That the primary object of the page system was educational appears from all contemporary observations. Not merely are their palaces termed “places for nourishing youths,”[207] but Menavino calls the place where he was taught “the palace school.”[208] Another writer gives chapters on “The Education of Young Men in the Seraglio,” and “The Studies and Learning in the Seraglio,”[209] and speaks of the young men as “designed for the great offices of the empire.” Another says, “And the said emperor does this good for the profit of his soul, and when they are grown up he takes them from there and gives them dignities and offices, according as it seems to the emperor they have deserved.”[210] Some of the pages were the personal servants of the sultan, and a band of thirty-nine constituted his gentlemen of the bedchamber, or _Khas Oda_.[211] These were the élite of all, chosen by selection after selection; and, though young, they ranked very high in the system. Since only a few of all the pages could attain to this honor, the remainder were at school for outside service.[212] Besides many less direct descriptions of the course of training, two exist which are derived from men who passed through the palace school. Menavino tells his own story;[213] and Ricaut records what he learned from a Polish captive who had spent nineteen years in the sultan’s service and had reached high position.[214] Although these accounts were written one hundred and fifty years apart, they agree in essentials. Menavino does not refer to the physical training in arms and horsemanship; but at the time of his escape he showed himself, if not a courageous, yet an accomplished horseman. Postel, some twenty years after Menavino’s time, describes this training in some detail. He probably had his information from a French page named Cabazolles, whom he quotes as authority on one point.[215] The pages were trained in the art of war, the use of all sorts of arms, and good horsemanship.[216] Suleiman took especial delight in watching their cavalry evolutions, and occasionally summoned a page who pleased him, conversed with him, and dismissed him with presents.[217] Also, by old Oriental custom, every page was taught some handicraft useful in his master’s service, and, no doubt, intended to provide for his own support in case of need.[218]