There are three colleges in Turkey where the children of distinguished
men are educated and fitted for state employments. The children are
first approved by the grand signior before they are allowed to enter
these seminaries; and none dare come into his majesty's presence who are
not handsome and well-made. Silence is first taught them, and a becoming
behaviour to their superiors; then they are instructed in the Mahometan
faith, the Turkish and Persian languages, and afterwards in the Arabic.
At the age of twenty-one they are taught all manner of manly exercises,
and above all, the use of arms. As they advance to proficiency in these,
and other useful arts, and as government places become vacant, they are
preferred; but it is to be observed, that they generally attain the age
of forty before they are thought capable of being entrusted with
important slate affairs.
Those who hold any office under the grand signior are called his slaves;
the term slave, in Turkey, signifying the most honourable title a
subject can bear.
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