The City of the Sultan and Domestic Manners of the Turks, in 1836 Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ...were grey, and whose age should have exempted them from such an office as their ne 'cessities had induced them to fulfil. Beside these were placed two youths dressed as Chinese, with long braids hanging down their backs, and feather fans in their hands; not very unlike the figures which adorn the old china in the cabinet of an antiquary. Next came forward a procession composed of all the trades of Constantinople, from the Jew who vends fried fish at the corners of the streets, to the Frank merchant, who, when he closes his office, becomes one of the " Exclusives" of Pera. 134 THE FRANK MERCHANT. Of course, the Frank was very roughly handled. His hat was struck off, and made a football for all the ragamufiins by whom he was surrounded; and the comments which were uttered alike upon his costume and his country were by no means courteous or conciliatory. But it could scarcely be expected that more delicacy would be observed towards a Frank than had been shown to the women of the country; and, this specimen of bad taste apart, the procession was the best point of the performance; as the indivividuals who composed it appeared to have been principally " taken in the fact," and forced upon the scene; thus affording faithful rather than flattering representations of their several callings. When the procession moved off, the serious business of the drama was resumed; the three females reentered on the scene, accompanied by their mother, and a Greek serving-man, laden with their parasols and essence-bottles; and followed by two thieves, who concealed themselves behind the Chinese statues, for such I found that the two quaint figures who had so quietly walked to their places were intended to represent. After a vast deal of...