March iv.
Sir Robert Sutton, successor to my Lord Paget in his embassy to this port, who arrived at Adrianople about Christmas last, had now his audience of the grand vizír. My Lord Paget, with the retinue of his own family, and the English merchants now resident in this place, repaired to the palace of his successor about twelve a clock. At the same time came thither from the vizír, the chiaush bashá, with an horse richly furnished for Sir Robert, and about thirty others for the use of his retinue. From hence the two ambassadors conducted by the chiaush bashá, and attended by a large retinue of the English nation, proceeded to the palace of the vizír. Upon their arrival into the room of audience, the vizír soon entered, supported by his kayá and the reis effendi, and congratulated with acclamations from his whole attendance. He seated himself in a corner of the sophá, and the ambassadors sat before him on two stools. After the old ambassador had presented his successor, Mauro Cordato, who is master of the ceremonies, and dragoman to the Ottoman Port, gave and returned the ordinary forms. Then Sir Robert delivered his Majesty’s letter to the vizír, after which both ambassadors were treated with coffee, sherbet, and incense, and the whole ceremony at length concluded with the distribution of about twenty four caftans. The vizír is about sixty years of age, of short stature, and a meek serene countenance; tho at this time somewhat moved with concern for the loss of his only son of two years of age. At this ceremony he appeared in the selimée turbant, which is a cap of state, and was conceived to do an honour to the audience. It resembles the form of a sugar loaf, only indented at the bottom on four sides, and bound obliquely with a gold ribban.