The Sultan has dismissed his Grand Vizier, Said Pasha, it
is believed for being too compliant to Russia in the matter of the war indemnity. His successor is Ahdurrahman Pasha, who has governed one or two provinces with success, who is a Turk of the old school, and who, it is said, speaks no European language. His appointment is supposed to indicate the desire of the Sultan to govern as the chief Mussulman Prince rather
than as a C1N limed Sovereign, but may indicate only his desire to keep power in his own hands. Abdul Hamid is hampered by his own suspiciousness. He must be a decidedly able diploma- tist, but he is never able to hit upon the right agents. If he finds able men, as has happened once or twice, they want more independence than he is willing to allow, while inferior men cannot carry out his frequently very subtle policy. The Sultan could govern for himself, and does so in great affairs ; but his dignity will not allow him to show himself like a Minister, while he is quite incapable of the necessary continuous labour over details. He wants clerks of genius, and, like other monarchs, cannot find them. Khaireddin Pasha would have been perfect, but he would not stay clerk.
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