Punch (100.1891)

January 17, 1891.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

35

THE SHAH (LEFEVRE) AND THE SULTAN.

ter a series of weeks preceding Christ-
mas, Europe was disturbed by rumours
of a momentous interview reported to
have taken place on the banks of the
unsuspecting Bosphorus. One of the
parties to the conference was his
Imperial Majesty the Sultan. The
other was an English Statesman, the
trusted counsellor of an Ex-Premier,
and believed in family circles to be the
real author of some of his Bupreme
measures. The naturally retiring dis-
position of the Statesman in question,
and his inviolable reticence in respect
of any matter concerning himself, made
it difficult to arrive at the truth. Doubtless the stupendous event—the possible
consequences of which on European affairs Time will work out—would have
remained for ever hidden but for the ruthless action of " the London Correspon-
dents of various provincial papers, who gave in their London letters more or less
inaccurate reports of the event." How they came to know anything about it
admits of only one conclusion. The Sultan must have told them. The event
was too important to be left to this haphazard kind of record, and, accordingly,
the Speaker has been favoured with a narrative of what took place, the signature
disclosing the fact that the other party to the interview was the Shah Lefevbe.

The Shah's account, regarded as a record of a historical event, is manifestly
hampered by that modest and insatiable desire for self-effacement which marks
this eminent man. We see anonymous "persons who had access to the Sultan
approaching" the Shah, and "suggesting to him that he ought to apply for
an audience." We see him "declining to do so on the ground that, having taken
an active part in the agitation in England on the subject of the Bulgarian
atrocities in 1877, it would not be right that I should thrust myself on the
attention of the Sultan." It is generally thought at Stamboul and elsewhere
that Mr. Gladstone was chiefly responsible for the memorable agitation referred
to. But the Shah is not the man to hide the truth. Also, "I wished to be
free to *ay what I thought about the condition of Tuikey on my return to
England." That was only fair to waiting England. No use the Sultan trying
to " nobble" this relentless man. So it came to pass that he went to the Palace,
reluctant, but "feeling we could not refuse such a command from the Sovereign
of the country." He talked with Chaste Pacha and Wahan Effendi ; saw
the Sultan's horse ; hung about for hours ; no Sultan appeared ; went back to
hotel quivering under the insult. Had framed telegram ordering the British
Fleet to the Bosphorus, when Yahbeby turned up, pale and trembling ; besought
the shah to do nothing rash ; explained it was all a mistake. This followed up
by invitation to dine at the Palace the following day.

All this, and what followed at the dinner; how there were " excellent wines,
electric lights, and a great display of plate"; how the Sultan, concentrating
his attention on the Shah, and forgetful of poor Frederick Harrison, who had,
somehow, been elbowed into obscurity, paid court to this powerful personality ;
how he received him on the dais, and how cunningly, though ineffectually, he
endeavoured to secure on the spot the evacuation of Egypt, is told in the Shah's
delicious narrative.

Mr. Punch, sharing in the thrilling interest this disclosure has created
throughout the civilised world, has been anxious to complete the record by
supplementing the Shah's account of the interview, with the Sultan's own

version. This was, at the outset, difficult. Obstacles were thrown in the way, Accident on the Ice.—The other day a gentleman,
but they were overcome by the pertinacity and ingenuity of Our Representa- j well known in the world of Sport and Art, was skating
I^'Jc° at la&t *otlI1<* himself seated with the Sultan on the very dais from | on the Serpentine, and fell in with a friend. Both were
which Shah Lefevbe had conferred with his Imperial Majesty whilst other of j getting on well when our reporter left.

the forty guests, "including the Austrian Ambassador,"
looked on, green with envy.

"It's a curious thing," said the Sultan, laying down
a book he had been reading when Our Representative
entered, "that, when you were announced, I had just
come upon a reference by your great Poet to your still
greater Statesman. You know the line in Lockandkey
Hall —

"'Oh the dreary, drear Lefevbe! Oh the barren, barren
Shaw! ' "

"That," Our E-epresentative writes, "is not precisely
the line as I remember it; but I make it a rule never to
correct a Sultan."

Accordingly His Majesty proceeded: "And so, my
good Cousin, Mr. Punch, wants to know all about this
interview, the bruit of which has shaken the Universe.
His wishes are commands to me. In the first place, I
will tell you (though this is not for publication), that it
was by the merest accident I had the advantage of
knowing your great countryman. I heard there had
come to Constantinople one Frederick Harbison, head
of a sect called the Positivists. I am, you know, in my
way, and within the limits of my kingdom, one of the
most absolute Positivists of the age. I wanted to see
the English apostle, and told them to ask him to dinner.
Somehow things got mixed up, and, at the preliminary
morning call, the Shah Lefeyre walked in. Had never
heard of him before, but gathered from Chakie Pacha,
who had been talking to Wahan Effendi, who, had seen
Woods Pacha, who had spent an hour with Yambeby,
upon whom Shah Lefeyre had called, that the Shah
was really the mainspring of the Liberal Party in Eng-
land, Gladstone being merely figure-head, Habcouet
in his pay, and Chambeblain suffering in exile under
his displeasure. Allah is Good! Here was a chance
thrown into my hands. I forgot all about Fbedebick
Harbison; told Chaste Pacha and Wahan Effendi
to entertain the Shah in the ante-chamber with coffee
and cigarettes, drawing him out on Armenia and Egypt.
Meanwhile I crept under the sofa, and heard every word.
The Shah very stern about Armenia, could not be
drawn about Egypt. At end of hour and half began to
get tired under sofa; managed to stick in Wahan
Effendi's Wellington boot a note, on which I had
written, 'Take him to see my horse.' So they went off
to stable, and, as soon as coast was clear, I crept out;
shut myself up in room for rest of day. Heard after-
wards that they came back, the Shah much impressed with
appearance of my horse; resumed conversation on Armenia
and Egypt for another hour; at last got rid of Shah.

"At night Yambeby, disguised as melon-seller,
entered Palace and gained access to my room. Told me
fearful mess had been made of matters. The Shah really
didn't care about seeing the horse ; wanted to see me.
Talks about ordering round the Fleet. ' Better ask him
to dinner,' said Yambery; so despatched Grand Cham-
berlain in carriage and six. The Shah mollified ; gave
him a good dinner : plenty of electric lights. Afterwards
he was good enough to see me on the dais. Tried to get
bim to promise alteration in attitude of English Liberal
Party towards me ; also wanted him to settle at once
withdrawal of troops from Egypt. But, though most
urbane in manner, exceedingly cautious. Not to be
drawn. Talk about Eastern statecraft! nothing to you
English, as represented by your Shah Lffeybes. When
I pressed him to come to point about Egypt, he said, 1 On
this subject I can only speak my own views. I am not
authorised to speak on behalf of those I am politically
associated with, but personally I am opposed to the
occupation of Egypt by English troops.' There's an
answer for you! Your Machiavellis, your Talleyeands
not in it. Felt I had wasted some time, and given away
a dinner all for nothing, except the memory that will
ever rest with me of having been privileged to see this
remarkable man standing on my dais."

Here the Sultan clapped his hands three times, and
Our Representative, being carefully placed in a sack,
was dropped into the Bosphorus, whence he was rescued
in time to send off this despatch for publication in the
current Number.