The New York Herald Newspaper, April 25, 1851, Page 3

VIEWS OF THE EAST. ‘Wo Letters from Matthew L. Ward, of Loulsviile, Kentucky. LETTER XXIV. ConsTantinovie, 1349. & Frat’ of Bairam-- Mu; of the Celebra- Aion—Splendid Procession, including the Sultan-— Compleonon of the Turks. For several days previous to the grand feast of , the streets of Constantinople were crowded with shoop, many thousands of which wore to be sa- on rat day of this great Mohan uedan festival. The shepherds who attend: were ‘as wild and uncultivated in thoir © the Bills and mountains amidst whic! choir 2 been flocks. In their gay but much soile their sgavage oxpression ard unshorn bea eir tattor finery—the blank. thrown carelessly but, graco- ed fully about the shoulders—with their brdat belts auirea soarfs leaded with long-barrelled, almost straight-handled pistols, and er oked daggers—the ypresented as fine, picturosque specimens of Turkis out-throats as I bad seen. Tho shovp aro of that kind peculiar to the East, whose rear is protected by an enormous mass of fat, that hangs down behind and projects on each side of their hips; from this oily shield hangs an ordinary tail, which justly entitles the Oriental muttons to the epithet -of double-tailed. Pious Mussulmans were seen searching amidst the for # young fat ram, or else were followed by -@ porter, bearing on his back the intended sacrifice. Business was almost forgotten, and every thing be- tokened active preparation for the Supra re- ious celebration. Each man must provide him- self, according to the law of their Prophet, with a ‘becoming sacrifice, whieh is offered in his own house, and the rich slay a sufficient number of sheep to ‘ive alms of meat to the poor. Three days of con- nued feasting and rejoicing succeed the previous smonth’s fast ing—servants receive presents from their anasters—and the women form convivial parties for ourning and carousing amidet the tombs, with The spirits of departed friends and relatious—the Sultan goes in state to the mosque, and every thing combines to render the feast of sairam great in the eyes of the Moslems. ‘There are two great Mo- hammedan feasts which occur during tho year, and -are always solemnly observed; upon tiese occasions the Sultan goes to the mosque, attended by all his chief officers in full uniform, and offers a Sacrifice. | On the eve of the grand feast of Lairam, the rig- ring of the numerous men-of-war in the harbor flut- tered with countless signals, arrayed in gay confu- | sion of colors, and, as night closed in, lamps usurp- edtheir places, twinkled among the ropes, and we1e seon brightly beaming from the mast-heads— the mosques and the dark groves of the seraglio were brightly illuminated—the projecting galleries of the minarets were thickly surrounded with lamps that, through the unusually black night, seemed like wicaths of glowing fire cuxponded in wilair. It is difficult to conceive of the beautiful effect of these illuminated minarets, hundreds of which lofti- ly reared their dazzling crowns through the dark- ness. As the tt wore on, a bright flash is seen for an instant in the distance, and soon the low, beavy roll of a gun eame booming upon the ear— then flash followed flash, and gua followed gun, till the whole line of ships was lit up by a blaze, and the surrounding hills ve-echoed tho thunders of a yneral salute. All was onve more silence and rkness; when again the flash of # solitary gun broke for an instant through the thick gloom, and | jen scemed moved by this hired counterfeit of at- its loud, swelling report soon followed. Every ten » minutes afterwards did we #0c the and hear the roar of some heavy gun. 1 was delighted with watching for the trembling flash that announced the thunders, which continued to startle the deep stillness of the night, and it was late before I tore . myself from this mimic lightning of a storm. ‘Long before daybre: 4 was startled from my restless dreams of the approaching ceremonies by the solemn roar of another goneral salute. The long, low roll of drums, aud the busy hum of pre- ion, were heard in the now darkened groves of e seraglio. Our party were soon up and dressed. As the Suitan was expected to cut the throat of an innocent mutton in the mosque, just as the sun was + seen rising above the distant top of Mount Olym- pus, it was all-important that we should obtain a position insome shop in time to seo him pass. The Streets were already alive with streams of spectators were all flowing in the same direction, aud all was hurry, new costumes, and confusion. When we reached the principal gato of the seraglio, we found the aoe is already stationed, and the streets along which the Sultan was to pas: to the mosque, a dis! of more than half mile, were thickly lined with soldiers ia biight now uni- forms. Red and light blue jackets distinguished the cavalry and artillery from the dark blue of the infantry. “Every public » every elevated posiiion was crowed by meu or o men, who, even on an oc va like this, wandered about unattended uid key! aloof from’ the other sex. We took our seats, {or some trifling remune- ration, in the open shop fa tobacconist, and anx. fously awaited the approach of the procession. We found that the Sultan, in his arrogance of power, scorned tobe regulated even by the sun, and we waited some two hours with much impatience and empty stomachs before his highness made his ap- pearance. First came the Sultan’s led horses. Each prane- ing stallion was almost entirely covered by a gor- cous saddle-cloth, stiff with exquisite gold eimbroi- and adorned with large bouquets of flowers Is, diamor = ied by troops of wo- pas he head piece of the bridle was studded with large gews, and ormamented with a nodding plume vi differeut colored ostrich feathers, having u jewelled clasp. ‘These plumes drooped most gracefully about the heads of the fiery horses, who reared anid plunged as they were restrained by the ricbly-liveried grooms. ‘The martingales and the cruppers were all sparkling y ‘ith jewe T splendor and beauty of this po © not the sion I can never forget. lt was magnificent bey all expectation. ‘Those rich clu of glowing leaves were delicately formed of the inded me of the enchanted cavern < of gold and flowers of he delighted sen: oxt came the rals of tho army and thei chief officers, riding two abreast on gallant ch The breasts, the ekrty of their biue froe their collare, richly embi leaves; a site of their ed the hee!s of th ata, nd the seni on the back, were all od with straight wreaths of golden ad stripe of golu lace ran down each buif pauts, und gilded apurs arm- patent leather shoes. Their snddle-cloths were surrounded sy a deep border of the heaviest gold lace, having in each corner a sym- bol of the renk of the ow undod by flowers also embroidered in gold r shining patent leather bridies were prof uted with gilt wore the ordinary red , to give it the military dis m snbre girded about his Wg lines between whose the generals, didie-cloths of ments aud thow nee ty the 0 gr the fi mar Then « Pochas on their spirited / studs, who champed the bit, as 1) impatient © slow fhovement to