| Transcript |
WITH, THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR. 27
of punishment Foreign ambassadors, proceeding to an audience, were formerly delayed
in this spot for a considerable time, as if to exhibit the superiority of the Osmanli, and
proud contempt for the infidels, who were meet associates for the public executioner of
the empire. Beyond this is a more spacious and secluded court, planted and laid
out in walks. On one side is an extensive range of kitchens, each appropriated to
the respective officers in the seraglio. On the other is the divan, where the grand
council is held, the troops paid, law-suits decided, and where foreign ambassadors
used formerly to be washed, fed, and clothed, before they were admitted to the presence
of the Sultan. It is a small edifice containing two compartments, surmounted with
domes. Inside are sofas round the walls, which are called divans, and hence the name
of the building. Behind, projecting from the wall above, is a small lattice-work gallery,
capable of containing one person, entirely concealed from view. This has been compared
to the Ear of Dionysius, where the tyrant sits unseen, and hears the opinions of those
below. He sometimes applies his eye to a small aperture, through which it is seen
gleaming like that of a basilisk, fascinating and paralyzing the speaker on whom it
lights.
Beyond this, and opposite the entrance, is the gate represented in our illustration. It is decorated with the most gorgeous display of Turkish sculpture, covered
with large semicircular projections, supported on a colonnade of pillars. The embossments are of gold on blue and green grounds, and the whole is in a style perfectly Oriental. To add to this effect, the gate is usually thronged with eunuchs, both
black and white. The sallow aspect, beardless chin, and disproportioned bodies of these
creatures, dressed in satin robes of bright green, have an unnatural appearance that is
quite revolting. The time chosen, is a procession oi the grand vizir to visit the Sultan,
attended by guards in the costume of the seraglio. The practice of salutation, by drawing
the hand or garment in the dust, and placing it afterwards on the forehead, is observed
as the vizir is passing. Here it is that the foreign ambassadors and their suites were
seized by the collar, and dragged, as it were, down the passage leading to the reception-
room of the Sultan. This apartment is dark and mean, dimly lighted by a single
window; and the throne is a dingy platform, very much resembling a four-post bed.
Beyond this, all is veiled in impenetrable mystery; and no Frank can enter, except
at the hazard of his life. Some travellers have described the imminent peril they
encountered in attempting to explore these forbidden haunts. From the secrecy observed,
many suppose the word seraglio to be derived from " serrare," to lock up, but serai
signifies simply a palace, or hotel, and is indiscriminately applied to any large building.
Here begins the harem, or women's apartments, in which are kept five hundred females,
devoted exclusively to the Sultan's pleasure. On his accession, he is presented with a
a number of virgin slaves, from whom he selects six, called afterwards " Kadina," from
whom alone are born heirs to his crown; she that first provides one, obtaining the
superiority over the rest, is called " Hassekir Sultana." The Sultan uses no such
ceremony as throwing his handkerchief at the female whom he selects; she is simply
conducted to him by the kislar aga, or chief eunuch, when he has made his choice. |
