34 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
GiiAP. ^as written upon the edges of its leaves. 
From the ceiUng of the room, which was of 
burnished gold, opposite to each of the doors, 
and also opposite to the fire-place, were sus- 
pended three gilt cages, containing small figures 
of artificial birds; which sung by mechanism. 
In the centre of the room stood an enormous 
gilt brasier, supported, in an ewer, by four 
massive claws, like the vessels for containing 
water which are seen under sideboards in 
England. Opposite to the entrance, on one 
side of the apartment, was a raised bench, 
crossing a door ; and upon this were placed 
an embroidered napkin, a vase, and bason, for 
washing the beard and hands. Over the bench, 
upon the wall, was suspended the large em- 
broidered porte-feuille, worked with silver thread 
in yellow leather, which is carried in procession 
when the Sultan goes to mosque, or elsewhere 
in public, to contain the petitions presented by 
his subjects. Within a small nook close to the 
door was also a pair of yellow boots ; and upon 
the bench, by the ewer, a pair of slippers of 
the same materials. These are placed at the 
entrance of every apartment frequented by the 
Sultan. The floor was covered with Gobelins 
tapestry; and the ceiling, as before stated, was 
magnificently gilded and burnished. Groupes 
of arms, such as pistols, sabres, and poignards. 