which they were subjected. Th nostrils wore dixtended, their ears moved restles to end fre, aud fire flashed from t as they curvetted a t y bristliog nets. 1 was deligh beauty and animat Fach prot va’e brevet glattes with orders, part monds, and } paseil ¢ Next to t trendants 4 is, grooms, I pipe-beave x, who followed’ pell meli els. The Grad Viner, attended by wa increased nuiaber of bacger-on, brought the rear of the ministers. He is a keen, enanin, looking old wan, with short, slightly griesied beard and very black eyes, that restlessly turn from side to side as [f eecking for some one in the crowd. Next followed four other led horses that were expe- cial favorites of the Sultan, being permitted aearer his person than the Grand Vizier bimeelf, and be- ing, if possible, more sumpineusly decorated than those that had ge After these came the old, walking on foot in ach side of the street in this per of this showy procession marched the body guard of the Sultan, forming a hollow cquare.” Bhe breasts of their ong senrlet frock: coats were abloxe of gold lace, and their biga square caps uf the same color were sarmounted ty lofty pluanes of bird-of-paradise feathers, some three or four feet high, and shaped like the upper portion ofa helmet. Each man was armed with a largo double binded axe of silver, and in the centre of theee ylitteriag, but useless weapons, rode the Sual- tan himeeif, half concealed by the towering plumes hhisguards, Ile is a man apparently about thir- ty, althongh he ismuch younger, with'a melancho- iy, but most ple expression of countenance. is dark eye glan ed listiesaly aro as if he was ty of the uumea: ing pomp by whieh he was sur- ded; and there was a Took ut deep sadness and satiety about the man, which was sw ig in one oo young, urrounded by so many sources of reneual enjoyment. Lic short beard and mous tache are of the richest auburn, almost black; his nose is straight and well shaped, bat his bandsome- ly formed oral face is slightly pock-marked. His jerson ie slight and clegant, aud he sat his horse vith infinite grace; but there was something half- scornful in his bearing, that seemed to say f. des pivedall this glittering parade. ‘The noble horse ahich he rode in returning from the mosque moved, oe if conscious of bearing the chief of this id band, in a chort springy trot, asif he scorned to trend the earth, and “yp wi the relaxed rein tofly. Flakes of snowy his riobly jew- ciled breast, and bis eyes glanced with almost humen ieee nd swollen | | t | | | the Sultan m' | the Sultan’s horses, and his own diamonds, but the | around them, and almost all of them seem | houst «, rubies, and emeralds of unsur- | | | | | ple | alleys of mutilate t | co: limbs realized all my romantic ideas of the beauty ef the Arab stud. He was a rich sorrel, and as he at roudly by, [ thought I had never seen an; Te ronaly halt 80 a ful and beautiful. ‘The horse which he rode to the mosque I did not like so much; indeed the Sultan’s horses generally, al- though larger, were, 1 thought, much less exqui- sitely formed than th little beauties of the Pacts, 10 Sultan wi ort black coat which was confined b; clasp at the throat, but foll with unstudied eleganco from his sho » leavii exposed the breast, the cuffs, and the collar of his cout, which were covered with diamonds. He, too, wore the red cap, with a single straight poerd of the bird. radise confined by a large mond. Although Gnoke of his coat was dark, and only ornamented by the jewels, yet, sparkling daszlingly inthe sunbeams, they gave his in other respects simple costume, the appearance of the most taste- ful richness. alone, followed the chief After the Sultan, ridi: black eunuch, who was dressed in the uniform worn by the other high officers of State, with his diamond hilted sabre, and was followed by a numerous train of attendants. The rank and consideration enjoy: ed by this black functionary of doubtful gonder, is next'to that of the Grand Vizier; be precedes all the ministers on State occasions, and is entitled in processions to the place nearest the person of the Sultan. No hideous genii, or disgusting efreet, that ever poet imagined or Arab described, could compare in exaggerated ugliness with this sable chief of the Ay rem. very feature was a de- formity. The degrading state to which he had been reduced, appears to develop all the more dis- usting peculiarities of the African features. His fice was flatter, his nose broader, and his lips mach thicker than | had sy dl they could be. It seems to me, that the constant presence of se frightful 4 vuture upon the human face would produce ie nightmare, and other serioas disturbances, among the fair inmates of the harem. But ho seems more fortunate in the discharge of his deli- cate duties, and enjoys the confidence of his master toa degree that would make him a most dangerous enemy evento the Grand ior. His friendship | und influence are therefore most eagerly sought by the highest officers of the State. After this powerful personage rode other eunuchs high in office, side by side with the Turkish fnne- tionaries, who appear to feel no foolish distinction ofcolor. Then follow the multitude of government | officers, whose names and duties are unknown to other countries, but who all enjoy the high privi- leges ef attending the Sultan, and of pillaging the Suitan’s subjects. This showy procession closed, | ag it commenced, with a long fine of military offi- cers in double file. The sumo profusion of gold lace, the same red caps and buff pants were worn by all ranks, civil aud military, the only observable inction being, as I before remarked, the increas- ed magnificence of the saddle-cloths, and the jewell- ed subres of the Pachas and ministers. 1 reat similarity in uniform diminished very decidedly the pleasure of the spectacle, which would have ac- quired additional interest from a greater variety in costumes. Profound sile e reigned among the crowd, along. No cheering, no mani- ation of enthusiasm irocked him on His pies ion to the mosque. All was gaping wonder at fe: grand personage himself seemed uncared for, or for- gotten. A faint shout was raised by the soldiery, ut a signal from the drums, but neither master nor tachment—‘ this mouth honor” that ‘the poor heart would fain deny, but dare not.” Several bands were stationed at intervals along the streets —but they allowed the procession to move by them in melancholy silence, except when the rolling of id drums gave the signal for the cheers of the sol- diers. The striking contrast presented in the color of some of the Sultan’s chief officers, reminds mo of what I have often thought since | reached Constan- tinople—the complexions of the Turks. I know not why, but I had always expected to see these pirati- cal gentlemen, whose cruelties towards Christians had inspired tay boyhood with such indignant ha- d, somewhat more like Satan in color. simagined that the Turks were very dark, nthe contrary, they are very fair. And { but think, as 1 saw couple after couple of these fair fat faces file slowly by ine, how little their duil, heavy countenances indicated of that active