This page has been validated.
62
OMNIANA.

for it appears on examination, that Padre Ottomano, though no Ottoman, was certainly no impostor. The author of this little book, who signs himself J. E., says that the story, as above related, was "the believed report at his being at Venice the very year this action fortuned, and it has since gained credit, and filled our ears and all the histories of this age as a thing unquestionable." But on the authority of a Persian whom he had known in England, he relates this as the real history of the child.

Sultan Ibrahim's Kislar Aga, or chief eunuch, bought a beautiful Russian slave for his harem, who soon proved to be pregnant. The Kislar Aga was greatly enraged at this; but as the infant happened to be exceedingly beautiful, he grew fond of it. The chief Sultana was brought to bed about the same time; being indisposed, she wanted a nurse for the young Turk, and the Kislar Aga,