A gun from an iron-clad opposite the palace
announced that the sultan had started. The shore from the palace to the
mosque was lined with soldiers; the bands played; the people cheered;
the ships ran up their flags; all the war-vessels were gay with bunting,
had their yards manned and fired salutes, which were answered by the
shore-batteries. The mosque selected for that day's devotions was in
Tophaneh, near the water. Several regiments were drawn up to receive the
sultan, and an elegant carriage and a superb Arab saddle-horse were in
waiting, so that His Majesty might return to the palace as best suited
his fancy. After an hour spent in devotion the sultan reappeared, and
entering his carriage was driven away. We saw him again on our way
home, when he stopped to call on an Austrian prince staying at the
legation. The street leading up to the embassy was too narrow and steep
for a carriage, so, mounting his horse at the foot, he rode up, passing
very close to us.
[Illustration: TURKISH COW-CARRIAGE.]
In the afternoon we drove to the "Sweet Waters of Europe" to see the
Turkish ladies, who in pleasant weather always go out there in carriages
or by water in caiques. Compared with our parks, with their lovely lakes
and streams and beautiful lawns, the far-famed Sweet Waters of Europe
are only fields with a canal running through them; but here, where this
is the only stream of fresh water near the city, and in a country
destitute of trees, it is a charming place.
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