ferocity which has always distinguished their ua- tion, “Nearly all had Koman noses, ail appeared | sleepily indifferent as to what was being done to me candidates for apoplexy, whose final success appear- ed insured by their very short necks and pursy per- sons. I have rarely seen so many men, ocoupying | distinguished positions, in whooe appesrance tece | was so little to admire. ‘The minister of war, who, by-the-bye, is now the brother-in-law of the Sultan, and was once the slave of his father, is the only handsome i them, and the only one who seemed to feel any t hat excitement that gold lace and a fine horse will produce in any mind less philo- sophical than the Turks. LECTER XXXII. Tusnes, 1319. Visi tothe Ruins of the Temple of Karndc, &- Eager to realize tho dream of years, 1 hurried at once to the ruined temple of Karnac, the pride, the | f ancient Thebes. Thebes! Its name, and the m, ous interest (hat surrounded it, were fa- miliar to my childhood; it+ sto:ed wonders sank deep into the memory of my boyish days, and in rie per years Thad followed with delighted curiosity | the enthusiastic oe er and eloquent praises of modern travellers d now { stood upon the very spot—I was gazing on all Thad so longed to | sce, and felt pained to confess, even to myself, 1 was ‘lisappomted in this crowning glory ot ‘The glowing cncomiums of others ha prep: for a glorious something t 1 did not find. unbounded admir induced m had mo tor unsurpassed loveliness in ‘Titan mould ot th It was vad to view the di neies that had so long ciuster- it capital of Egypt. it was mournful, in attaining the object of a weary pilgri- mage, to feel such bitter disappoiatment. T saw lofty propylons, covered with the defaced figures of the Egyptian priesthood, engaged in the k rites of their religion. 1 admired their may sive cornices, upon whieh were sculptured (hose mysterious symbel+ ofthe globo, the serpents, and the wings, which adorn all the eatrances to the #n- cred places of anciont gypt. 1 wandered along Sphiae ks of broken tilation, how BY seulptn overed with stiff seulpturc that had resisted the com- tful sacrifices human vietiins to their monstrous deitios—the di yout offerings of suppliant solemn tut tastic processions of privsts—aud shrines with the sac and holy things of th obeticka, rearing t -idst the shattered ruins of There ar ful forme f ‘ and ot oe far ne respect at least, the a ft sod the moderns | hiter\s All these were m heir intimate r of arts among that arrow? it ha spondent’ more Sppropriately ena in wandering amidst t Egypt. But I must write as I raion. whatever they may be, “ ferent,” such as they are, have them. Even if condemnation, classic appreciation, were staring me in the fuce, I could never give utterance to enthusiasm that I not feel, merely because it had become “fashion- is todo iting Thebes borrow, it seoms te me, the impressions and descriptions of Herodotus aud others, who wrote of the Temple of Karnac some centuries more than two thousand years ago. They appear to forget that twenty-two bundred years are something even in the history of Egyptian antiquities, and go off with a recollection of the Temple as it was, rather than as itis. A man who reads that the field of ruins at Karnac is a mile in diameter—that the dimensions of the great edifice are 1 feet in length, and 420 in breadth—that, ‘and and imposing as this princi, fane is, it inks into obscurity when compared with the ele- gance and magnificence of the surrounding build- ings—that there are avenues of gigantic inxes, miles long—that lofty gatoways of polished granite and numerou3 obelisks adorn the approaches to tho Temple—that numberless colossi keep guard over the sacred recesses, the walls and columns of which are painted in the most gorgeous colors—he, I say, who reads all this, and comes to Thebes with his imagination excited by such Klowing. descriptions, must be inevitably disappointed in the extent and the preservation of the ruins. 4 ¢ great hall measures only 170 feet by 329; but it is supported by 134 enormous columns. Taere is 8 central avenue of these mammoths of architecture, 66 feet high and 37 feet in circumference, besides 122 others in the body of the Temple, of smaller or rather less gigantic imensions, which measure 45 feet in height and 274 feet in circumference. These, and the walls of the Temple, are covered with Egyptinn ineeriptions and figures, and were o nally rich colored; but time has scarcely left a trace of tueir former brilliancy. ‘The Egyptian’s ignorance of the arch rendered this multitude of columns absolutely necessary to sustain the flat roof, which was formed by immense stones extend- ing frem one column to another. In their style there is nothing to recommend them, except their immensity—no grace, no elegance. The capi of the ie ones as nearly resemble an inverted hand- bell, of awkward constriction, as anything else 1 can think of; but those of the others resemble no- thing that I have seen in art or architecture, unless and little at the top,” bulging considerably beyond the massive bulk of the columns, and slightly taper- ing toward the top. They give the whole an ap- pearance excessively heavy and ungraceful. ‘The splendid piles of surrounding. buildings have cither vanished, or have never existed but in the imaginations of excited authors. Those statel: avenues of sphinxes, miles in extent, have shrual into irregulsr rows of headless figures, one or two hundred yards long. A square court, in one of the numerous approaches to the Temple, was originally adorned by four elegant obelisks, a single one of which, eight feet square, now rears itself ninety-two feet among the shattered ruins of its fellows. In the same approach, rather nearer the Temple, one of two others, of slighter but more graceful and beautiful proportions, is still standing, whilst its mate has been broken off about the middle, and tumbled down intoatoms. There are no gatewaysof polished granite. The colossi, stationed at the different por- tuls have been demolished with such elaborate care that few remain, even in a cruelly mutilated state, to tell what they and their fellows havo been. gorgeous coloring, which should dazzle the bi er, has faded into a few faint streaks of tarnished paint, scarcely perceivable, and often unnoticed un- til the attention was called to it. And the many figures Sods, warriors, and priests, exhibiting to the eyes of some “surpassing grace and beauty,” consist in confused crowds of strange-looking indi- viduals, inflexibly erect, who sppeer to stalk along with the stiffly measured tread of men on stilts. But whether engaged in solemn processions, in offering sacrifices before the altars, or in én their respects to their hawk and ram- ended deities, their curious costumes, their fantastic head- dresses, of lofty and the very peculiarity of gements, excite the interest and curiosity of the traveller— their very grotesqueness makes them pleasing—and a man finds himself eagerly studying their indi- vidual occupations. Upon the exterior walls of the Temple are sculp- tured those celebrated battle scenes, which rival authors have