PLATE X.
A P A G E
t PE THE GRAND ;SJLQ;$IOR.
T he Pages of the Soltaja, who hold a muqh more important office,
than is to.be inferred from what we mean by the same name, at
least they often arrive at the most important dignities, are appointed
in a very peculiar manner.
There is, in the large suburb of Constantinople called Pera, an
extensive building or palace, in whieh a considerable number <^f boys
are maintained at the expense of the government. These are called
Ichlogans. ''-Erom' this body are the pages chosen. They are-here
attended'by rCodjas, or masters, .who teach them thé Turkish, Per-
,®a»j languages, and the art of writing. Some of them
ate also' instructed in various other accomplishments, and in those
offices feat are required of them* when" they-sSaQ? be employed
I t t e p t p e r s o n . ’ Many o f them; however, are brought
up‘for fee inferior situations'of the Seraglio 5 these are called Adjethr
Oglan. -Most of-'them are the children of Christian captives» and'
Ifeey are very carefully iristructediri the precepts of the Koran." \
: The Ichlogans, who-have made, the'best use of-their time,’ and
Who appear to possess fee mostabilitiés, are admitted in .the number
of'pages;, th ey then rise' in- secession, and often occupy "the most
important offices in the seraglio:'"and>y'fee favour offfeeir Sultan^
and-the presents they often receive from those, whose interest they
espouse, sometimes hecoine very iic h ,^ p