A few officers of the Imperial household followed behind the Sultan, and the procession then terminated.  Including the soldiers, it contained from two to three thousand persons.  The marines lined the way to the mosque of Sultan Achmed, and a great crowd of spectators filled up the streets and the square of the Hippodrome.  Coffee was served to us, after which we were all conducted into the inner court of the Seraglio, to await the return of the cortege.  This court is not more than half the size of the outer one, but is shaded with large sycamores, embellished with fountains, and surrounded with light and elegant galleries, in pure Saracenic style.  The picture which it presented was therefore far richer and more characteristic of the Orient than the outer court, where the architecture is almost wholly after Italian models.  The portals at either end rested on slender pillars, over which projected broad eaves, decorated with elaborate carved and gilded work, and above all rose a dome, surmounted by the Crescent.  On the right, the tall chimneys of the Imperial kitchens towered above the walls.  The sycamores threw their broad, cool shadows over the court, and groups of servants, in gala dresses, loitered about the corridors.

After waiting nearly half an hour, the sound of music and the appearance of the Sultan’s body-guard proclaimed the return of the procession.  It came in reversed order, headed by the Sultan, after whom followed the Grand Vizier and other Ministers of the Imperial Council, and the Pashas, each surrounded by his staff of officers.  The Sultan dismounted at the entrance to the Seraglio, and disappeared through the door.  He was absent for more than half an hour, during which time he received the congratulations of his family, his wives, and the principal personages of his household, all of whom came to kiss his feet.  Meanwhile, the Pashas ranged themselves in a semicircle around the arched and gilded portico.  The servants of the Seraglio brought out a large Persian carpet, which they spread on the marble pavement.  The throne, a large square seat, richly carved and covered with gilding, was placed in the centre, and a dazzling piece of cloth-of-gold thrown over the back of it.  When the Sultan re-appeared, he took his seat thereon, placing his feet on a small footstool.  The ceremony of kissing his feet now commenced.  The first who had this honor was the Chief of the Emirs, an old man in a green robe, embroidered with pearls.  He advanced to the throne, knelt, kissed the Sultan’s patent-leather boot, and retired backward from the presence.

The Ministers and Pashas followed in single file, and, after they had made the salutation, took their stations on the right hand of the throne.  Most of them were fat, and their glittering frock-coats were buttoned so tightly that they seemed ready to burst.  It required a great effort for them to rise from their knees.  During all this time, the band was playing operatic airs, and as each Pasha