displayed their eloquence in extolling. According to the slightly imaginative, and the an- iquarians, these clumsily executed bas-reliefs re- present all sorts of stirring scenes of war and blood- | shed, as logibly and connectedly as if written out in fair Roman characters. The heroic vhief per- forms prodigies of valor—he rushes hither and thither in his war chariot—slays hostile princes, and finally puts the whole army to fight. The vanquished take refuge in a neighboring wood, wheie the conqueror sends a berald, offering them their li on condition of future obedience to his will, and the payment of tribute. The heated sovereign, during the absence of the herald, alight= from his ea awaits their answer—th is succestul, and all the fugitives make abject subm issio And, finally, the fierce her a sort of ti ium) bal procession, to give his enemies a slight evidcuee of his prowess, tucks a captive prince under each arm, and valiantly marches on with an immense number of prisoners, in lines like pieces of spitted kiiney, following in the rear. All this, properly worked up, and eloquently garnished, mukes an execedingly formilable iaplay in a book, but | am inclined t» think that few gontlemen, who are not bent on perpetrating a pedantic folly of the sort, would have the patience, even with the de- in hand, to follow the chief through all xciting mazes of the battle. There are ccr- tainly unmis:akable evidences of a fierce contest— there are really well executed horses in war-chariots yiunging through crowds of very awkward wood! joking men—there are swords aad jay abundanee—there are heaps of dead ‘and dy crowds of intensely wretche oking individuals, in chains, that are no doubt captives; but, as to the nd animation of the represe: on, said cf one of Homer's all emphaticully stutt of atte mptin; tho highly jescript And I would as soon think to unravel a spider's web as to trace inaginative and glowing description, the aye of which I have given above. Warriors are all rather exaggerate? specimens of humenity, with an arm awkwardly bung to their brouste, and another to their backs. They seem to bo altogether ¢ 4, and whon motion ie repre f the movements of a tomaton, whose hinges wor n Want of greasing. M ‘ in dwelling thus long on par- to the Thebes I had known on wns not the Thebes I found in the valley of And yet, i would not willingly convey m that’ i was not deeply interested in “hundred-gated city.” Everything, inty not beautif iy massive and im- ‘There i# food for retlection and study at Fhe mysterious picture-writing pon und obelisks, the bas-reliefs themselves, admire 2s from tute of joi nded Tuma sadly wish ut works of pee of 2 2 be truly «nic to form Che moat interesting ! sutiquity tb has loft the world De Dewuty, t thintt the tomple of inarnac is most magnificent humbug ever reared on huge mis- | shapen pill H The ruins ta ho disadvantages, without | any of the ve non vable beauty of of that hoary massiveness. so deeply impresses the must ¢ ud so citen makes him ing not rumed, but un- © wpparent want of de pped from the e ad Thebes, would much svon agine that somo aya Lod but yesterday left their work, n that this was the éurvieng relic of so many | y Yet so many 1 1 taste and science admiration—so eqnontly descanted ! the ruins of Upper ggpt, that the great mass of travellers fy to mony the suypicion of bad taste by disng Indeed, these aociont colum gigantic eaviomat into eestacios of adini “the very best watural Gta ef th. with them te respect, | es, and he therefor neumbent upon hin to. express bis enthu The same all-powerful individnal bas perhaps de scribed the beauties of the templos, and our tourist muct discure because the great m: re i coming sv deeply interceted in hi to imagine chains where the mere observer would never i them. £ know that cathusiasm gives d force to a man’s at T am ‘iqaimed at gentlemen who writ tofear ont oping fn] Ujoot they are de z newer p J upon themeelves. And our poor tonrist, without k ing or appreciating tue motives whieh pre Hie beautiful deveriptions ho ha cnlously sttermpts te ope an enthucie pted read, somewhat | om which | hae been io others the result of oirewmatances or | design. 1 jour | ouald be condemned tur my Cumdyr, | mounted by a amass ; athough greatly emailer, # t ata pe other an- ; uinong whom the arts jourished, ill wrapped in barbariem. j have never seen 1 cture that lead to the te I the aven of spbinxes, and those that remain have been eruel- 1 by the blind rage of vietorious invaders lossi were demolished during the sane invasion the Persians, yet the venerable fragments of both tell what they were, and bow grand was their cffeet when perfect. Alone in yormous pillars, my mind o the period ve had its supersvitions v4 Ou the walls, f the walls themselves, flort to destroy them, spoke worship worthy in grandeur of its temple. 1 J to myself the imposing ceremonies of ap- aching th he pomp and magnificence with which the procession of priests and worshippers moved through the long rows of its grim guardians up to the gigantic statues stationed at the portals. Awd | coud bet think bew much more powerful than pigm stationed there with his most ef fective weapons, were these colossal guardians, clothed in all the terrible attributes with which su- could invest them. | tried to paint tomy mbling awe with which the crowd mie thunder and rivances of # y pr J, were exorted to strike terror into the soul of the worshipy i was lost in conjecture in attempting to solve the gloomy mystery ef that religion which the learning of sages, the ‘power of magicians, and the cunping of charlatans had united to render fearfully sublime In order to convey to you an idea of an Egyptian temple, ] will attempt « brief description :—A long avenue of sphinxes, glaring on each side of the way, Jead to one of those “maguificent gateways which I mentioned before. lt consists of twe lofty pyramid- al towers, slightly tapering toward the top, and sur- e cornice of great clegance, and of (he portal itee'f, which is shay like the towers, is flanked on each vide by them. ‘The square surfaces of both tower: end portal are ornamented by those hoe yds paki of men enga, in the differont rites of their wow ip, aps 9 the heads of most of them have boven carefully defaced. And the cornice of the ry pes and = oe symbols ere The | it be an old-fashioned chum, “big at the bottom | The | yore grand and impres- | | present guardian and friends, she would b ] | | Fitzhardinge Berkeley, | and placed under th upon the entrance of every sacred in ue a few traces of which are still discoverable, ae side of the portal were stationed the frowning colossi, ag jians of the sanctuary of the temple; and through the gateway you entered another dou ble row o} es; then another gateway; then the spbinxes again; anda third gateway, guarded inside and out by colossi, which lead into the tem- . There are four principal entrances of this sort 0 the temple of Karnac, looking toward the pe south, east, and west; and several of the splendi gateways 3 yes , except the mutilation of their sculpture. Whata glorious effect these four princi- pal approaches must have prod: |, When at the Same time guarded and adorned by the sphinxes, the rich portals, and huge colossi!’ But now there only remains enough to tell what had been. ‘wo miles from Karnao stands, near the bank of the river, its rival, the Temple of Luxor. An avenue of sphinxes once extended from one to the other, but none of them now remain near Luxor. The gorgeous gateway of this temple is two hundred feet in length, and fifty-seven fect above the present level of the soil. In front of this once stood two of the most perfect obelisks in the world, each con- sisting of a single block of red granite, eighty feet high, and retaining in most beautiful perfoction mystic hieroglyphics with which they are adorned; one of them, strangely enough, now rears its lonely point in the midst of the Place de la Concorde, at Paris. ‘There are also two colossal statues which, although they are buried to the sheet, still measure twenty-two feet from thence to the top of their fantastic mitres. The ains of this temple are not nearly so extensive as those of Karnac, although much in the same style—the same sculptured wall, heavy pillars, and grotesque figures. At Luxor it is difficult to seo the ruins, the wretched hovels of the modern Egyptians so encumber the stately columns and mystic walls of other days. ‘The history of the past and present is veritten here. Magnificence and ruin rest side yy sido. * CONVENTUAL VOWS. The Case of Ms .:usta Talbot, in England THE CATHOLIC EXCITEMENT. ‘The English newspapers, recently have been mush occupied with the case of Miss Augusta ‘Talbot, a ward in chancery, who, at her majority, or at her marriage, will receive a fortune of eighty-five thou sand pounds sterling, or of about four hundred thou- sand dollars. She had been placed at a convent school at Taunton, by the Earl of Shrewsbury, under circumstances which will be found detailed in the history of the case. Mr. Craven Berkeley doubted the propriety of such treatment, and ac- cordingly, in the Court of Chancery, his petition on behalf of Miss Talbot has been examined, as well as other petitions. The swt in which these petitions have been pre- sented, was instituted in August, 1839, immediately after the death of George Henry Talbot, for the pur- pose of making his two children (one of whom has since died,) wards of court. The defendants were Messrs. Wright, Blount, and_Fisher, trustees of the will of the late Karl of Shrewsbury, who died in 1827, and under whose will,'in the events which hap- pened, Miss ‘Talbot will, on attaining the age of twenty-one years,or on hor marriage before that age, be entitled ‘absolutely to a sum exeecding £64,000 in stock, and to another sum of £21,000, arising from the accumulation of interest on the said stock. ‘The present Earl of Shrewsbury, the residaary le- gutee of his said uncle, and who would take these two sums absolutely in case Miss ‘Talbot died before twenty-one, and unmarried, was also a dafeudant tq the sutt, and so wore Mrs. Craven Berkeloy, the mother of the infant, and also wad her husband. Mrs. Berkeley was entitled by the settlement on her first marriage to £500 out of the interests of the £64,000. There was another suit instituted at the same time, by Horace St. Paul (a near relative of Mrs. Berkeley,) in name of the two infants, against the same defendants and Dr. Doyle, and for the same object. This latter suit was afterwards dis- missed on report of the master that the first suit was the fittest to be prosecuted. The petition presented by the Rev. Dr. Doyle and Mies ‘Talbot, prayed to the effect that the petition- cr, Augusta ‘Talbot, may be allowed, during the ab- sence of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury from England, to be placed under the care and manage- ment of such lady of proper rank, station, spectability, for the purpose of entering into society in London during the n of 1851, az may be s¢- lected for that pu’ er suid guardian, with the saxction of the said E Countess, and may be approved of by the court; that an addi- tional allowance, at the rate of £1,500 a year, or at such other rave as to his lordship should seem pro- per, may be paid out of the income of this petl- tioner’s fortune for that purpese, and may be paid to petitioner Thomas Doyle as such guardian, and applied by him for the ter enabling the peti- tioner, Augusta Talbot, to go into society during the season of 1861, and to approve of a proper sum to be allowed for that purpose ; that the allogations contained io the said petition of the said Craven so far as the same relate to the petitioner, Augusta Talbot, may be investigated in such manner and to such extent as to bis lord- ship shall seem expedient or necessary ; or that his ‘bip will be pleased to make such further or order as to his lordship shall seem meet. The other petition presented by Mr. Craven Berkeley, stated, nmong other things, that since the date of that order of court, which gave the Earl of Shrewsbury liberty to take her abroad, until very lately, he (Mr. Berkeley,) was under the impres- sion that the infant, Miss ‘Talbot, was travelling abroad with the Karl and Countess of Shrewsbury; that the Countess of Shrewsbury had exercised un- due control over her, in importuning her to marry a Frenchman named Rouchefouca who is con- marriage with the said e: nd countess. nfant having declined to accede to that threats and intimidations were resorted finally declaring tbat if she (the infant) did not fall in with her wishes, and marry the said Rouchefoucault, she should take the veil; that, accordingly, in September last, the said coun- tess, in pursuanee of her throat nt the infant back, accompanied by the Harl of Shrewsbury, to the convent at ‘Taunton, where she had previously been at echool; but this time she was not as a pupil or visiter, but as a postulant, with the ayowed ob- ject of compelling her to take the veil and become ‘a nu fant, had not duly exercised his legal autho interfered, or remonstiated with th uct, but acquiesce ing the infant, with all d.” The petition prayed d from the eure of such pe Lord Chancellor should seem meet, Lerkeley might have access to her 0 times, and that the costs of this p out of the trust funds belonging to the infar The Solicitor General proceeded to argue the case upon these petitivas, nnd contended thay Miss ‘Lalbot ehould be placed in the society of other per- ns than those she had been accustomed to, in rto ascertain her un d wishes. Ile sub- mitted that the order of the court in 1543 had been very improperly carried out, for she bad been lef at & couwent util ninete age, without residing for # single d f of the Karl and Countess of Shrewsbury, into had been given. They hid during that time, ant she onee. Dr. Doyle bad visited b Dr. Doyle asserted that he never wish to become # nun, and bad i to indw marty « British ‘subject. He againet the foreign marriage ral proceeded to argue at some length t infant was permitted to remain in the bay hat Thomas Doyle, the guardian of the in- ity, or procecdings reg. was well acquat. Mies Talbot may soot wily vi y two months. 