bary States
to preach the doctrine of his own Caliphal authority to the Moslems _in
partibus infidelium_. His language, too, to strangers from external
Islam was from the first that of a spiritual rather than a temporal
prince, and with the European Ambassadors he has used this position
consistently and most effectually.

It is no mean proof of Abd el Hamid's ability that he should have
invented the Mussulman _non possumus_ with which he has disconcerted our
diplomacy. In private life he is said to be regular at his prayers,
though it is also said that he conforms to the custom of Turkish Sultans
in avoiding legal marriage. He is at the same time a liberal patron of
dervishes, workers of miracles, and holy men. These he is at pains to
seek out and receive honourably. In his administration he conforms,
wherever he is himself the actor, strictly to the Sheriat, and on
doubtful points consults always the mufti or Sheykh el Islam. He has
shown no inconsiderable firmness in resisting European demands when they
contravened the canon law.[13]

For all these reasons it will be readily understood that Abd el Hamid
has gained not only the support of his own Turkish Ulema, but the
sympathy of a very considerable section of opinion outside his
dominions. From a traitor to the cause of religion the Ottoman Sultan
has come to be looked upon, east and west, as once more its champion;
and with the old-fashioned reactionary school Abd el Hamid is fast
growing into a hero. A year ago, when I was at Jeddah, this was not yet
the case, but it would seem to be so now. Then even the people of his
own party spoke of him doubtfully, and he certainly excited no
enthusiasm among them. They did not understand him, and thought that he
was playing a part. He was said to be of Armenian parentage (on his
mother's side) and his sincerity as a Moslem was suspected. It seemed
impossible one born in Abd el Mejid's Seraglio should be a serious man.
Besides, he had not yet shown his strength, and to be strong is to be a
hero everywhere.

But within the last eight months, events have marched rapidly. Abd el
Hamid has played his cards successfully in Greece, in Albania, and with
the Kurds. He has not been afraid of England and has shown a bold front
against infidel reforms. He has had the courage under the eyes of Europe
to arrest their _protege_, Midhat, and to try him for murder. Lastly,
the French have played into his hands in Tunis, and he has thus gai