Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 87
hung up near the pulpit, behind which is the sanctuary. Ad-
joining to the great corridor there is a chapel ; and a gallery, appropriated
to the women, surrounds the whole of the interior of
the building. The nave is supported by columns of porphyry,
granite, &c.
The Pacha of Ni'comedia, Hussein Pacha, on his return to Con-
stantinople from Ridosto, whither he had been sent some time be-
fore for the purpose of dispersing the bands of robbers collected in
Romeliu, was decapitated on the 22d. On this occasion a remar-
kable instance of Turkish duplicity occurred. His reception by
the Kia ma kan, on his reaching the capital, was highly flattering ;
and he was invited bv him to proceed to the
seraglio, and there receive
the rewards due to his good and meritorious conduct. On
his entering, however, the gate of the seraglio,
after the Kia ma
kan had saluted him, and wished him a good morning, he was
seized by the guards, and instantly decapitated. It was reported,
that he had been guiltv of several gross acts of misconduct; and it
was urged, among other accusations, that he had not opposed so
effectual a resistance to the banditti as he might have done ;
and that
he had levied heavy contributions on the inhabitants of Ridosto, and
of the other towns of Romtlia.
On the 2Gth General Koehlcr, and all the officers belonging to
the mission, went in procession through the streets of Constan-
tinople to the Porte. Several horses richly caparisoned, under the
charge of one of the Grand Seignor's equerries, and led by as ma-
ny sais, or Turkish grooms, were, together with a party of janissaries,
and other troops, in waiting at the landing place to conduct
them to the Porte, on their reaching which, they were presented
to the Reis EfFendi, Kia ma kan, and Kiabey, each in his particu-
lar apartment. After the usual compliments had been paid them,
the General and Lieutenant-colonel Hollozvay were invested with
pelices, and the other officers with beniches, or robes of honour.
Embroidered handkerchiefs, and other presents, were also distribu-
ted. Having taken leave, they returned in procession, observing
the same order as in setting out. This visit of ceremony had been
appointed by the Porte, previously to the departure of the mission
for
Syria,
to join the army of the Grand Vizier, for which purpose
the detachment was under orders to embark on board the trans-
port.
On the 4th of June a superb fete, in honour of his Majesty's
birth-day, was given by Lord Elgin. On this occasion all the