1 Miss Talbot her to 3 face impelled to take the veil, and her property would become for feited to # convent ‘The f lowing is the to the Lord Chancellor ter written Iry Miss Talbot CHANCELLOR. MISS TALNOT'S LETTER To THE LORD My Lord.—You will, of « M {form of questi to get a lit at his departure, ing with him a it of min No opp was tinde know bow Mr. C. Bs yin “1 to the manner in which he bas + Tounton, where T have spent the happiest de and where L have expertenecd for Changing kinds how could Ere feel a juet indi My Lord. my own free and deliberate wieh m sce Mr Craven Bi sul Paneet for how could we net? But. after —compresion for eo weak and ch letter, your lordship ie at hbery to show care.” [do not feel to have srid more than T ought, 1 have spoken «trongly of Mr. €. erkeley’s conduct, tut I have not pasred the limits of truth and justices. TL must add, that every word of this letter is from myself 1 am slone while writing it; aud, therefe conn allege that I have been prompted by any one; every word is the result of my own thoughts aud ret ection © Mr. Norrie, whom [saw on Mondoy, told me ish that F should go up to town of the world Tt wil Cost me much ere are all my dearest 0 friends ; but your lordship acts for the best 1 would not, iherefure, om @uy Rogowmt, Oppore you wei and by evidence, Ho denied that the Earl and. Count- ess of Shrewsbury had attempted to force their nieeo intow areas was repugnant to her; that, failing in tha! attemph, they had sent her back te the convent with a view of compelling her to take the veil; or that the convent in question was an unfit place forthe education of ry young lady as Miss Talbot, although the charge was only £40 — Spent, But then (said Mr. Rolt) the principal of & Roman Catholic school only received £50 a-year; a bishop was satisfied with £150; and the maximum stipend of a clergyman was £80. mong other documents, the learned counsel (who did not conclude his address until Monday) put in an affidavit of Miss Jerningham, the superior of the convent at Taunton, in which that lady Sayer MISS JERNINGHAM’S AFFIDAVIT. I, Louise Jerningham, of the lodge, Taunton, in the county of Somerset, spinster, make oath, und vay. that I | am the superior at the convent, at the said lodge. and at | which there is also » school kept for young ladies, and at | which school the above-named Augusta Talbot has re- ceived her educs And I vay that in the month of September last I was applied to, and, as I best recollect and believe, through the medium of Dr. Winter, the | chaplain of the Karl of Shrewsbury, to allow the’ said | Augusta Talbot to some time as a boarder at the said convent, and that I replied, ay the fact was, that it was against the rule of the said convent to receive any young — lady there as @ boarder, or otherwise than as & postu- lant, or person who wished to make trial of a conventual life, with a view of forming an opinion respecting the same, and that I could not receive the said Augusta T: bot as a boarder, or otherwise than as a postulaat, with- out the sanction of the bishop; and I referred the said Dr. Winter to the said Bishop, Dr. Hendren; and 2 aay that I was and am under the im- pressiom that the said Dr. Hendren gave permission that the said Augusta Talbot might be received at the said convent; but that, by reason of the said rule, she should, though an inmate only be nominally a postulant. But, Leay. that I never did in fact consider, nor did the said ‘Augusta Talbot suppose, or consider, that the said Au- gusta Talbot went to the said convent as an ordinary or usual postulant, or in any other capacity than as an’ in- mate, and for a temporary purpose, though nominally, tor the reason aforesaid, asa postulant. Aad, [ say, that every person who goes to the said convent as 9 postulant, is required to urdergo, and does within a fortuight of coming, undergo certain religious ceremonies, which constitute the admission of such persons into their pos. tulancy; but, Tsay, that the said Augusta Talbot has et gone through any such religious ceremony, ever been admitted into any postulancy, aud has never been required to wear, and has never worn any dress ass postulant, or any other than a secular dress, since he so went tothe said convent. And, I say, that the said Augusta Talbot neither went, nor was sent to the said convent in September last, a3 a postulant, or with the avowed object, by compulsion or otherwise, of teking the veil and becoming a bun, or with any other object us aforesaid. Aud I further say. that I perfecily well remem ber the visit of the Hon, Craveu Fitzharnings Berkeley to the said oonvent on the Mth day of Februa- ry; and [say that the said Craven Fitzhardinge Berke- 1} did not om that occasion speak to the said Augusta Talbot, in my presence or hearing, about an: dying injunction cf her mother; nor did he as her if she was a postulant, nor did’ she reply | that she was; but he asked her if she really intended to be « nun, and that the said Augusta Talbot replied to the cflect, that there was time enough to think of that. And I further say, no mention whatever was made by the said Augusta Talbot to the effect that she had still six months’ tine before her postulancy would expire ; and I say no opposition was offered, eitber by the said Augusta Talbot or by myself, to the proposal of the said Craven Fitzhardinge Berkeley to come again and bring his little fangsee, the half sister of (he anid Augusta ‘Talbot. with him ; and I deny that I admilted to the said Craven Fitzbardinge Berkeley that the aaid infant ‘wat placed at the said convent by the said Karl, with the full intention that she should take the veil, or taat the was at that time an ordinary postulact for that pur- or totbat effect ; and [deny that the #aid Augusta albot, during the snid interview, evinced by hor maauer or appearance, or that it was the fact, that #he was not a froe agent, or that she from time to time directed anxious glances towards me before she replied tothe questions of the enid Craven Fitshardinge Berkeley, or that sho la- bored under any fear or undue restraint. or tbat it w. utterly impowible or hopeless to extract the true wishes or feelings of the ssid infant while in ny presence ; for L ray, accurding tothe best of my judgment and belief, the eaid infant, during the ‘suid interviow, spoke her mind with’ perfect freedom, and uninfluenced by me, to the said Craven Fitzbardinge Berkeley ; and I further sy, that I did not state to the suid Craven Fitzhardinge Berkeley that the said Augusta Talbot would take (he white veilin September next, or that she would take tl my A but Tsay that during the said interview the said Craven Fitzhardinge Berkeley asked me Various questions tn re- rpect of the rules of the said convent, and in particular what were the usual periods at which the black and white veil could reapectively be taken, and that I ro- plied the periods varied im different orders ; that with us (meaning at the Lodge at Taunton) thore ‘were no dxed Periods; that it wan sometimes three months: but It might x’ monthe, ora yene, or more, aud dependsd on age and circumstances, and the wishes of