The Dream-God, or, A Singular Evolvement of Thought in Sleep — John Shaqi
The Dream-God, or, A Singular Evolvement of Thought in SleepCuningham, John
Philosophy
The Dream-God, or, A Singular Evolvement of Thought in Sleep
Cuningham, John
Dreams; Morphine
The winged adventurers of a night recross from Asia to Europe, traverse
the famed Bosphorus, and reaching Constantinople, alight for a moment,
each on a minaret of the mosque, (formerly church of St. Sophia,) the
grandest temple to Mahomet and of the Turks. The view was grand, novel
and crowded with objects and memorials. It was the most noted point on
the line between the East and the West, and there were the remembrances
and insignia of both. These philosophic observers had carefully
noticed, of late, the influences and traces of men and events, systems
and creeds, times and powers, from Alexander the Great, in his primary
institution of commerce and in its mighty effects, down to the
condition produced by the late struggle by Turkey, France and England
on one side, against the aggressions of Russia and Northern hordes on
the other.
With their usual facility they next visit the palace of the Sultan.
Their presence surprised, but its character was deferred to and
welcomed. Turkish hospitality and courtesy are genial, when once
enlisted. The Grand Vizier himself directed their entertainment near
the person of his Majesty of the Crescent. In a stoical manner,
but with liberal temper, they discussed with the guests matters of
religion, government, social customs, moral subtleties and modern
developments and tendencies. The preconceived ideas and prejudices of
the American were greatly modified. The former Turk and Mohammedan of
haughty bigotry, fierceness and the sword, had subsided into tolerance
for the Christian, amity with the European, and deference to the
civilization, learning and powers of the Caucasian race. Once the chief
guardian and lookout on the ramparts of the ignorance, despotism and
superstitions of the East, he now would open its portals to the more
active spirit and mightier enlightenment of the West. All this was
elicited and defined in the harmonious discussions that interluded the
ceremonial observances.
The suite of apartments allotted to females in the larger
dwelling-houses of the East (called the Harem) is a portion sacred
to them and the head of the family, and forbidden to other masculine
intrusion. But, for the winged spirits, there was no objection to
their admittance to even the imperial Seraglio. Upon the invitation of
the Sultan, who led the way, they retired with him into the delicious
abode of the Sultanas and lady favorites of that mysterious Court.
Here for the first time gallantry so inspired the American that he
bowed, kneeled--yes, salaam-ed! This choice collection of beautiful
women, selected from beauties of different climes, and from races of
the higher types, presented every species of female loveliness in
form, feature and complexion. The Circassian prevailed in numbers and
attractions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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