Grand Seignior in the Military Costume of Turkey, 1818, Paper

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This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. from Drawings made on the … Read more This print is from 'The Military Costume of Turkey. Illustrated by A Series of Engravings. from Drawings made on the Spot. Dedicated by Permission to His Excellency the Minister of the Ottoman Porte to his Britannic Majesty.' London, Published by Thomas M'Lean, Haymarket, (1818). Folio. One of 29 fine handcoloured aquatint plates . Very light offsetting from plate. The original accompanying text of this print is as follows: 'Nearly all the posts of honour and profit under the Turkish Government are filled by such as have received their education in the college at Pera. To this place boys are forwarded by the Pachas of the different provinces as presents to the Grand Seignior, who, after receiving proofs of their advancement, employs them in or about the Seraglio. Their progressive official duties are performed by being pages or attendants in the three chambers, after which they are employed about the person of the Sultan, and are subsequently elevated by their superior merits, favouritism, or intrigue. The ties of consanguinity being entirely removed, advancement to the notice of the Sultan depends chiefly on chances, in which real merit has frequently little concern; but such is the policy of the Turkish Court. He who was once a slave, may by an influence where it should not be permitted to exist, become master of the treasures and destiny of the Ottoman Empire.' The paper is watermarked "J WHATMAN 1817". See less