friends, orto that effect ; andl alse slate that a Tas, elopse between taking the white and black vell; but I rny that the saidconversation between me and the ssid Craven Fitzbardinge Berkeley took place with reference to the general rules of the said convent, acd not with reference to the raid Augusta Talbot, or with any parti cl leged or insinuated by ‘raven Fitzhardinge Berkeley; and although I thi it probable and believe that I may have said to the said Craven Fitzhardinge «Berkeley, ‘that mo young lady was admitted to the convent a second time except fs postulant,’ or to that effect, yet I have nodoubt that if | used any such phrase, I did s0 for the purpose of ex- plaining to the enid Craven Fitzhardinge Berkeley that the raid Augusta Talbot, though nominally 9 postulant hy reason of thessid rule), was, in fact, au inmate ouly nd I positively deny that I stated most unreservedly io the said Craven Fitzhardinge Berkeley that the ad Augusta Tolbot was placed at the said convent ia Sep- tember, 150, by th hi wid Karl, with the fall intoa he veil, or to that effect, or ot or that the said Augustus Talbot replicd or said thut ehe was not eligible for the black vil for 18 months and upwards, or to that effect. And [ fur- ther swy that I knew that the said Augusta Talbot was « ward of court, and that on that account | would not her to become a postulant, or to take tho rto become ® novice in the said courent attained her full age of 21 years. aniess with the special permission of the Lord Chanecior, aad that I should not have considered myself authorized so to do had Leven been asked by the said Bart of Qouates of Shrewsbury to consent thorcto, Aud I turihor say that Fdeny it'to be true that EC have exercised any kint ‘of control or influcnce over the said Augusta falbot or attempted in any way to induce her to becaine « uaa And I further ray that Ltold the raid Craven Kiceusr dinge Berk his suid visit on the Ldch of Kou rary Inet d the said Augussa Waid And 1 ray t pom my 9 saying itzhardinge 4 if the ly to becom: ly a8 not, or words when the said Craven Pitebardi F person, except with the authority of her quardiau, Dr. Doyle, or bis soli citor, ehould see the infant otherwise than ia my pre sence, or te that «fleet " With respect to the projected marriage of Miss Talbot, the Lor cellor gave the tollowieg in formation i se of Mr. Kolt’s address on Mond: V lion Towers last autwaa, there bad been a proposition for a marriage betwoea Mies Talbot and M. Koshefoucault, waoich, upon beirg brought to my knowledge, | said could only be entertained in the regular way, by moans of » reference to the Master, to inyuitw as to the pro jiicty of it. This | caused to f Ud UT iCAbe 4 to Lord Shrowsbury, and also intimated that, from the inquiries | had instituted into the umaiter, | aid pot think it was an advantageous olive. Suorlly afterwards | received a letter from Lord Shows+ bury, respecting his taking abrond a ward of the court, Bertram T and he theren ed that he bad taken m Miss Talbot that the 4 y was a step, although she had and the letter w was quite resigned yield to the will of God in preference to ihe dictates of her own feelings. I also b versution with the young Indy at Altou Tow « the offer of mur iage, and she cort cd Ho unwillingness ty aovept it, oF Lutit in any way thas it was being forced upoa by told her that I should take care that, in qease that kind, ber wishes shoul 4 be consulted, as | the power to decide upon ber marriage whi! was a ward of the court; aud, far trom inte any repugnance te she would be quite had the Vereation wit 5 He , | told bim that the © his affidavit respecting the repu; Talbot to the marriage was inco: hie asking me to guarantee hua b event of his bringing the matter before the court, | declined doing so. On Tuesday, after Mr. Parker bd concladed his arguments on bebalf of the Lark of Shrewsbury, aid the Solicitor-General (Mr. Page Wood) bot replied at considermble length, The Lord Chancellor delivered his judgment. Io De CC eaid, the eflect of this petition (of Mr Craven Berkeley) had been to bring to the knowle of & siute of things whieh called the coart the result of this petition upnccompanied altogether with age, but up mAhe whole of great wd- ventage to the ward. (A slight murmur of ap- lnuse.) He thought the court bad derived great verefit from it—he thought the ward had derived considerable beneficfrom it lordship then wont threvgh the early eircumsta’ of the case, aad cor cluded as follows When he (the Lord Chan- cellor) found that during the period between 1643 end 10 the young Indy had thought somethin, about being # nun—when be fowad that, on the bu ob, br. Doyle was aware that, from eirewm- cea that had ocourred, the idea of her becoming # pin Wasp naeing through her mind, and that, above all, it hed passed through her mind, and that she Was Wavern g at that moment, considering that she ® vase young lady botwoen cightoon aud ainoteea, were overcome, ht the court hada righS ht, under a stancees, that she could not safely remain and that Dr. Doyle ought to have gi more information when first he heard of Tests short aplained, Mr. Sesnelon bat and that bad passed between lady and the Late £ baa ‘hich ledto the tion on his part. Without imputing any either party to deceive, quite enough occusion to lead Mr. Berkeley to suppose tl lady was in the convent as @ postulant, thought Mr. Berkeley performed a worthy service in the course he had taken. When he looked to what the Lady Abbess said, and what Mr. Berkeley said, as to what passed at the convent, and com— red the one statement with the other, he thought Mr Berkeley was led to the conclusion that the em 4 lady was there as a postulant, and he did not it Was an unreasonable conclusion. How did it pear she was there? She was not there as an td or usual postulant, but she was there nally as apostulant. But she was never there be- lieving herself to be an ordinary postulant. Posta- lants bad to undergo certain religious ceremonios im order to prepare for taking the veil; they were re- quired to change their dress, and assume some: conformable to the particular order of the particular convent, and it was said that this young lady was received not as a postulant but as a boarder, an@ that she never underwent the religious cerem: nd never changed her dress. Now, in that state of things, what was the conclusion? That at whiok he bad arrived was this: that this tar J lady was received there as 4 boarder, but that she wae re- ceived there contrary to the rules of the oovvemt, and was passed off as a postulant. Ho should have been better pleased if the Lady Abbess had made a statement calculated to prevent any wrong con clusion. Whether she was apprehensive of incur ring any ecclesiastical censure, and therefore shroud- ed her statement in ambiguous language, leaving it to be taken one way or the other, or what was the reason for her language, he did not know; but, there being uo evid ‘of Lord Shrewsbury ever having placed this young lady in the convent as @ postulaut, he saw no reason to impute to him any such conduct. But he thought Dr. Doyle wae remiss