The present state of the Ottoman Empire containing the maxims of the Turkish politie, the most material points of the Mahometan religion, their sects and heresies, their convents and religious votaries, their military discipline ... : illustrated with divers pieces of sculpture, representing the variety of habits amongst the Turks, in three books / by Paul Rycaut Esq. ...

Of the Eunuchs.

THis libidinous flame of depraved nature, is so common a disease a∣mongst the Turks, and so ancient a Vice, that both for state and prevention of this unnatural crime, it hath not been esteemed safe or orderly in the Courts of Eastern Princes to constitute others for the Principal Officers of their Houshold then Eunuchs: the like is obser∣ved in the Seraglio of the Grand Signior where two Eunuchs especi∣ally have the Principal Command, and are persons of the highest and eminentest esteem, viz. the Kuzlir-Agase, who is superintendent over the Women, and is a Black Eunuch;

[illustration]

Kuzlir Aga or Black Eunuch of the women

The other is Capa Agasi, or Master of the gate, who is White, and commands all the Pages and White Eunuchs residing in the Court; Under him are all the Officers that are Eunuchs; as first the Haz Oda∣baschi or Lord Chamberlain, who commands the Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber.

2. The Serai Kiahaiasi, Lord Steward of the houshold, who over∣sees the Chambers of the Pages, and the Seferli odasi, or the Cham∣bers of those Pages who are designed to follow the Grand Signior up∣on any journey, and of these he hath care to see provided of Cloaths and all other necessaries for the service they undertake.

3. The Haznadar Bashi, or Lord Treasurer of the Seraglio, who commands those Pages that attend the Treasury; I mean not that which is of present use, as to pay the Souldiery, or serve the publick and present occasions of the Empire, for that is in the hand of the Tefterdar; but that riches that is laid apart for the expences of the Court, and that which is amassed and piled up in several rooms of the Seraglio, of which there have been Collections and additions in the time almost of every Emperour, distinguished and divided by the names of the Sultans, through whose industry and frugality they had been acquired; but this wealth is conserved as sacred, not to be used or exposed, unless on occasions of extream emergency.

4. The Kilargi Bashi; that is, the chief Commander over the Pages, to whose care the charge of the dispensatory is committed, or expen∣ces for the daily provisions. Other Office•• there are of Eunuchs; as he that is first Master of Scholars for their books, called Ikingi Capa oglani and his Usher; the chief Miergidgi or Priest of the Grand Sig∣niors Mosque; under whom are two other assistants, for cleansing and well ordering of the Mosques.

These are the only Officers of the White Eunuchs, the others are of the commonalty, which are in uumber about fifty, and have ordi∣narily twelve Aspers a day pay, which also are augmented according to the Wakfi or Legacies of the deceased. Those that are Curates of the Royal Mosques, and have pluralities of benefices of that nature, have sometimes a revenue of a 100 chequins a day: among these also due order is observed, the younger or Junior's in the Seraglio, al∣wayes giving respect and reverence to Seniority.