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EETURN TO ULU KISHLA 285
than others, but wherever it is least, you find that
Greeks or Armenians form a large proportion of the
inhabitants.
Turkish Moslems still have a strong sentimental
regard for Konia, as being closely connected with the
earlier history of Osmanli conquest and the rising
tide of Osmanli dominion. One of the Turkish Sultan's
titles of honour is " Grand Chelibi of Konia."
The city may, indeed, become an Osmanli capital
again, for Moslem thoughts turn to it as a place
suitable for the purpose, whenever Constantinople
seems to be in danger. It is remote and inaccessible
from the sea, that highway of infidel influence
and power ; at Konia they think they may find peace
and relief from European pressure, and be able to
live and govern in their own stagnant fashion. But
what a change such a transfer will be for those
accustomed
to caicques upon the Bosphorus on moonlit
summer nights, to Bosphorus palaces, to houses at
delicious summer islands in the Sea of Marmora
For them the removal to Konia will be a going
forth into friMitful and almost unthinkable wilds.
Many of them, one supposes, will prefer to stand
by their pleasant places in Constantinople, whatever
rulers that city may be fated to see.
After a week spent in Konia I took train for Ulu
Kishla again, carrying with me fresh
stores, and comfortable
in the knowledge that if snowed up anywhere
I should be well provisioned. A snowstorm came on
at Karaman, and increased to a violent blizzard by
the time Eregli was reached. The thirty miles of
steady ascent thence to Ulu Kishla took four hours,
in spite of two powerful engines, and more than once
the train was almost brought to a standstill by snowdrifts.
But at dark, and long overdue, we at last
drew into the terminus, amid a whirling of powdery
snow so fine and close that station buildings and
lamps were invisible from the carriage. Ighsan was
on the platform, and falling now into his earlier
manner, kissed hands and cried for pleasure, though