in a proper discharge of his duty. Dr. Doyle was the testamontary guardi He stood in the place of the lady’s fathor— the man seleeted by She garenta of the child; and the court never removed such persons on grounds made out to its satisfaction to be Ct reulered it the interest of the ward that the guar- dian should be removed. What he (the Chancellor) now looked to, therefore, was this: the young lady was in London, she was undor the care of a lady, and he apprehended would never again be out of the power of the court until she attained her majority. What remained for Dr. Doyle bably was uot of very much importance; but at the same time, as having bad the confidence of her pa- rents as a gentleman to whom, although be vom sidered him remiss in his ee he could impute ne bad motives, he (the Lord Chancellor), althor he felt bound abe? to express the opinion had stated, did not think the interests of the ward required that he should be removed. The bar had one and all agreed in that; but he could not fail te eny that a very high contempt of the authority of that court would have been committed, by allowing a ward of that court either to become a postulaat, or to tuko any other step calculated to bind ite future life to any particular course. He betiove® that over since the statute of Westminster, it had been a very high offence to a ward of court take the veil—an offem liable to indictment, heavy forfeiture, and imprisonment. That statute continued. If « wnrriage were contracted without the approbation of the court, it was a contempt of the court; @ forty ort, much more so was it to make persons devote themselves to a religious life, becauso mai was consistent with persons retaining their ordinary position in life; but taking the veil was so serious a change, that to allow a person not arrived at the age of maturity to bind its future life, not probably by actual! vows, but by some influenee or other more cogent than physical force, was a much ia a fence, and he (the Lord Chancellor) that he should have no hositation, and should feel it his duty, to commit Mace, priosts, govornesses, cler- gymen, or any on» else who should be connected Sith such a transaction, and, in so doing, he shoal be acting in strict conformity with the practice of the court and his duty. Ho would be doing ine greatest injury to deprive the children of oar Mo- man Catholic fellow-subjects of tho protection of that court, equally with that of every other class; nor should it be su od that it was any part of the duty of that court to interfere with the relzious sentiments of a ward, and to make any attempt te withdraw the ward from that faith in which the parent desired it should be brought up. The effeot of such a course would be to deprive Catholic ohil- dren of the protection of that court. It was equally part of the duty of that court to prevent persons in- terfering with tho religious faith of its wards; and it would equally deprive Catholic children of the protection of that court if thore children were per- mitted lo take the ved, or to bind thomselves dircotl, or indireetly v0 todo. Now, he was asked by this petition, not in the particular prayer, but undor the prayer for geveral relief, that Mr. Korkeloy might attend the Master while prosecuting the order unt Dr. Doyle's petition; he was asked also that Mr. Berkeley might have access to the ward; also to eus- rend Dr. Loyle from bis office of guardian, and that r. Berkeley might have his costs. Ifhe decided it on this petition nloue, and on the answer it had received, heshould say the petition ougit to be dismissed with costs. There wasno evidence to support it; it com tained matter highly and deeply retlective on other parties, aud be (ihe Lord Chancellor) was satisfied untound fact. But be repeated, it bad been the means of rendering a worthy service to the court and to the ward. He, therefore, did not feel that he ought to make Mr, Berkeley pay the costs of having elicited an inquiry which be thought was attended with so much benefit. With respocs, therefore, to Mr. Borkeloy's costs, ho only regretted that the case had been encumbered with much mat- ter not properly belonging to it. He thought, there fore, he ought to allow Mr. Borkeley his costa. As to Mr. Borkeley's attending the Master, he saw ne necessity for that. Mr, Verkeley’s situation and circumstances were not those « seoring any peculiar koowlec Ff $ : i ii : i ee E 5 te the cavantage of the Rt revedings. On the con tran, fo \honght from allthat bad passed, that Me Berkoley" danee there would lead to coutests in tho D nding tu the benotit of the word therefore, did not appear to hi that M erkeley should be allowed to attend is the proscention of that order. He thought he could rely that Dir. Dayle was not likely to present scoemme inconsistent with the benefit of the ward. Jie thought that, notwithstaudimg what had oo curred, he might safely aud properly rely on hie not doing that; aud he (the Mord Chancellor, would aloo have the protection of the Master, vc ald beve to form lis own judgment of the ease With respect to the aovess of Mr. Berkeley to the we o,be did not think a young lady approachi twonty years of age was to be treated as ae ar sat sho was likely t ’ Berke 1s from Mr his mpps ! ' the young lady's own ine wld be in a stuation in whieh, if ay porsom hea to have access to her, upon a reasonable by piceltan, che could assent to see euch pereon it bie to her. That was» matter soon settled, bot the young Indy must herself be consulted, The ender would be in the swing term:—Mr Berke he titiun distis n order oa Dr. Doyte’s prtilion—coste of both to be paid out of the estate; ence Master to approve of a scheme for + of the yonog lady. His Lord- end, thet although the order h all ee eet ircumstanoes, he coul MeLeas oxy tar Prarrive Stave Law « charge tothe jury, at Coluinbas, Ohio, oa inst., Judge McLean, among other remacka, yatuleted the jury that no vieiation or infra ‘of the law relating to the reclamasion of fi ci service hadtaxen place withia this State, irked that this fact spoke well for the char- the citizens of Obie. [le trusted uo forei- oe with the r emeuts oF Operation sw would at any time be ¢: ited withia this State. If the law were objectionable, lot it be remedied by the ballot box.” Forcible resistance should not be countenanced. It should be prompuly dischuraged aud frowned down. Such a mi redress hue no sanction, and can have no sanction from the institutions or morals of the country. It tends alike to the subver: f all order, and the destiuction of all the secur of our social exist- ence. Tun Rivers ov Tresas.—Strong efforts are now wating tp mene navigable the rivers of besterm exag. as. The Trinity and Angelina rirors are the principal, and when they are opened, will afford the woans ef an imm of prodnee to the sa ports. ‘Tho pee sand other coun- ties, through wivea these rivers course, 4 about the werk in earnest, and several meetings have alrendy been hold with the view to the con- sumanation of the much desired objeot arkot advices by the steamship Pacific, were oo the wame dey to co thay atvived Liverpool and