Until the day comes when things improve, His Majesty’s representative must manage on his own. He may have been quickly transferred from another post. When he arrives, he brings only a couple of trunks and stays at a Turkish inn. He goes to the local bazaars to buy or rent some basic furniture. He also writes to English stores in Constantinople to order items like a frying pan and a teapot. He tries to keep his costs low, as he may be moved again in a month or two. Why spend too much on furniture when he might have to sell everything at a loss before leaving? He doesn’t know who will replace him or if that person will even want to buy his belongings.
Comfort in the Vice-Consul’s Room
Even with his simple life, the Vice-Consul’s small room has a special kind of comfort. In fact, it has something that you won’t find anywhere else in the city, not even in the home of the Vali (governor) himself: comfort. Comfort is the result of English civilization. People from other countries may think they have it, but they don’t fully understand what it is. In the United States, for example, you might find an imitation of English comfort. While it’s pleasant, it’s still just an imitation. If you compare a refined American home to a refined English home, the American home might seem more luxurious in terms of money spent, but luxury is not the same as comfort. The “indefinable something” in the English home that makes it feel truly comfortable is something even Americans quickly recognize and appreciate.
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