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THE DIAMOND RING FOUND,

OR

THE CHAMBER-MAID JUSTIFIED.

A lady having lost a valuable diamond ring, suspected that her chamber-maid had stolen it. She taxed her with the theft, but the girl firmly denied it; she however began to feel some alarm, knowing that her mistress had much confidence in the knowledge of a man in the neighbourhood, who had the reputation of being an astrologer. The girl having learned that the lady intended to go to this man, was determined to be beforehand (1) with her; she therefore went herself to him, told him the circumstances, confessed that she had taken the ring, but only with the intention of wearing it, and that she did not know what to do, fearing her mistress would turn her away (2) if she acknowledged the fault, adding, "I know she intends to come and consult you to-morrow; tell me what I must do. " Our astrologer, after a little reflection, said, "Do you keep fowls or ducks at your house? - Yes, replied "several. Have you any one among them that Yes, we have a large raven that is

she,

is remarkable?

very mischievous.

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- Well then," said he, " go home, put the ring into a piece of bread, give it to the raven, and leave the rest to me; but as you value your reputation, do not speak of it. " The girl followed his in

(1) Beforehand, d'avance.

(2) To turn away, renvoyer, congédier.

ABOLITION OF THE JANISARIES.

161

structions, and the next morning her mistress waited on (1) the astrologer, told him the affair and expressed her suspicion of the chamber-maid. He requested her to wait, and after having consulted several books and made various calculations, told her that it appeared to him the maid was innocent, and that the ring had been taken by some black animal either a dog or a bird belonging to the house. The idea of the raven immediately occurred to the lady; she retired promising to make the astrologer a handsome present if she recovered the ring through his information.

She returned home, ordered poor Ralpho to be killed and cut open (2); the diamond was found; the girl received an apology and a handsome present to heal her wounded reputation; the astrologer was liberally rewarded, and acquired so much celebrity that he soon made a fortune.

The truth was not discovered till some years after, when the girl, having married very well, communicated all the circumstances to her late mistress.

SADLER.

ABOLITION AND DESTRUCTION OF THE JANISARIES AT

CONSTANTINOPLE.

The Turkish government had long desired to introduce the European discipline among their troops. Selim, the predecessor of the sultan Mahmoud, who now reigns

(1) To wait on, se dit pour passer chez, et quelquefois pour servir.

(2) To cut open, ouvrir avec un instrument tranchant.

(1833), attempted to establish it with other improvements; but the Turks, who are extremely jealous of innovations, and particularly from christian countries, would not permit it, and Selim fell a victim to the rage of the Janisaries.

Mahmoud, his successor, being fully convinced of the superiority of European tactics, and of the necessity of adopting them in order to keep pace with other nations, resolved to make the attempt.

Expecting some opposition from the Janisaries, he assured himself of the fidelity of a number of regular troops sufficient to oppose them, and resolved, in case of violent opposition, to exterminate them altogether.

Having taken all the precautions possible, he sent for some Egyptian officers well skilled in European tactics, to drill (1) and discipline his new corps. Knowing that the Turks frequently attach more importance to words than to things, he changed the name Nizam dgedit, which had been given by Selim to the new discipline, and which signifies new regulation, to Nizamattic or old regulation, declaring that it was merely a revival of an old regulation of Soliman I. This appeared to satisfy every one, and to promise success. The 15th of June was appointed for a general review, and in order that the evolutions might be well executed in presence of the sultan, the soldiers were assembled on the day preceding to practise them together.

It was then, for the first time, that they perceived they were practising the very manœuvres that had been

(1) To drill, exercer les troupes, leur montrer l'exercice.

ABOLITION OF THE JANISARIES.

66

163

indignantly refused by the former Janisaries, and a standard bearer cried aloud, "Why, this is very like Russian manoeuvring; " others cried out, " It is much worse;" and a strong feeling of dissatisfaction began to manifest itself. The Aga reprimanded them severely, and an Egyptian officer had the imprudence to strike one of them on the face. This appeared to be the signal for revolt; the soldiers immediately dispersed in the streets robbing and insulting all they met.

They ran to the place where the ministers hold their councils; they had however heard of their approach and taken flight. The Janisaries were now joined by the rabble; they tore off (1) their uniforms, trampled them under foot (2), demolished the edifice, destroyed the archives and carried off all the valuables. This was the crisis that the sultan had feared yet wished, as it would set the affair at rest. Being fully convinced he could rely on his regular troops, he sent orders to the artillery to hold themselves in readiness; summoned a council, and declared his resolution of ruling without control, or of passing over into Asia with his troops and court; and leaving Constantinople to the mercy of the Janisaries. He ordered the sacred standard of Mahomet to be immediateley raised, that all good Mussulmans might rally round it. The standard was therefore taken from the treasury, and no sooner was it known to be hoisted (3) than thousands rushed to join it, and a

(1) To tear off, arracher.

(2) To trample under foot, fouler aux pieds.

(3) To hoist, hisser, arborer, déployer un pavillon.

solemn anathema was pronounced against all who did not.

Every thing being prepared, four officers were sent to the barracks where the Janisaries had intrenched themselves, offering them pardon if they would acknowledge their error and disperse. They immediately put the four officers to death, and peremptorily insisted that the sultan would for ever renounce his plans of innovation, that the grand visier and the Egyptian officer should be delivered to them to be punished.

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The sultan, resolved to put down this spirit of rebellion, asked the Sheik Islam (1) if it was not lawful to do it by force? The Sheik replied that it was. "Then, said the sultan, "give me a fetva (2), authorizing me to kill them if they resist.” The fetva was given, and the Aga Pacha, who had by this time collected a force of 60,000 men, received orders to attack, subdue or annihilate the Janisaries. He proceeded with his forces to the place where they were intrenched, and after having well surrounded it to prevent escape, he fired a murderous volley of grape-shot (5) into the dense crowd of them that was assembled in the barrack-yard : hundreds were killed and wounded by this discharge; the rest retired to the interior of the buildings, which were immmediately set on fire, as they still refused to surrender. The flames communicated to all parts, and discharges of artillery were continued without inter

(1) Sheik Islam, ministre de justice.

(2) A fetva, un acte d'indemnisation, autorité. (3) Grape-shot, mitraille.

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