Tartary, whom he has 

 chofén to govern there, comes to receive the Inveftiture of his Kingdom, and to take 

 the accuftomed Oath. The back-fide of the Throne, is fet againft a partition erected 

 for that purpofe, which is not above half a foot higher than it, and 'tis that keeps in 

 the cuftiions which are behind the Grand Seignor. 



There are in the Treafury-Chamber eight feveral very fumptuous Coverings pur- 

 pofely made to cover the aforefaid Throne : and they are fo large, that they reach 

 down to the ground on three fides of it, that is to fay, before, on the right hand, and 

 on the left : for as to the back-part, it is, as I told you, faften'd to the partition. The 

 moft Magnificent of all thofé Coverings is of a black Velvet, with an .Embroydery of 

 great Pearls, whereof fome are long, and others round, and in the form of Buttons. 

 There is another of white Velvet, fet out with an Embroydery of Rubies and Eme- 

 ralds, moft whereof are fet in Beazils, or Collets, the better to keep them in. There 

 is a third, of a Violet-colour'd Velvet, embroyder'd with Turquefes and Pearls. The 

 three others, which are next in efteem to thefe, are alio of Velvets of different Co- 

 lours, with a rich Embroydery of Gold. And the two laft are of a Gold-Bro- 

 kado,which have alfb their particular Beauty and fumptuoufnefs.The Throne isadom'd 

 with one of thefe coverings, according to the Grand Seignor's refpedt to the Sove- 

 reign, whofe EmbafTy he receives \ and he levels his own Magnificence to that of the 

 Prince whom he would honour* 



And this is the manner, how AmbafTadors are receiv'd into that Hall. For, as to 

 the Order, and Ceremonies of their march from the Hotel, or great Houfe of Fera, to 

 the Port of Confiantinople, and from the Port, to the Seraglio, noqueftion but there 

 have been Relations enough .made already. After the Ambaffador has din'd in the 

 Hall Of the JDiyan, with the Grand Vizir, who there expected him, while his Retinue 

 are entertain'd under . the Gallery, upon fome old Carpets of Leather, which they 

 fpreâd upon; the 'ground, and upon which there are a few Dithes of Meat fet, he re- 

 ceives the Vefts or Garments, which the Grand Seignor fends him, as well for his 

 own Perfbn, as for thofe who accompany him, and they put them on immediately, 

 over all the Cloaths they have about them, as they would do a Morning-Gown. 



In this Equipage the Ambaflador is conducted to the Hall of Audience, by the Ca- 

 pi-Aga, the Grand Matter of the Ceremonies, who is ailifted by feveral Eunuchs : 

 and when lie at the Door, two Vizirs Hand ready to receive him, and they go on 

 each fide hfmy till he comes to the place, where he is to bowe , and to kifs the 

 Grand 3eignor's. Garment. From the very Gate of the Court, kept by the Eunuchs, 

 quite to that of the Hall, they walk all along upon Carpets of Silk ■■> and the Floor of 

 the Hall, though 'all pav'd with Marble, is alfb cover'd with another Carpet of Gold, 

 the Workmanfhip whereof fomewhat refembles that of our ordinary Straw-Mats 3 and 

 much about theiame thickrtefs. . 



^ The Grand Seignor demeans himfelf with a great deal of gravity, while he is in his 

 Throne -, and behind the little Wall or Partition,againft which it is fet,you fee,ftanding 

 in order,the Kifler-Agafijwho is a Negro-Eunuch,and chief Overfeer of the Appartment 

 of the Women ^ the Seligdar~Aga,who carries the Grand Seignor's.Sword > the Chokg- 

 \ dar-Aga 3 Vfho carries the Royal Robe,an Officer whom in France,they call Porte-Manteau; 

 thtEiquabdar, who holds the Stirrup, when the Prince gets on Horfè-back =, and the 

 Hazodabachi, chiêf of the Chamber, which Office would be. equivalent in France-, to 

 that of Grand Mafter of the Wardrobe. 



AH thefe fore^mentioned Officers do all deport themfelves with a great appearance 

 of modefty, having their Arms crofs their Breafts : And as to the Capi-Aga, the In- 

 trodu&or to 'the Ambafladors, ànd Grand Mafter of the Seraglio, he ftands in the 

 midft of the Hall, and in'tfe ïame pofture of humility. On the left fide of the 



Throne, 



