A Sitting of the New Turkish Parliament at Constantinople

Description

This engraving is a visual representation of the news item in the April 14, 1877 issue of The Illustrated London News, showing the interior of the first Ottoman National Assembly (Meclis-i Mebusan) in full session after the 1876 Constitution. Below is the Turkish translation of the news text regarding this engraving, preserving its original meaning. "We present the interior of the National Assembly hall while the Assembly was in full session. The building where the Senate and the National Assembly currently meet consists of two separate halls and is called the "Darülfünun" (Istanbul University since 1933). This structure is located near the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the former Greek cathedral. The building was partially constructed during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid for the Ottoman University, which had been planned since 1840, but was not completed until the Crimean War of 1854. During the war, the building was used as a military hospital for sick and wounded soldiers of the British army. Sometime after the war ended, the Ottoman government attempted to realize the university plan. A portion of the building was repaired and completed. Various professors in literary, historical, scientific, and other fields were appointed. One of these was Ahmed Vefik Efendi, the current Speaker of the National Assembly. He taught only two courses at the university, each on the philosophy of history. The only other professor who taught was a professor of chemistry, and his only lecture reportedly dealt with the miracles of alchemy rather than the principles of modern science. In short, the Ottoman University initiative was a complete failure, and like many liberal and beneficial projects in Turkey, it was shelved after a significant waste of public resources. Later, to allocate this large, vacant building to public service, the Ministries of Trade and Public Works occupied various parts of the building. Two floors recently vacated by the Ministry of Trade were repurposed for the two legislative bodies in accordance with the new constitution. These halls are identical, decorated, and furnished in the same manner. The only difference lies in the location of the "tribune," the platform or podium where the speaking member of parliament stands when addressing the Assembly. The hall is 52 feet long (approximately 16 meters) and 36 feet wide (approximately 11 meters). Its decoration is a blend of Renaissance, Moorish, and modern styles. The ceiling is decorated with linear patterns in various colors and some gilding. The front facades of the galleries feature Saracen (Islamic)-style ornamentation. The side galleries contain private boxes reserved for the Sultan, foreign ambassadors, and other distinguished guests. There is also a correspondents' gallery. As in other continental European parliaments, the members of the Assembly sit on benches with writing desks in front of them and are positioned opposite the podium where the President and Secretaries are located. This podium is accessed by a stepped passage rising from a gently sloping floor. The "tribune," or podium reserved for the speaking member, is located slightly below and in front of the President's platform. In the National Assembly, this podium is placed to the left of the President's chair, but in the Senate, it is to the President's right."