76 MifcelUne^ Curiofa. Vol. IIL 



In Byrdm time, which is the great Fefti- 

 val of the Year, at which time every one 

 looks cheerfully and merrily, among other 

 figns of mutual Refpeft, they befprinkle one 

 another with fweet Water. They indulge to 

 feveral Sports : and fome are mightily pleaf- 

 ed with fwinging in the open Air, the ordi- 

 nary fort of People efpecially, paying only a 

 few Afpers for the diverfion. 



The Government is perfeclly Arbitrary 

 and Defpotical ^ the Will and Pleafure of the 

 Emperor having the force and power of a 

 Law, and oftentimes is above it. His bare 

 Command without any procefs is enough to 

 take off the Head of any Perfon, (tho' ne- 

 ver fo Eminent in Dignity, tho' ufually for 

 formality and to filence the Murmurings of 

 the Soldiery and People, the Sentence is con- 

 firmed by the Mufti) fometimes Bajfa\ who 

 have amafled great Treafures in their Go- 

 vern m.ents, are cut off in their own Houfes 

 in the niidft of their Retinue, the Meflen- 

 gers of Death producing the Imperial Com- 

 mand, ufually fent in a black Purfe, and not 

 a Sword drawn in their Defence. Others, 

 if they are obnoxious to the leaft Umbrage 

 or Jealoufie, tho' difinift the Seraglio with all 

 poffible demonftrations of the Grand Sigmor'% 

 Favour, and with Rich Prefents in order to 

 take polfeflion of Places of great Command 

 in the Empire, before they have got two or 

 three Days Journey ivom Confiantinofle^ have 

 been overtaken and ftrangled. In the Army 

 Commands are given according to Merit, 

 Courage and Conduft are fure to be reward- 

 cdj the way lying open to the meaqeft Sol<- 



