Note (O) — THE HISTORY OF Solyman the Magnificent, and Mustapha his Son.
Reading edition
The Seraglio is the Emperor’s Palace, with large Gardens bordering on the Bosphorus, the Sea that parts Constantinople in Europe, and Scutari in Asia. There the Emperor’s Women are kept, each in favour having their particular Apartments, being generally attended by black Eunuchs, and those of the most deformed sort. The young Slaves are also brought up here in a large Apartment, near the Gate of the Seraglio and though the Sons of Slaves often rise to the highest Posts in the Empire; for in Turkey Birth is seldom regarded, but the greatest Merit rises to the highest Post, contrary to the Rules of other Nations, where Bribes and Favour promote the Worthless. At the age of twelve they are taken from the Seraglio, and employ’d in Business according to their Capacity.