The Earl of DURHAM has been received at Constantinople with
'unusual ceremony and respect. He was formally presented to the Sultan on the 11th of September, at the hour declared by the astrologers to be auspicious. The correspondent of the Times gives the following account of what took place.
"Nothing had been omitted on the part of the Turks which could contribute to the brilliancy of this audience, or add to the cordiality of the reception. The Ministers of the Porte, the Paellas, Sheikh Islam, and the grandees of the empire, were placed in rank on each side of the Sultan's throne. Lord Durham addressed his Highness in a speech of some length, and took upon himself to depart from the rota followed on similar occasions, and to express his thoughts in a language which did not admit of ambilogy. His words, no less than the impressive and earnest tone in which he uttered them, appeared to produce a deep sensation on the Sultan. His Highness replied, that he received with pe- culiar satisfaction the assurance that the British Government was alive to the identity of interests existing between Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire; that he had long hoped to see the union naturally binding both nations acquire the degree of intimacy which reciprocal advantages loudly called for; and that he trusted the day was not distant when this, the foremost of his wishes, would be fully realized.
" The Sultan addressed Lord Durham in the most courtly and affable man- ner, and expressed his regret on hearing that the shortness of his stay at Con- stantinople would deprive him of the pleasure of placing at his disposal the means of gratifying his curiosity. Lord Durham very adroitly replied, that the remarkable changes which his Highness had wrought in the military institu- tions of his people, the important innovations he had introduced in their man- neys, dress, and opinions, and the establishments he had formed for the diffusion of instruction, attracted so powerfully his attention, that he had forgotten there existed at Constantinople other objects worthy of a stranger's notice. Sultan Mahmoud, in whose character vanity is predominant, could hardly conceal the satisfaction this observation gave him. He directed Achmet Pasha and the Capitan Pasha to accompany his Lordship, on the following day, wherever he might express his wish of going."
On the next day, Lord DURHAM visited NAMIK PASHA at the Admiralty. He was introduced by NAM1K IO TAH1R PASHA, the most distinguished of the Turkish Admirals, who invited him on board his ship, the Mahmoudieh.
" His Lordship visited this truly magnificent ship, and profited of this op- portunity to express his satisfaction on observing the rapid progress the Turkish navy had made under the present Admiral's auspices, and to point out the im- portance of a naval power to a country having so great an extent of coast as Turkey. During the dejeuner to which he hail been invited, his Lordship rose, and after proposing Tahir Pasha's (the Turkish Nelson's) health, gave out a regular speech. After alluding to the untoward event' of Nevem°, and comparing the present Turkish fleet to the phcenix, &c. his Lordship ter- minated, by expressing his persuasion that in future, instead of meeting as enemies, the fleets of England and Turkey would coalesce as allies, and emulate in the display of valour and skill, not as once against one another, but against their foes. In answer to this speech the Capitan Pasha roared out Amen.' "
His Lordship also inspected the Polytechnic School and the barracks near Scutari.
" The good order and cleanliness existing in this place are remarkable. A regiment of infantry and three squadrons of cavalry were ordered out on the plain of Haydar Pasha, and went through various evolutio ns in his Lordship's presence. It was almost dark before Lord Durham left Scutari to return to Therapia. Both Pashas accompanied him as far as Emir-Ghian, where they landed, to assist at the entertainment the Seraskier had prepared on that even- ing for the Prince of Servia.
"On the 13th, both Pashas waited on Lord Durham on board the Barham. On their arrival, salutes were fired by this frigate and theVolage, and both ships remained dressed during their stay on board. On their leaving, fresh salutes were fired. In the evening of the 13th, a ball was given by the Russian Minister at Parjudere, in compliment to Lord Durham. Out of twenty Pashas to whom invitations had been sent, one only, Namik Pasha, made his appearance. This circumstance is said to have vexed very much M. Boutenieff, and to have been declared by him a rude and insolent act on the part of the Turks."
On the 13th, Lord DURHAM sailed in the Pluto; and was sa- luted on passing by the guns of a Russian frigate, the Barham returning the compliment for his Lordship.
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