It is clear that the grand vizier fully deserved the name of burden-bearer. Whereas even so earnest a sovereign as Suleiman appears to have had a sufficiently leisurely life in time of peace, in spite of his great responsibilities as head of a despotic government,[559] his grand viziers must have been kept fully occupied. He that has been called the greatest of all viziers, the _Nizam al-mulk_, spoke out of his experience when he said: “It is necessary that the sovereign consider with his vizier affairs of state and all that concerns the army, the finances and general prosperity. He must needs give attention to the measures which should be taken against the enemies of the empire and everything that relates to the subject. All these matters give rise to a great many annoyances and preoccupations and put the spirit to torture, for they do not leave a single instant of repose.”[560] The grand vizier represented the sultan as head of the civil and military administration and as supreme judge.[561] He appointed the highest officials in these departments. He presided over long sessions of the Divan four days in the week. Some of his other duties, cares, and obligatory ceremonies appear in the catalogue of his ten special prerogatives:[562]— 1. He had the care of the imperial seal, with which, on the days of the Divan, the doors of the treasury and chancery were sealed. The delivery of the seal was the symbol of investiture with the office of grand vizier. 2. He might hold a Divan of his own at his palace in the afternoon. This was an important session of court at which many cases, both great and small, were decided.[563] 3. He had the right to be escorted by the _Chaush-bashi_ and all the _Chaushes_ from his palace to and from the sultan’s palace. 4. He received visits of state from the _Kaziaskers_ and _Defterdars_ every Wednesday. 5. He was honored by the appearance of the officers of the imperial stirrup every Monday in the Divan. 6. He went in solemn procession on Friday to the mosque, escorted by the _Chaushes_, the _Muteferrika_, and others of the outside service in turbans of ceremony. 7. He received a weekly visit from the _Agha_ of the Janissaries, and a monthly visit from the other viziers. 8. He inspected the city of Constantinople and its markets, escorted by the judge of Constantinople, the _Agha_ of the Janissaries, the provost of the markets, and the prefect of the city. 9. He received a weekly visit of state from various magistrates and _Sanjak Beys_. 10. He was honored at the two Bairams with official felicitations from the other viziers, the _Defterdars_, the _Beys_, the magistrates, and the generals of the army.