Republican Herald

EXTRACTS FROM ENGLISH PAPERS.

Administration of Justice in Turkey.—A few days ago a man was brought before the Seraskier Pacha, charged by a Turkish lady with having robbed her of a quantity of jewels, and he, without stating any particulars, insisted upon it that she had herself voluntarily given them to him, upon the strength of his silence as to their previous acquaintance. This she denied, and it was not without a world of trouble that the following facts were elicited:—It would appear that the lady had been to the Charksee, and having bought a pair of slippers, the kavaf, or slipper merchant, refused to receive the money for them from so beautiful a woman, assured her that everything in his shop was at her disposal, and he himself her slave. In fine, he was handsome, and said so many tender things in so irresistible a manner, that the lady consented to pay him a visit at his own house, into which she glided with much secrecy, the kavaf's mother being absent in the country. They were so charmed with each other's society, that she consented to prolong her visit towards evening, and he went out to procure eatables at a Bakkal's; he shut the door after him, and placed the key in his pocket. While making his purchases he was applied to for the payment of a debt, arrested, and dragged off to prison, where he had been lying for some hours, cursing the cruelty of fortune, when one of his craft passing, entered the prison to see which of the kavafs was in durance.—They were well acquainted, and the prisoner placing the key of his house in the hands of his friend, requested him to liberate a female whom he would find there. The visitor promised to be discreet, opened the door, when who should be discovered but his own wife! She professed this was her first offence, desired him to divorce her, and on condition that he kept the affair secret, she offered to give up to him her jewels.—The bargain was closed accordingly, the act of divorce was gone through, and the man walked off with the jewels. The lady, however, still more attached to her trinkets than to her reputation, followed him, and had him taken up on the charge stated. Finally, the truth was brought to light, and the Seraskier gave his decision thus :
'The ex-husband having confessed the truth, had broken his condition as to silence, and consequently was not entitled to the jewels, which were made over to the lady to cover the stain on her reputation.' The Sultan himself inquired into the case, and was much amused at the relation of it by the Seraskier, who, when he likes, is the best buffoon in the empire.—Constantinople Correspondent of a morning paper.