Etiquette of Turkish Solon

Etiquette of Turkish Solon was"Quite Amusing" 

All Arose When a Member Entered the Chamber

The etiquette of the members of the Turkish chamber almost vies with the politeness of the young Chinese to his prospective father in-law, so amusingly told by Goldsmith.

At the commencement of the new era, either by accident or design, a custom arose that when any member of the house entered all those who were present rose from their seats and made their salaam to the newcomer. Even if a member was addressing the house, a breach in the speech was considered preferable to a breach of courtesy, consequently the orator paused, and the civilities complied with, proceedings resumed.             

The amenities proved themselves a nuisance, Grand Vizier, Ahmed Mukhtar Pasha, took the matter in hand, with the result that the house agreed that these courtesies should only be observed before the house was in session.

To put matters bluntly, these amenities proved themselves a nuisance. Mukhtar Pasha took the matter in hand, with the result that the house agreed that these courtesies should only be observed before the house was in session.

As the members drop in now, all in their seats rise and exchange compliments with the late comer, but as soon as business begins the belated one, metaphorically, like Longfellow's Arab, "folds his tent and silently steals" away into his seat. – From The San Francisco Call, 1911

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