NIZAM-I-GEDID. 
749 
praetorian guard. But the standard round which they rally in 
the absolute field of battle, is their kettle. For an Orta to lose 
that culinary ensign, would entail an almost indelible disgrace 
upon every man of the regiment; consequently the regimental 
kettle is guarded with the strictest care, and on all occasions re¬ 
ceives similar honours to that we pay our colours. In the 
reign of the late Sultan Selim, he tried to establish a different 
order of military ; and by their superior tactics, hoped gradually 
to discountenance and supersede the Janissaries, both in their 
military occupations and political influence. This new force 
was called the Nizam-i-Gedid ; several regiments of which were 
organized and clothed in the European style, and afterwards 
shewed their superiority over the old system, in many places, but 
more particularly at the siege of St. Jean D’Acre against theFrench, 
However, the ancient power of the Janissaries was yet too strong 
to be attempted with impunity; and this first trial towards it, 
by means of what they called Christian innovations , nearly cost all 
the new levies their lives, and certainly shortened the days of 
their enterprising Sultan. 
Time wore away with me, but not the plague out of the city ; 
and fearing I should after all be obliged to leave even its neigh¬ 
bourhood without having been once within its walls, unless I 
might dare passing them as things were, I urged my wishes to 
Sir Robert Liston, who at last thought I might venture with 
circumspection. Accordingly, accompanied by himself, and 
attended by several Janissaries to keep off* the Turks; some of 
whom might chance to be infected by the plague, and few of 
whom are backward in such cases to rub against a Frangy, and 
so give him a touch of their quality. These precautions being 
taken, we descended to the shore of Galata, and again crossing 
