MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 
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breaths, and an anxious looking up the avenue toward the 
gates of the palace. And now the murmur of awe rises 
higher, the clatter of horses’ feet is distinctly heard, the 
music strikes up, and/out comes the sovereign Potentate of 
Turkey, mounted on a prancing steed, and surrounded by a 
legion of magnificent Pashas, likewise mounted on prancing 
steeds. Onward he comes, slowly and with solemn majesty. 
But his thoughts are on holy subjects, he looks neither to the 
right nor to the left, but straight toward the door of the 
mosque. A Sultan may condescend to bow before Allah and 
the Prophet, but he is too high a personage to bow to man; 
hats are pulled off and heads nodded in vain. He pays no 
attention to the homage ; not even to us sovereigns, who have 
done him the honor to stand bare-headed before him these 
ten minutes for the sake of enjoying the show unmolested by 
his minions! The royal dress worn on this occasion was 
quite simple, consisting of ordinary European trowsers, an 
embroidered Turkish coat, and a fez, with a cloak thrown 
loosely over the shoulders. His face is pale and careworn, 
his person emaciated, and his appearance altogether blase. 
People say that he is drugged and stupefied, for certain po¬ 
litical purposes ; and certainly, if ever a poor fellow bore the 
marks of premature decay and imbecility of mind resulting 
from excess, it is Abd-ul-Mejid. 
Now, all hail to Allah and the Prophet! the Sultan has 
reached the door of the mosque. Bearded Pashas, glittering 
with buttons and gold lace, catch his bridle; and bearded 
Pashas again catch him as he painfully dismounts. Slowly 
he ascends the steps upon the well-swept cloths—that aged 
young man of twenty-eight—supported on each side by a 
Pasha. A shout of joy and devotion rises on high ! Pashas, 
officers, soldiers and all shout glory and honor to the Sultan ! 
Long life and happiness to Abd-ul-Mejid ! All hail to Allah 
and the Prophet, the sovereign Potentate of the East has gone 
to prayers ! Up goes the crier of the mosque on the highest 
minaret, and proclaims the important tidings to the world, 
“ Allah akbar! the sublimest of Sultans is at his devotions ! 
God is great, and Mohammed is his Prophet!” 
