The beautiful engraving here presented to the reader represents the Sultan Abdul Medjid, and Mehmed, his grand vizier, holding a divan of public affairs. The sovereign is dressed in the European costume, introduced by his father Mahmoud, and is only distinguished as a Turk by the “fez” or red cap on his head. This attire, the precursor of mighty changes in his decaying empire, forms a singular and interesting contrast to the flowing habiliments of his unreforming minister. The Sultan’s general costume also approaches the European, and its adoption was not too trifling a circumstance to alter the manners and destinies of the whole Turkish empire. It led to the entire destruction of the once formidable Janissaries, and changed the aspect and habits of the city of Constantinople, so as to make its former features scarcely recognisable to those who had visited it but a few years before.
The Illustrated London News, London, England, Week Ending October 8, 1842
